Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CIRCLEVILLE — Gallia Academy got just what it wanted on Thursday night — a chance.
A chance to hold on late, a chance to stay in the lead, and a chance to advance to a district semifinal.
And when the Blue Angels (13-13) recognized they had each and every one of those opportunities, they took full advantage of all three.
Led at the plate by Kinsey Mitchell and Kendall Eddy, Gallia Academy hit the road and picked up a huge tournament win at Circleville by a 7-5 final in a Division IV district quarterfinal.
“We were actually talking about the probability because one of our math teachers said that we had little to no chance, considering the two times in other sports [volleyball and boys basketball] that Circleville beat us in,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t have a choice after he said that. We had to win, not just for us and our season, but also to prove him wrong.”
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Typically, it’s a team’s middle of the lineup that’s the most dangerous.
However, Mitchell, who batted seventh, turned in a perfect day at the dish by going 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Right behind her in eighth was Eddy, who only had one hit on the evening, but made it count as part of her three-RBI day.
“It was really great to see the bottom of the lineup produce the runs and hit the ball the way they did tonight,” Gallia Academy coach Cierra Roberts said. “Kinsey and Kendall stepped up huge, and it was exactly what we needed with the middle of the lineup getting on base. These girls are more than capable of winning against anyone. We just have to be more consistent with our play.”
After getting out of a jam to open the game, Circleville (15-12) struck the scoreboard first.
A two-out fielding error from GA kept the inning alive, putting Kaylee West on third. She scored on a wild pitch, putting the Tigers ahead 1-0.
The Blue Angels responded, and Mitchell’s big day was about to begin. With a runner on first, she tattooed a 1-2 offering and legged out an RBI triple. She later scored on a throwing error, giving the Blue Angels a 2-1 lead.
They added to the advantage in the next two innings on a Tiger fielding error in the third, followed by a sacrifice fly from Eddy in the fourth, making it a 4-1 lead.
Eddy stepped up again in the fifth with the bases loaded and smacked a two-run double that landed on the left field foul line to go up 6-1.
“I actually didn’t feel the ball hit my bat, but all I heard was my coach and everyone else screaming so I took off,” Eddy said. “He told me to take two, so I did and I remember that I was just smiling from ear to ear.”
Circleville, however, began to fight back.
With runners on second and third and no outs, Audrey Cowdery laid down a sacrifice bunt to score a runner. That was followed by an RBI single to center field from Jenna Boring, cutting the deficit in half to 6-3.
Clarie Davis added to the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a solo blast over the right field fence, trimming the count to 6-4 going into the seventh.
Gallia still maintained a lead, thought, and Mitchell wanted to add a little extra comfort. With a runner on second and one out in the top of the seventh, she smoked an RBI single down the right field line to push the lead to 7-4.
“Before I step in the box, my thought has always been, ‘God, give me strength,'” Mitchell said. “I always tell myself that I’m swinging if it’s a good pitch. no matter what. And as long as I get a hit, that’s all that matters.”
Although Circleville got a run back in the bottom half off a fielding error, the Blue Angels got a pop out and a ground out to secure the victory and advance their season into the next round.
“I’m so proud of the girls for the way they pushed through and kept going despite having some errors from time to time,” Roberts said. “Their attitude and effort was incredible, and the energy was great, which is an area that we’ve struggled with at times. They played a great game and I’m happy for them to make it back to district semifinals once again.”
Following Mitchell’s three-hit night was Eddy, who was 1-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. Chloe Bennett earned the victory in the circle, allowing just one earned run.
For Circleville, Cowery finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and Boring was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Davis added a solo home run.
While Circleville’s season comes to an end, Gallia Academy advances to a Division IV district semifinal at 6 p.m., Monday at Logan High School. The Blue Angels will face Logan Elm, who beat Fairfield Union to advance.
SPONSORS
THE ROOT SPORTS & FITNESS CENTER
HOMELAND CREDIT UNION
