April 16, 2024 – Dublin Scioto High School: In the hallowed grounds of Scioto High, under a sky as clear as a well-loved diamond, the Irish lasses, led by the indomitable Lexie Richie, put forth a display of softball sorcery that left the Westerville South Wildcats chasing shadows and dust.
It was a fine spring Tuesday, the sort that calls for a good old game of softball, and Richie, the star twirler for Dublin, was in rare form indeed, striking out 13 poor souls who dared stand before her.
The first clash of willow and leather saw Maria Wasko, a dame with a swing as sweet as a serenade, drive a double that brought home two runs faster than you can say “Jack Robinson.”
This bit of stick work gave the Irish the jumpstart they needed, and by the time the fifth frame rolled around, they were cooking on all cylinders. Sandra Phrakornkham, with a swing like the crack of doom, sent one sailing to center field and was fleet of foot enough for an inside the park round-tripper, while Wasko, not content with her earlier exploits, tripled to plate another tally!
The Wildcats, under the guidance of Katie Sherman, found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-1 drubbing. Sherman, a righty with a cannon for an arm, tossed the sphere for six innings but was undone by the relentless Irish assault. Her line—four runs on five hits—told the sad tale of her day.
Wasko, the hero with the bat, ended her day a perfect three for three, driving in a pair of runs and scoring one herself. Dublin’s keen-eyed batters drew walks six times, with Leah Matter and Sophia Jackson each earning free passes twice, adding to the team’s tactical maneuvers on the base paths. Phrakornkham, fleet of foot, stole three bases herself, contributing to the Irish’s total of four thefts.
For Westerville South, Ari Nagle swung the lone bright stick, knocking in their only run of the contest. The Wildcats, despite their loss, displayed a defense as tight as a drum, not allowing a single error, with Maddie Millington shining brightest, involved in six plays.
As the sun set on this titanic struggle, the Irish marched off, victors, bound for Canal Winchester on the morrow, their spirits high and their eyes set on further glory.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, were left to ponder what might have been in the quiet of a spring evening that whispered of might and maybe.
The Irish sure do have moxie, though! Go get ’em, Scioto!
