OXFORD – The Greenville Lady Wave took advantage of a 2-out ninth-inning single off the bat of senior Kylar Arnett, followed by a game-winning walk-off double from senior Zoey Burns, a complete game 3-hit shutout from freshman Ella Oswalt, and stellar defense in advancing the Lady Wave in OHSAA DIII regional play with a 1-0 extra-inning win over the New Richmond Lady Rams in a game whose start time was delayed 35 minutes due to rain passing through the area.
“Great day for Lady Wave Softball – amazing,” said veteran Greenville Hall of Fame coach Jerrod Newland. “Great atmosphere, great game, nine-innings and senior-senior. Youngin’ threw great on the mound, we played defense, and senior-senior step up and go.”
Both Greenville and New Richmond played error-free ball, with each team having three hits in a defensive battle that saw the Lady Wave hitting the ball directly to the Lady Rams for less than challenging outs through 8.2 innings of action.
Greenville went down in order in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth innings before getting their first hit of the night, a sixth inning leadoff Lily Brubaker single left stranded with batters two, three, and four going down in order. Innings seven and eight had the Lady Wave once again going down 1-2-3, resulting in a scoreless game after eight innings were complete.
LWSB right fielder Kara Blumenstock made a diving catch for the first out in the top of the ninth, followed by a New Richmond walk. The Lady Wave snuffed out the threat with a second Blumenstock diving catch in right and a 4-3 (Kylar Arnett to Zoey Burns) groundout, sending the game to the bottom of the ninth.
“Defense played spot free,” Coach Newland noted. “Stock made three great plays. We made great defensive plays.”
The first two Greenville batters were quickly retired with Coach Newland sending out word for his two seniors, Kylar Arnett and Zoe Burns to step up and win the game for the Lady Wave – and they answered the call with Arnett stroking a solid single to center bringing Greenville’s two-time first team All-Ohio Zoey Burns to the plate to crush a line drive double to deep center with the speedy Arnett racing home with the extra inning winning run with the Lady Wave living for another day.
“I know those two kids, and they have been the best players on the field for the last three years,” Coach Newland stated. “They both weren’t themselves yet, and they did it here – I knew they would do it. I thought we would do it two innings earlier, but happy for both of them, love them to death, and that is why Lady Wave Softball is so tough, 27-2 Regional Finals Friday, can’t wait.”
Greenville freshman Ella Oswalt went the distance on the mound, pitching 9 scoreless innings of 3-hit ball, all singles, 3 walks, while striking out four.
“Youngin’ pitched amazing on the mound,” Newland said. “Great defense around her. We attacked, a couple things didn’t bounce our way today, I didn’t play an extremely great ‘A’ game, but bottom line is we move on.”
Burns led the Lady Wave at the plate, going 1-4, including the game-winning walk-off double; Arnett was 1-4 with the game-winning run; Brubaker was 1-3.
“We have to strike the ball better,” said Newland. “Just happy to get out of here with a win – Great Day for Lady Wave Softball.”
The Lady Wave made stellar defensive plays throughout nine innings of work, with the smallest player on the field, Greenville freshman centerfielder Bri Klosterman, making a sixth-inning over-the-head game-saving catch on the dead run at the centerfield fence. The Lady Rams had opened the top of the sixth with a bunt single, and with two outs, Klosterman made the spectacular catch, bringing high fives from teammates and Coach Newland meeting his centerfielder with a huge hug at the third base line coming to the dugout. Kylar Arnett had two diving catches at second.
Defensive plays by the Lady Wave: Kylar Arnett (second base) 8 total chances, 5 assists, 3 putouts; Leah Force (shortstop) 3 total chances, 2 assists, 1 putout; Bri Klosterman (centerfield) 1 total chance, 1 putout; Zoey Burns (first base) 13 total chances, 13 putouts; Kara Blumenstock (right field) 3 total chances, 3 putouts; Lily Brubaker (third base) 3 total chances, 2 assists, 1 putout; Kendall Cromwell (catcher) 4 total chances, 4 putouts; Ella Oswalt (pitcher) 2 total chances, 1 assist, 1 putout; and no balls were hit to Lizzie Shaffer in left field.
“Just proud of the kids, great crowd, great support for a two o’clock game,” Newland said. “We didn’t play extremely well, played a solid ‘B’ game, but the scoreboard says 1-0 Greenville, and we’re in the Elite Eight. I love where we’re at and where we’re going. Just a fun day.”
“Just happy to get out of here with a win,” Coach Newland concluded. “Great Day for Lady Wave Softball.”
BOX SCORE
123 456 789 R H E
000 000 000 0 3 0 New Richmond
000 000 001 1 3 0 Greenville
