Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
LOGAN — It was never a matter of if, but a matter of when.
Throughout the last four years, Hillsboro’s talent has never been a question. But the Indians have had some unfortunate luck in the tournament and have endured some tough lessons while battling for hardware.
All of those growing pains and moments of defeat came full circle on Friday as Hillsboro (20-3) shutout Circleville by a 5-0 final, claiming the third district championship in program history.
“This is just the first step of where we’re hoping to go, but this means absolutely everything to the girls and the program,” Hillsboro coach Gary Breeden said. “It’s been a long haul. There have been a ton of great players and teams to come through the program, but all I can really say is that this is special.”
CREDIT: John Howley/Sporting Pumpkin
It’s the Indians’ first district championship since 2002.
“We’ve gotten knocked out earlier than hoped for the past three years, but this is so amazing to finally have the district title in our hands,” Hillsboro’s Camryn Spruell said. “Circleville knocked us out last year, so we were mad about that and it was definitely nice to get a little revenge.”
The Indians have never needed an overload of run support with Spruell taking the circle. But she helped her own cause to get the ball rolling.
In the bottom of the third, she notched an RBI groundout for the game’s first run to put her Indians ahead 1-0.
Turns out, that was truly all she needed on the night.
Her defense was right behind her any time a Circleville (11-15) batter made contact, making the plays while Spruell continued to spin the ball at an elite pace.
“We have each other’s backs no matter what and we are a team that doesn’t give up,” Hillsboro’s Rhianna Clemons said. “What helps is that we all have short memories, so if an error is made, we move on from it quickly. There’s a common goal that we all have and that’s what we’re working towards.”
Circleville kept within an arm’s reach as the game progressed, but Hillsboro blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth.
After singles from Spruell, Myleah Fridlay and Madison Dearmon loaded the bases, Chloe Roberts smacked a two-run double that extended the lead to 3-0.
On the same play, Circleville committed a throwing error that paved the way for Roberts and another runner to score, pushing the lead to 5-0.
“I just see the ball and hit the ball. Too much thinking in the box usually goes pretty bad for me. So I keep my approach as simple as possible,” Roberts said. “I remembered that last year I struck out in a similar moment that could have won us the game, So luckily, I got a second chance and made the most of it.”
The Indians then quickly recorded the final six outs, a sequence that ended with Spruell notching a strikeout — rightfully so — sending the Indian faithful into a frenzy.
“I was a part of that 2002 team, and this feeling is just like that one was,” Breeden said. “It means so much for the community who throws their support behind these girls. They have worked so hard and our freshmen class has pushed these seniors, and vice versa. We tell the girls all the time that there’s no pressure on us. It’s all on our opponent to beat us because we’re going to play Hillsboro softball and take every team’s best shot.”
Spruell picked up the win in the circle, allowing just three hits and striking out 13 batters. She also went 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Roberts finished 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
As Circleville’s season comes to an end, Hillsboro moves to a Division IV regional semifinal against McConnelsville Morgan, who beat Indian Valley by a 2-0 final to advance.
That game will happen at 2 p.m., Wednesday at Philo High School.
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