NEW PARIS — The Greenville Lady Wave are headed to the regional tournament after a dominant performance Thursday, rolling to an 11-0 run-rule victory over the Sidney Lady Yellow Jackets in the OHSAA Division III District Championship game behind a perfect game from sophomore pitcher Ella Oswalt.
The district title sends Greenville into the Sweet 16 and regional competition following one of the program’s most complete performances of the season.
“Great day for Lady Wave Softball,” said Greenville coach Jerrod Newland. “It’s the best day of the year. It’s like Christmas.”
Oswalt was nearly untouchable in the circle, retiring every batter she faced while allowing no hits, no runs, and no walks. The sophomore struck out 10 Sidney hitters to earn the perfect-game victory.
Greenville took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leah Force drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Lizzie Shaffer, giving the Lady Wave a 1-0 advantage after one inning.
The Lady Wave added two more runs in the second inning after consecutive Sidney errors opened the door for Greenville. Rielynn Davidson delivered an RBI single to right field before another run scored on a Kara Blumenstock double over the head of the Sidney left fielder, pushing the lead to 3-0.
After a scoreless third inning, Greenville broke the game open in the fourth. The Lady Wave scored six runs on three hits to extend the lead to 9-0. Blumenstock singled, Oswalt added a two-run groundout, Shaffer delivered an RBI single, and Lily Brubaker followed with a run-scoring single.
Greenville finished the game in the fifth inning. Blumenstock walked, Hallee Fourman singled and Oswalt reached on a walk before Shaffer lined a two-run walk-off single to secure the 11-0 district championship victory.
Shaffer paced the Greenville offense with four RBIs, collecting two hits, including her game-ending single. She also drove in runs with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and a single during the six-run fourth inning.
The bottom of Greenville’s lineup also played a major role. Davidson, Blumenstock and Fourman combined for four of the team’s seven hits while scoring five runs.
“Love her, she’s awesome, I can’t say enough,” Newland said of Oswalt. “Just a fun day, awesome – Ella is amazing, love her to death, and so proud of her. She’s locked in, she’s dialed in. Excited for regional week next week.”
“We hit the ball square today, Liz turned on a couple of them,” Newland added. “We play so hard and have so much fun, it’s contagious.”
The veteran coach knows exactly what a district championship means in tournament softball.
“It’s gold medal day, there are 16 teams left, and we are one of them,” said Newland. “This day is what you play all year for.”
Newland also praised Oswalt’s continued dominance in the circle.
“Ella is awesome,” he said. “She’s on a roll, she’s locked in, real excited for her and excited for next week, regionals for our team and program.”
The district title game almost did not happen on schedule due to heavy rain, but National Trail officials worked tirelessly to prepare the field. Newland joined those efforts the evening before the championship game.
Greenville’s coach spent approximately two and a half hours helping National Trail staff remove water from the field to ensure the noon start could take place.
“It’s New York City to me,” Newland said. “We’re honored National Trail is hosting the game, and last night their coach was out here working on the field, and I was helping a little bit, but hats off to Trail. It’s awesome, and heading to Newton.”
Shaffer, one of Greenville’s offensive leaders throughout the season, reflected on the opportunity to compete for a championship.
“I love softball, I love the game,” said Shaffer. “I love playing and it is a great opportunity to be able to play on such a great team.”
Oswalt said she focused on attacking the strike zone and trusting her defense throughout the perfect-game performance.
“Feels amazing, best feeling in the world,” Oswalt said. “Going in, I knew they already seen me a couple of times so I moved the ball and focused on throwing strikes and getting outs for defense.”
Asked about working through a tight strike zone, Oswalt remained unfazed.
“I think if the umpire calls it a strike, it’s a strike,” she said. “I have to adjust to the zone.”
Newland joked about the strike zone after the game.
“They were a little tight in that strike zone; it must have been a circle instead of a plate, but Ella is amazing,” he said.
Despite entering the game among the Miami Valley League leaders with nine home runs, 49 RBIs and a .548 batting average, Oswalt’s reputation has been built primarily on her pitching. She leads the league with 21 victories, a 0.40 ERA and 213 strikeouts. Even without a hit at the plate Thursday, she contributed an RBI groundout while delivering one of the finest pitching performances of her career.
“Batting does sometimes frustrate me, but I have to remember I’m here to pitch, I’m not here to hit,” Oswalt said. “Sometimes I get frustrated with myself and coach reminds me I’m here to pitch and says I won’t let you hit if you get angry with it.”
The sophomore also credited her teammates for the confidence she has while pitching.
“There is never a time when I don’t think they are going to make a play,” Oswalt said.
With a district championship secured and regional play looming, Oswalt said the journey ahead is about more than wins and losses.
“I’m looking forward to being able to play softball with my best friends,” she said. “We’re family out here, and we all love each other. Not only do we win, but it’s so much fun playing with each other.”
Greenville backed its perfect-game pitcher with flawless defense, committing no errors and not striking out once offensively in a complete team effort that earned the Lady Wave a district championship and a place among Ohio’s final 16 Division III teams.
Coach Jerrod Newland also took time to recognize Greenville’s two seniors, second baseman Lily Brubaker and third baseman Kendall Cromwell, for their contributions to the Lady Wave program.
“It’s nuts,” Newland said. “Two great seniors. Hats off to Lil and Kendall and what they do for us. They’re 110-14 during their careers here — just awesome.”
The veteran coach praised the pair for their leadership and dedication, noting that their remarkable 110-14 career record reflects both their talent and the sustained success of the Lady Wave softball program.
