Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
AKRON — Before the season started, Hillsboro had four goals it wanted to accomplish.
Heading into Wednesday’s game, it had already marked off three.
Only two wins stood in front of the ultimate prize.
That number has now been cut in half.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
The Indians (23-3) stayed patient and fought through some early jams before putting up six runs late in the game, sealing a 7-1 victory over Lakeview in a Division IV state semifinal at Akron’s Firestone Stadium.
“This was nothing more than a typical game for us. We take a couple innings to figure out what the other team is doing and then turn it on from the third inning on,” Hillsboro coach Gary Breeden said. “Despite a few atypical things happening, we’ve continued to play our brand of softball and it’s led to a successful postseason.”
Hillsboro will officially play with a state championship on the line.
“We hadn’t made it past the district level for a long time, and that was exciting for us to finally get over that hump,” Hillsboro’s Madison Dearmon said. “This was our goal at the beginning of the season and to think that we’re here now is amazing.
“We’ve never done this before, nor has any team ever in our school’s history, so why not us? Yes, we’re from a small little town that few people have heard of, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t possible. We own that we’re from Hillsboro and we’re here to make history.”
After two scoreless innings, Lakeview (22-5) graced the scoreboard first in the bottom of the third inning.
Kennedy Bartlett reached second, thanks to a fielder’s choice and a walk. After two wild pitches, she crossed the dish to put the Bulldogs up 1-0.
Hillsboro responded in the fourth, though.
After a leadoff walk to Chloe Roberts and a single from Isabelle Brunck, a groundout moved both runners. Addley Miller then notched an RBI groundout to tie the game at 1-1.
Spruell worked out of a jam in the bottom of the fourth, and that was the spark her Indians needed entering the top of the fifth.
Lakeview had made a pitching change and had recorded the first two outs of the inning.
However, Hillsboro drew a walk, which was followed by a single from Spruell. That led to three straight RBI singles from Roberts, Isabelle Brunck and Addie Huff to give the Indians a 4-1 advantage.
“I think the difference in speed is what got us going. [Lakeview starting pitcher Ava] Bacon is a really good pitcher who works low and outside,” Breeden said. “But once they made the switch and brought in someone with a little more speed, our girls are more comfortable hitting against a faster thrower. She also threw a little higher, so we saw the ball a little better.”
It was, essentially, a knockout punch.
That momentum never left the Indians’ dugout.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
They added three more runs off a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single from Brunck in the top of the sixth, before recording the final six outs, punching their state championship ticket.
“It all came down to being patient and waiting for the ball to come to me,” Brunck said. “It all worked out. Honestly, I don’t know what else to say besides that. I’m truly speechless. This is such a great feeling.”
Spruell earned the win in the circle, tossing all seven innings, allowing just four hits and striking out 13 batters.
Brunck finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Roberts was 2-for-2 with two RBIs, and both Huff and Miller added a hit and an RBI each.
Hillsboro advances to the Division IV state championship against Kenton Ridge, who defeated Lexington 4-3 on a walk-off single.
That game will happen at 3 p.m., Thursday at Akron’s Firestone Stadium.
“We’ll enjoy this tonight for sure, but we’ll be ready once tomorrow gets here,” Spruell said. “I’ll be better tomorrow. I can’t give up six walks in the state championship. I’ll be ready.”
SPONSORS
WILLIS-CLARK AGENCY
WILLEY & SON TRUCKING
