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CIRCLEVILLE — No matter the back drop, there’s always some extra juice when it comes to playing your crosstown rival.
That especially happens when Circleville and Logan Elm cross paths and on Tuesday, the Tigers took home bragging rights.
Behind a stout pitching performance from Gabby McConnell, combined with top-notch defense and a small ball approach on offense, the Tigers (6-4, 5-1 MSL-Buckeye) seized a 3-1 victory over the Braves.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
“This was a really solid game all around and I thought the middle of our lineup did a really nice job of getting on base and being able to manufacture some runs,” Circleville coach Hayden Ellis said. “Overall, we do need to begin producing more offense moving forward. But we got some clutch hits and scored the runs needed to win.”
The Tigers’ offense produced just two hits. But McConnell’s ability to make batters whiff and register groundouts in the circle proved to be the game-changer.
She went the distance, allowing just an earned run while striking out eight batters in the process.
“We talk a lot about setting the tone with the first pitch, and Gabby came out throwing a lot of first pitch strikes,” Ellis said. “She threw around the zone and mixed in her change-up very well. The ability to throw that pitch on any count and keep hitters off-balance was a huge factor. Defensively, we did a lot of the little things right and that’s something we’ve talked a lot about lately. We really focused on making plays and working from the ground up.”
After stranding a Brave runner on base to open the game, Circleville drew first blood in the bottom of the first when Kaylee West notched an RBI single to shallow left field, putting the Tigers ahead 1-0.
Later in the inning, with two outs and a runner on, a fielding error allowed a runner to cross the plate, pushing the lead to 2-0.
Logan Elm missed a chance to equalize with a pair of runners on in the third, and Circleville took advantage of that mistake in the bottom half.
With two ducks on the pond, West laid down a bunt and beat the throw. On the throw, Makaylee Holbrook slid safely into home to extend the team’s lead to 3-0.
“Getting a bunt down puts a lot of pressure on a defense, and it’s really nice to be able to do that one through nine,” Ellis said. “Not many teams expect a three our foul-hole hitter to be bunting, which is a big advantage for us. Our base running has gotten a lot better, which is something we’ve worked on and continue to work on.”
From that point on, all eyes were on McConnell and Circleville’s defense. One any ball struck, the Tigers were there to make the play.
Through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, the Braves (8-2, 3-2 MSL-Buckeye) posed no scoring threats and couldn’t time up McConnell to make solid contact.
However, the Braves did put some pressure on in their final at-bat.
With a runner on second and two outs, Sadie Binkley stepped up and delivered an RBI double that cut the lead to 3-1. However, a pop out sealed the deal, and the win, for the Tigers.
“There’s definitely a level of confidence that comes from winning a game like this,” Ellis said. “We’re a young team, but capable of doing a lot of great things. We knew this was a county rival who has played really good softball this season. But the girls came ready to play and were locked in from the opening pitch.”
After McConnell’s final stat line, West finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Binkley tossed six innings in a losing effort, striking out 14 batters in the process.
Circleville returns to action on Thursday at home against Waverly, while Logan Elm hosts Teays Valley in MSL action.
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