Gahanna Lincoln High School, March 24, 2026: Under a dimming sky at Gahanna High School, with clouds settling in and a strong crowd bundled along the fences, Scioto opened its season Tuesday night in a game that felt every bit like a true early-season test. The chill in the air never quite left, but the energy in the stands carried the night from first pitch to the final out.
Scioto wasted no time making a statement.
Avery Reynolds launched a solo home run to left in the opening inning, giving the Irish an early spark and a 1-0 lead. Gahanna Lincoln answered quickly in the bottom half, stringing together singles from Amira Evans and Lauren Guthrie to edge back in front.
From there, the game settled into a rhythm of punches and counterpunches.
Scioto evened things up in the third when Gina Wasko fought off an 0-2 pitch and sent it into center field to tie the game. An inning later, Abbi Clark delivered again — this time ripping a triple to give the Irish a 3-2 advantage and briefly swing momentum back their way.
But the Lions responded in the fourth, capitalizing on an error before Aubrey Yekisa lined a two-run single to reclaim control. Still, Scioto refused to fade. In the sixth, Clark came through with a sacrifice fly and Maria Wasko followed with a productive groundout, knotting the game once more as the light began to fade.
In the circle, Reynolds battled through six innings, allowing just three earned runs while striking out six, keeping Scioto within striking distance all night.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the sixth.
Gahanna Lincoln took advantage of key opportunities, using an error, a sacrifice bunt from Ava Miller, and another timely hit from Evans to push across the go-ahead runs. With the momentum shifting late, the Lions closed the door from there.
Scioto showed flashes throughout its season opener, but Gahanna Lincoln pulled away late to hand the Irish an 8–5 loss.
Next up: Scioto returns home Wednesday to face Granville! We’ll see you all out there for the first home game of the season. Please come out and cheer the ladies on!!!
And GO IRISH!!!
