BYESVILLE − The Conotton Valley Rockets are heading back to the OHSAA Sweet 16, and they have their Division I-bound ace to thank for punching the ticket.
Behind a spectacular, 11-strikeout performance from senior Maddison Kelley − a Valparaiso University commit who also provided the game’s biggest fireworks with a clutch three-run home run − No. 4 seed Conotton Valley (20-9) dethroned top-seeded Caldwell (20-4) by a 4-0 final score on Thursday, May 21 to claim the OHSAA Division VII district title.
With a second consecutive hardware haul secured, the Rockets now pivot to a regional semifinal showdown with Symmes Valley next Thursday, May 28, at Ohio University’s softball complex in Athens, with first pitch slated for 5 p.m.
Kelley puts Rockets on her back
Rockets head coach Jeremy Ady wasn’t surprised to see his senior leader take control of the championship game when everything was on the line.
“Maddie is a great player, she’s going to be playing at Valpo next season … well-deserving kid,” Ady said. “She’s the leader of our team and showed that tonight. Pitched a heck of a game and hit that big three-run home run. She’s just a gamer and really showed up tonight for us.”
Kelley completely dominated in the circle, flirting with history by tossing a no-hitter deep into the contest. She ultimately settled for a two-hit shutout, striking out 11 batters without issuing a fee pass.
Caldwell’s Sophia Marshall finally broke up the no-hit bid, collecting Caldwell’s first hit of the night with a single in the fifth inning. Senior standout Makayla Mumaw provided the only other offense for Caldwell, picking up a single of her own later in the game.
Mumaw was a warrior in the circle for Caldwell as well in her final high school outing of a stellar career, going the distance with seven strikeouts and zero walks while scattering eight hits.
Rockets break it open
Kelley proved to be just as lethal at the plate as she was in the pitching circle. Breaking open a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning by blasting a towering three-run home run. She finished the contest 3-for-4, adding a double and single along with her game-winning three RBIs.
While Maddison Kelley provided the defining blast, the Rockets’ offense got plenty of heavy lifting from across the lineup to finish off the 4-0 shutout. Brooklyn Kelley turned in a multi-hit effort with a double and single, while Delilah Williams slapped a pair of base hits. Ava Williams manufactured the final Rocket run, by delivering an RBI sacrifice fly ball.
Leading by example
For Kelley, stepping up in a win-or-go-home atmosphere is exactly what she embraces as the veteran heartbeat of the Rockets’ roster.
“It feels great to come through for my team in a big game,” Kelley said. “I think it’s important that with being a senior leader, I set the right kind of energy level for our team. I try to lead by example, setting a positive example regardless of the situation in the game.”
While returning to the Sweet 16 is a major milestone, Kelley made it clear that the Rockets have much bigger plans than just making an appearance on the big stage next week.
“We are super excited to get back to the regionals, but we want to keep rolling and not just be satisfied to get there,” Kelley added, “We hope to make some noise down in Athens this time around.”
Dethroning the top seed
The victory required the Rockets to outlast a formidable top seed, a challenge Ady and his squad fully respected coming into the district final.
“We knew Caldwell was a really good team, they had a great year,” Ady noted. “Their pitcher is a special player who has had a spectacular career. Our kids stepped up today and were able to put the ball in play on her.”
Despite the sting of the shutout ending a special season for Caldwell, head coach Scott Davis tipped his cap to the senior led Rockets and the impressive effort from Kelley on both side of the ball.
“We had a really good season. We won 20 games, we won the OVAC for the fifth time in six years, and we got to the district title game,” Davis said. “We really wanted this one tonight, one of our main goals was to get to regionals. And we gave it our best shot, Makayla (Mumaw) and this senior class have helped lay a solid foundation on our program for the future.”
Ultimately, Davis acknowledge that facing a player of Kelley’s caliber leaves very little margin for error in the postseason.
“You have to tip your cap to Kelley, she is the real deal,” Davis added. “Just a very talented player who can hurt you in a variety of ways. I made a mistake by even pitching to her in that situation − she’s just too dangerous. She was the difference tonight for sure.”
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Maddison Kelley carries Conotton Valley past Caldwell, back to Sweet 16
Reporting by Kevin Sutton, Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian / The Times-Reporter
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