GREENVILLE – The Lady Wave used the “leaving base early” nine of the 12 outs in earning a 10-0 run rule OHSAA DIII tournament win over the Stivers School for the Arts Lady Tigers while keeping the game respectable.
“Fun day for Lady Wave Softball,” said Greenville coach Jerrod Newland. “Second season begins, and great day for Lady Wave Softball and the program.”
Coach Newland had his starters on the bench except for pitchers Lizzie Shaffer and Zoey Burns, the entire game, giving the younger players valuable tournament playing experience.
“Most of the time, kids are playing a lot of JV games and dressing varsity, but with us, 17-18 kids, we’re just playing one team,” Newland said of his opening tournament game starting lineup. “All 10 kids that played tonight get opportunities – that’s what it’s all about.”
Shaffer was perfect on the mound the first three innings, striking out the first seven Stivers batters faced, followed by a groundout to first and closing out her time on the mound with her eighth strikeout in three innings of work.
The Lady Wave plated six first-inning runs, with all three outs coming by “leaving base early.” Big hits for the Lady Wave in the inning included a Brianna Klosterman leadoff bunt single, back-to-back Riley Thomas and Rylie Pfledderer 2-run doubles, and a Carlee Yundt double to left.
Greenville tacked on three runs in the bottom of the second with a Klosterman leadoff single, an RBI double off the bat of Morgan Thompson, and a Pfledderer 2-run homer over the centerfield fence, the sophomore’s first LWSB career home run giving the Lady Wave a 9-0 lead after two complete.
Rylie Pfledderer is one of the 12 kids in the mix day in and day out,” Newland said. “The thing is around here, a lot of kids have opportunities and are close to playing and being great, and Rylie is a neat sophomore. Most of the time, kids like that are playing a lot of JV games and dressing varsity, but with us, 17-18 kids, we’re just playing one team.”
“Great kid,” Newland continued. “So proud of her. She works very hard, she is going to be a great ball player the next few years here for us, and she makes the most of her opportunities. She is working her way into the outfield rotation a little.”
The Lady Wave added a run in the bottom of the third to make it a 10-0 score, where Coach Newland halted Greenville scoring on the night for the win.
Zoey Burns pitched the final two innings of shutout ball, giving the Lady Wave a first-round tournament win.
“Felt the enthusiasm from the kids on the bench today,” Coach Newland stated. “Hats off to Stivers making plays and respecting the game today. Just excited to move on to the next round, so excited for that and great opportunity here tomorrow (Friday) with Miami East out here for another great team to play to prepare us, and we’re on to Tuesday, home game against West Carrollton. Can’t wait for the opportunity to move to a District Championship game.”
Shaffer picked up the win, tossing three perfect innings, allowing no runs, no hits, no walks while striking out eight. Burns pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, no walks, and striking out five.
Pfledderer paced the Lady Wave at the plate, going 2-2, including a double and a home run, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored. Klosterman went 2-3, 2 runs; Reese Stewart 1-1, 1 run; Carlee Yundt 1-2, a double, 1 RBI, 1 run; Thomas 1-3, a double, 3 RBI, 1 run; Morgan Thompson 1-2, a double, a walk, 1 RBI, 1 run; Kara Blumenstock 1-1; Cloe Shuttleworth 1-3, a walk, a HBP, 1 run; Caleight Stebbins a walk; Jaelyn Christman 2 HBP, 2 runs.
BOX SCORE
123 456 7 R H E
000 00X X 0 1 6 Stivers School for the Arts
631 0XX X 10 10 1 Greenville
