April 13, 2024 – Reynoldsburg High School: On a blustery Saturday at Reynoldsburg High School’s Summit Campus, the Scioto Irish engaged in a double-header that was a tale of two games against the Reynoldsburg Raiders.
Game One:
Leah Matter’s offensive prowess was on full display in the opener as she single-handedly drove in five of Scioto’s 12 runs.
Her third-inning homer over the center-field wall brought three runners home, setting the tone for a high-scoring inning to come.
In the fourth, Matter was crucial again, delivering a two-run single as part of a nine-run outburst that essentially sealed the game for Scioto. During this inning, Gigi Rodriguez grounded out to bring home a run, Faith Kinzer and Sandra Phrakornkham each added RBI singles, and Lexie Richie doubled to drive in another. A passed ball allowed another run to score, contributing to the final tally of 12-2 in favor of Scioto.
On the mound, Lexie Richie turned in a commanding performance, giving up just two unearned runs across five innings while striking out four and walking three.
Her counterpart, Alexandria Turner, struggled, surrendering 11 earned runs on 11 hits in just three and two-thirds innings of work.
Game Two:
The second game was a heart-stopper that ended in a dramatic fashion.
Tied at 12 in the bottom of the seventh, Reynoldsburg’s Ariana Winter delivered a game-winning single, pushing the Raiders to a narrow 13-12 victory.
Scioto compiled 15 hits in this slugfest, matched closely by Reynoldsburg’s 17.
The Raiders initiated scoring early with two runs in the first inning, capitalizing on a Scioto error and a single by Hayden. They extended their lead in the second, highlighted by Turner’s grand slam.
Scioto clawed back into contention in the fourth, with runs batted in by Lyla Magnussen, Sophia Jackson, and Hahni Miller. However, Reynoldsburg responded in kind, with key hits from Winter, Wesley, and Pearce.
The seesaw battle continued into the sixth, where Abbi Clark went yard with a two-run dinger for Scioto set the stage for a tense finish!
Jackson’s walk in the seventh temporarily leveled the scores, setting up Winter’s heroics.
Jackson shouldered the loss after yielding five earned runs out of 13 total on 17 hits through six and one-third innings. In contrast, Katie Bishop, despite allowing 15 hits and 12 runs, clinched the win for Reynoldsburg, thanks in part to Scioto’s inability to capitalize fully on their numerous baserunners.
Scioto’s resilience at the plate was evident as they amassed a notable 10 walks, with Kinzer, Clark, and Magnussen each earning two free passes. On the defensive end, Reynoldsburg remained flawless, committing no errors and turning a critical double play.
As the dust settles on this high-octane double-header, the Scioto Irish prepare to regroup and face off against Worthington Kilbourne on Monday — in another Battle of Hard Road — hoping to channel the tenacity and offensive firepower shown in these games into a commanding victory.
Go Irish!
