CLAYTON – The OHSAA DVII District Champions, Ansonia Lady Tigers, closed out the 2025 season with a 14-3 Southwest Regional Semifinal loss to the Covington Lady BUCCS.
Ansonia bolted out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a leadoff Shyann McKenna single to left, a one-out Ava Thatcher single, and a run-scoring double off the bat of Addie Geyer. Miley Walls sent a run home with a sacrifice fly to right, and Lillian Perry knocked an RBI single to right, giving the Lady Tigers an early 3-0 lead after one complete.
The three-run lead would not hold up as the Lady BUCCS logged three runs in the top of the second to knot the score at 3-3 and exploded for eight third-inning runs to lead 11-3.
Covington added three runs in the top of the fifth, giving the Lady BUCCS a 14-3 five-inning win.
“The girls came out with a good first inning,” Coach Fisherback said. “You have to give Covington all the credit, they came out hitting the ball a couple hard shots, a couple freak plays but that’s a part of it. When you’re hitting the ball hard, putting the ball in play, good things happen; however, we were hitting everything right at them a little bit, but it was an outstanding year. They are a good bunch of hitters over there. Hopefully, it will be a battle between us next year also.”
Two Ansonia seniors played their final career varsity softball game for the Lady Tigers. No. 13 Avalyn Lock and No. 18 Jayda Mangen.
“We’re going to miss our seniors,” said Fisherback. “They played their heart out tonight. I can’t say enough for our seniors. They did something that hasn’t been done in 16 years (2009), Ansonia back in the regionals. I am very proud of them; they have worked very hard.”
Addie Geyer and Shyann McKenna paced Ansonia at the plate, Gyery going 2-3, including a double, 1 RBI, and 1 run; McKenna a double and a run scored. Ava Thatcher was 1-3 with a run scored; Miley Walls went 1-2, 1 RBI; Lillian Perry 1-2, 1 RBI.
Bri Walker and Walls worked the mound for Ansonia.
“Our girls will work and we’ll be ready to come back,” Fisherback stated. “We’ll reload, we’re losing two, but we have a lot of talent in our group, a bunch of girls.”
Coach Fisherback’s parting remarks to his Lady Tigers; “Remember how this feels because next year our goal should be here, every year, and hopefully get to Akron. Obviously, that is our big goal.”
BOX SCORE
123 456 7 R H E
038 03X X 14 14 0 Covington
300 00X X 3 7 0 Ansonia
