Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — House money.
That’s what Meigs is playing with from this point forward.
Following last year’s loss in a district semifinal, the Marauders had one goal — make it back to Athens and get over the district title hump.
That’s exactly what happened on Saturday afternoon as they ousted Southeastern by a 7-2 count in a Division V district championship game — claiming the program’s first district title in 46 years.
“It’s just extraordinary,” Meigs coach Collin Roush said. “Like I said, when we lost here last year, it was the number one goal to win the league and win the district. We said it everyday in practice. We made a schedule to achieve that goal. It came true tonight. I’m so happy for the girls. Just seeing them grow up and being around them, being the second team in history to do this, it’s overwhelming.”
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
While senior pitcher Natalie Goode sailed in the circle, her teammates supported her efforts by spreading out 10 hits throughout the day, consistently putting pressure on Southeastern’s defense.
“I thought we hit the ball really well,” Roush said. “The balls that we put in play were shots. Our approach, we worked the count, took what we had and drove the ball. We ran the bases well, too. And the defense was there. It was just a complete game. We showed up and took care of business.”
From the get-go, Meigs (26-2) was in control.
Kyleigh Kranyik scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the first inning for the game’s first score before Payton Kranyik worked a bases-loaded walk, making it 2-0. When Jordin Davenport grounded out later in the frame, the Marauders were the owners of a 3-0 lead.
Southeastern (20-9) provided an answer in the top of the second with a two-run single from Mallorie Elam, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
But Goode settled in from that point forward.
Meigs immediately got the two runs back in the bottom half of the inning as Ava Horn and Aubrey Newell logged RBI singles, making it a 5-2 count.
Newell followed that up with an RBI double in the fourth, making it 6-2.
“Her work ethic is unmatched,” Roush said of Newell. “Aubrey works hard. She goes to hitting lessons, she hits outside of softball and that’s what younger girls have to understand. If you want to be a batter like Aubrey, you have to put the time in like she does. She’s not just a good hitter, she’s a great kid. The moment doesn’t get too big for her, either. She handles business.”
The game’s final run came on an RBI single from Goode in the bottom of the sixth.
In the seventh, Southeastern popped out, grounded out and grounded out with a runner on, sealing the deal and securing the Marauders a police escort back to Pomeroy.
Newell finished the night 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs while Horn went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Bella Roush chipped in, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, and Kyleigh Kranyik ended 1-for-3 with a double, three runs and an RBI.
In the circle, Goode went the distance, using 86 pitches to allow just five hits while striking out two. She was also 3-for-4 at the dish with an RBI.
Elam led the Panthers’ offensive efforts, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Molly Lowry, Jade Turner, Ally Fisher and Gracie Brown all had a base hit each.
While the Panthers’ season comes to a close, Meigs advances to a Division V regional semifinal at 5 p.m., Wednesday at Ohio University.
The Marauders will meet with Tuscarawas Valley, who beat Coshocton to advance.
“There’s no nerves,” Roush said. “We’re the dangerous team right now. Nobody expected us to get this far. The girls are playing with confidence and we’re playing great ball right now. So we’re going to ride this out and see how far we can go, and how much history we can make.”
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