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Brock Netter

Brock is SOSA's primary writer and has worked for the Coshocton Tribune, the Kankakee Daily Journal (Ill.), the Vinton-Jackson Courier and the Jackson Telegram. He's a six-time award-winning journalist, a lifelong WWE fan, a suffering Bengals fan and calls the sidelines his home.

Hillsboro looks dominant, breezes by Vinton County in district semifinal

The Indians will now meet with Circleville or South Point in a district final.

Brock Netter, Editor

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

LOGAN — For the last three seasons, Hillsboro’s senior class has had the program knocking at the door of a district championship. 

It’s the one prize that’s eluded the group’s collective grasp. But after Tuesday, the Indians will have one final chance to kick the door down and claim what they’ve worked so hard to capture.

Led by dominance on both sides of the ball from Camryn Spruell, the Indians (19-3) battled and fought their way to a 6-2 victory over Vinton County in a Division IV district semifinal in Logan.

Hillsboro’s Addie Huff swings at a pitch during a game earlier this season at Hillsboro High School.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA

“There are eight seniors on this team and seven of us are starters, so it’s win or our high school careers are over,” Hillsboro’s Camryn Spruell said. “We want to win and it’s important to us. This wasn’t our best or cleanest game, but we did enough to win and advance.” 

One thing opposing teams have done at times throughout the season is pitch around Spruell. 

However, Vinton County (8-9) wasn’t scared and decided to attack the Ball State University commit at the dish. 

That plan backfired in the bottom of the third when Spruell came to the dish with a runner on. She worked a 1-1 count and took the next pitch for a ride over the fence, putting the Indians ahead 2-0. 

“I saw the perfect pitch right there and I knew I was swinging at anything that was close to the plate,” Spruell said. “I didn’t like the first two pitches I saw, but that next one I wasn’t passing up and it all goes back to me being a senior, not wanting to go home.“

The Indians weren’t finished adding runs, though, as RBI singles from Addie Huff and Reagan Clemons extended the lead to 4-0. 

The rain fell swiftly throughout the game, leading to some wet and slippery softballs being thrown. It also helped Vinton County score two runs on wild pitches in the fifth, cutting the deficit to 4-2. 

However, Spruell was in a zone as she continued to blow pitches past Viking batters, despite the soaking conditions. 

As the game progressed, the Indians were closing in on the victory, but Isabelle Brunck gave her teammate extra insurance with a two-run single into right field, marking the final tally.

“In my first two at-bats, I wasn’t waiting on the ball at all. So being focused and having patience was my approach,” Brunck said. “She gave me an outside pitch and it looked pretty good, so I just tried to take it backside and it worked out.” 

Spruell finished the night 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs while also getting the win in the circle with 17 strikeouts. 

Brunck was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Clemons was 2-for-3 with an RBI. 

As Vinton County’s season comes to an end, Hillsboro advances to a Division IV district championship at 3 p.m., Friday at Logan High School. The Indians will face the winner of Circleville and South Point. 

SPONSORED BY WILLIS-CLARK AGENCY

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