Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — When Zane Trace’s Brynn Wipert is in her bag, good luck beating her.
On Wednesday, Wipert brought her best stuff and spun an absolute gem in the biggest spot of her career thus far.
The senior threw seven innings of two-hit softball, allowing an earned run and whiffing nine hitters in a 4-2 win over No. 3 seeded Ironton in a Division V district semifinal at Ohio University.
She was, in a word, incredible.
“Brynn had a phenomenal performance tonight,” Zane Trace coach Morgan York said. “She hit her spots, and went at every batter she faced. She was just as stellar in the box.”
As good as Wipert was, she got plenty of help from her teammates as the Pioneers (10-17) gave her a three-run cushion before she ever stepped foot in the circle.
Haylynn Boggess-Pierce began the night with a single before Maddie Will walked with one out. Wipert then singled to load the bases, making way for Laynie Scott to knock in a run with a bunt single, making it 1-0.
Reagan Arthurs then worked a five-pitch walk, making it 2-0, before Carlie Clark followed suit, sealing a three-run inning — a cushion that proved to be enough throughout the rest of the night.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
“I am beyond proud of this team,” York said. “They are showing up every day with heart and hustle and it is showing. The key to tonight’s win was capitalizing in the first inning. Every single person in the lineup did a job, and had quality at-bats.”
In the third, the lead swelled to 4-0 when Wipert — who had earlier singled — scored on a fielding error.
Ironton finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning when shortstop Khamil Martin homered, making it 4-1. Later in the inning, they’d score again, this time thanks to an error, to cut the deficit in half.
But Wipert settled in and induced a fly out to end any further threat, sending ZT into a district final.
“I think this win shows where Zane Trace softball is heading again,” York said. “The present and the future are bright and exciting.”
Boggess-Pierce ended the night 2-for-4 with a run while Arthurs was 2-for-2 with a walk and a run. Wipert also finished 2-for-2 with two runs to go alongside her stellar night in the circle.
Ironton (19-7) was led by Martin, who was 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI, while Ava Bihl ended 1-for-2 with a double.
As the Fighting Tigers’ season comes to an end, the Pioneers advance to a Division V district final at 5 p.m. on Friday at Ohio University. They’ll meet with Piketon, who run-ruled Eastern Brown to advance on Wednesday.
In the two’s previous meeting this season, the Redstreaks earned two wins by 10-0 and 7-2 finals.
“When we played [Piketon], we did not execute the little things,” York said. “Doing the little things, communication, aggressiveness, hitting spots, will go a long way for us. I know my girls will show up and give it all they have, and I couldn’t ask for more.”
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