Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — Just over a month ago, in a game that it was heavily favored in, Chillicothe suffered a shutout loss at the hands of crosstown rival Unioto.
They walked into that contest at 7-0, and they walked away with a tough lesson to swallow.
But that was then and this is now.
The Cavaliers have taken that lesson, chewed on it, digested it and have grown tremendously from it.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
That was more than apparent on Thursday when they avenged the loss with a dominant 11-1 six-inning win over the Shermans in a Division III district quarterfinal.
Unioto upset Chillicothe on April 10, but the Cavaliers (17-6) won when it mattered most.
“At this time of the year, the most important thing is that you move on,” Chillicothe coach Andrea Morgan said. “We talked about timing being everything. Earlier in the year, [beating Unioto] just wasn’t meant to happen. We needed to prove to ourselves growth and grace. Those were the two things we talked about. That’s what mattered the most about this game. The girls saw those things. Winning, at this point, is a must. But win or lose, that growth and grace, for them to see it, it builds confidence.”
Confidence is something that sophomore pitcher CJ Rittinger doesn’t lack, and Thursday was the latest example.
The flamethrower went the distance in the circle, mowing down Unioto’s usually dangerous lineup with relative ease. Her final stat line included no earned runs on three hits and 13 strikeouts — surpassing the 400-strikeout mark in her young career.
“She’s a remarkable kid,” Morgan said of Rittinger. “She works hard and she’s remarkable because she puts in the work. She understands what it takes to be remarkable. That’s what we feel the luckiest about, to be a part of this team with her. She’s rare. She’s a mermaid. There aren’t too many girls that are as committed at this level [as Rittinger]. She really counts on her team, but she also doesn’t mind carrying it. She’s learning and growing with that balance.”
PHOTOS: Images from Chillicothe’s district quarterfinal win over Unioto
After a scoreless first, Chillicothe’s offense erupted in a big way in the bottom of the second.
Isabella Witte led off the frame with a single before moving to third on two consecutive groundouts. She’d then score on a throwing error to make it a 1-0 ballgame.
After a single via Danika Simpson put runners on second and third — on the throw — the Shermans (14-10) decided to intentionally walk Rittinger to create a force out.
That led to Vivian Morgan, who took offense to that decision.
On a 1-2 pitch, Morgan smoked a ball into center field, clearing the bases with a three-run double and extending the lead to 4-0. Cadie Boltenhouse then knocked in Morgan with a double of her own, capping a five-run frame.
“The first time we played [Chillicothe] this season, we lost 1-0,” Boltenhouse siad. “I think we went into that game thinking, ‘That’s Unioto. That’s our rival. We have to beat them.’ But today, we went in more relaxed. We knew we could do this. We know we’re a good team and we know we can hit.”
The Shermans got a run back in the top of the fourth when Mackenzie Paugh singled, moved around the base paths and eventually scored on a passed ball.
But Chillicothe immediately answered in the bottom half when Morgan scored on a wild pitch, making it a 6-1 tally. In the fifth, the Cavaliers blew the doors off the hinges with a four-spot — scoring on a fielding error, an RBI groundout from Rittinger and a two-run triple from Boltenhouse.
They put the icing on the cake in the sixth when Rittinger singled to knock in Bri Cousins, cementing the 10-run rule.
“We’re very connected with our seniors,” Rittinger said. “They’re always hyping people up and we just want to keep winning for them so they can have the best and longest season they can have. Beating Unioto starts [the tournament run] off great. Our seniors have never beaten Unioto before. So that’s a great win.”
Morgan led the Cavaliers’ offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, three runs and three RBIs while Boltenhouse was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and three RBIs. Along with her work in the circle, Rittinger was 2-for-4 at the dish with two RBIs.
Cousins, Simpson and Josie Huddleston also collected two hits apiece.
As for Unioto, Paugh, McKenna Williams and Mackenzie Welch accounted for the team’s three base knocks.
While the Shermans’ season comes to a close, Chillicothe now looks towards a Division III district semifinal at 5 p.m., Monday at Logan High School. There, the Cavaliers will meet with Sheridan, who beat Athens by an 11-1 final to advance.
“We have to stay focused,” Morgan said. “We’ve been talking a lot about our mental toughness and what that takes. We have what it takes to win games, but we have to know what it takes at that moment. Right then. That grit and that desire … that’s what I need from them on Monday.”
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