Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
GROVEPORT — Symmes Valley’s Autumn Justice said something striking in Wednesday’s postgame interview.
“Our main hitters were struggling a lot and I usually struggle if they do.”
In a Division VII regional semifinal — one of the program’s most important games in quite some time — Justice was the team’s main hitter.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
The Vikings’ left fielder drove in two runs, one that tied the game and one that added cushion to the lead, in a 4-1 win over Newark Catholic at Groveport-Madison High School.
Justice’s two hits were the centerpiece to a win that sent Symmes Valley (27-2) into the Elite 8.
“That was big tonight for [Justice],” Symmes Valley coach Odie Estep said. “We’ve been in this situation several times this year and our kids have held their composure. We’ve made very few errors all year and we’ve scored enough runs to make good things happen.”
Justice’s heroics at the plate were matched by the heroics of Brenna Tibbs in the circle.
The junior was outstanding, again, in a big moment. She went the distance to collect the victory, scattering six hits without an earned run and striking out five.
“She’s set the tone all year long for us,” Estep said of Tibbs. “What happens starts in the circle and finishes there. Now, we have a great team around her and we have supplied her with run support. But she just keeps on going. She’s a workhorse. When she struggles a little bit, she stays after it and she works out of it.”
PHOTOS: Images from Symmes Valley’s regional win over Newark Catholic
Newark Catholic (10-15) took an early lead, going ahead 1-0 on an RBI single from Veronica Bailey in the top of the first inning.
But Tibbs continued to hang zeroes from that point on.
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ offense went to work, gracing the scoreboard in the bottom of the second.
After a single from Alyssa Waugh started the frame, she stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. With one out, Justice came to the plate and laced a 1-2 offering into right field to tie the game.
Kaycee Thompson then gave the Vikings a 2-1 lead with an RBI double — a lead they’d never relinquish.
“This team is one of the top ones I’ve had,” Estep said. “I don’t want to compare season to season, but this is one of the top ones. It’s my 34th year and what makes this group stand out is their energy. I don’t care if we’re up one run or down one run, they still have energy in the dugout and they have energy coming off the field. It’s been that way all year and they just have a lot of love for each other. You can see that.”
In the fourth, Justice added a second RBI single, driving in Waugh once again, for a 3-1 count before Marley Ferguson put a cap on the night’s scoring in the fifth with an RBI double that scored Tibbs.
Tibbs took things from there, retiring the side in order in the top of the sixth and stranding a runner in the seventh to slam the door shut.
Statistically, Justice was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs while Ferguson finished 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Waugh also chipped in, going 2-for-3 with two runs while Tibbs added a hit and a run to her pitching efforts.
Symmes Valley now advances to a Division VII regional final at 5 p.m., Friday at Groveport-Madison. The Vikings will meet with Notre Dame — a 3-1 winner over Conotton Valley.
A win would put Symmes Valley in its first state semifinal since 2005.
“They’re good, we’re good. We’ll match up and see what happens,” Estep said. “I think coming in here Friday, we’re going to hit and they’re going to hit. We’re both good hitting teams. The team that makes the least amount of mistakes is the team that’s going to walk out with a regional championship. That’s my honest opinion.”
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