Clyde softball is unbeaten in the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division.
Sophomore Taitum Jeffrey no-hit Sandusky as the Fliers clinched a share of the conference crown and Clyde topped Tiffin Columbian 18-1 in five innings Wednesday to take the championship outright. The Fliers (18-5, 9-0) shared the title with Norwalk last season.
“Every year it’s a goal to win the SBC championship,” Jeffrey said. “Every year, we’re trying to make it as far as we can in the tournament and play our best ball at the end of the year to extend our season as long as we can. We’re playing good softball; good defense, hitting with runners in scoring position.
“Everybody is playing well and supporting each other; that’s all you can ask.”
The Fliers can cap a perfect season in the SBC Lake Division with a victory Friday over visiting Perkins.
Columbian and Norwalk each has three losses in the league.
“It’s always nice to win a league title,” Jeffrey said. “Our league is tough.”
Jeffrey struck out 12 and walked one against Sandusky in six innings last week.
“I had control of the ball,” she said. “I hit my spots, and the defense was terrific. I was spinning the ball and keeping them off balance.”
Jeffrey earned experience in the circle behind graduate Maddie Dukeshire last season, earning second-team all-conference status.
“I pitched when I was called on, put the ball in play and did what I could for the team wherever they needed me to be,” Jeffrey said. “I was excited to build on what I did last year. The ball is in my hands with great teammates behind me on defense.
“My control got better, locating better and spinning it better. Hitting that spot right away and not going deeper in counts like I used to.”
She learned a lot, including tendencies for many of the returning batters.
“Our league is so good, you have to know where to pitch them,” she said. “I trust coach (Marc) Marshall where to throw it and the defense will be in the right position if they do hit it.”
Freshman center fielder Ariah Farrar and senior catcher Kennedi Long are stalwarts on defense. Senior outfielder Ella Howey and sophomore Kelsey Ray and freshman first baseman Ember Andres help provide punch.
Howey hit a walk-off home run to beat Galion in nine innings.
“Different day, different girl,” Jeffrey said of the winning formula. “We have a couple new faces. When we’re all going, it’s a great night.”
Jeffrey want to be the first one there with a boost if a teammate is discouraged and the first to arrive to celebrate a highlight.
“I try to impact the game as a leader on both sides of the ball,” she said. “Help out and be there. It’s a team sport.”
Clyde lost to Ontario in extra innings in a sectional final last season.
“It makes you want to do better,” Jeffrey said. “Little mistakes can change a game. You have to capitalize, give ourselves the best chance to win.”
mhorn@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: ‘Different day, different girl’ is the winning formula for Clyde softball
Reporting by Matthew Horn, Fremont News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
