Hilliard Davidson High School, March 22nd: On a cold and windy Saturday afternoon at Hilliard, the Irish wasted no time heating up the scoreboard in their opening game of the triad, dismantling the Bishop Ready Knights by a final score of 14–2.
The Irish struck first in the top of the first inning, thanks to a sharp single off the bat of Avery Reynolds that brought a runner across and set the tone for the rest of the contest.
Scioto added another tally in the second when Abbi Clark grounded out to bring home a run, making it 2–0. But it was in the third that Scioto offense truly found its rhythm.
With Alexis Richie leading off the third with a single to center, the floodgates opened. Maria Wasko followed with a base knock of her own, and then Katy Joseph roped a double to center to drive in another. Clark chipped in again with a productive groundout, each of those at-bats bringing in a run and extending the Irish lead to 5–0.
The knockout blow came in the fifth. The Irish exploded for six runs on six hits, turning a strong lead into a rout. Gina Wasko got it started with a run-scoring groundout. Richie punched an RBI single, and an error by the Knights allowed three more runs to score. Sophia Jackson capped the frame with another RBI single, pushing the lead to double digits.
On the mound, Richie was in complete control. The right-hander threw five solid innings, allowing just two unearned runs on two hits while striking out nine and walking two. Her command and composure never wavered, earning her the win in dominant fashion.
C. Kershner took the loss for the Knights, working all five innings and allowing 14 runs—only five of which were earned—on 15 hits. Kershner struck out five and walked one in the effort.
Offensively, Dublin was relentless. Jackson, hitting out of the seven-hole, went 3-for-4 to lead the team in hits. Richie and Gigi Rodriguez each drove in a pair of runs, while Joseph, Reynolds, and Wasko each notched multi-hit games. Scioto also showed their speed on the bases, swiping six bags—two apiece from Wasko and Richie—to keep pressure on the Bishop Ready defense all afternoon.
For the Knights, M. Gerardi and A. McCoy each logged a hit, while N. Worhle drove in their lone RBI of the contest.
With the big win under their belts, the Irish moved on to the second game of the triad against Davidson.
Go Irish!
