CARROLL – The long-awaited rematch between a pair of state-ranked teams − Liberty Union is ranked No. 2 in the state in Division V, and Bloom-Carroll, ranked No. 4 in Division III − certainly lived up to its billing on Thursday, April 30.
In the first matchup, the Lions dominated by hitting six home runs in a 13-2 win on April 6. This game was just the opposite. It was a good, old-fashioned pitcher’s duel between Liberty Union sophomore Eden Wilson and Bloom-Carroll junior Emma Brandt.
After giving up three home runs in her first outing against the Lions, Brandt was fantastic in the circle, and Wilson was able to match her. They both finished with 13 strikeouts. However, the Lions were able to scratch out a run in the top of the sixth inning when Haedan Brunty singled, went to second on a sacrifice fly by Suzy Shultz, and then she moved to third on a past ball. Wilson was able to score her with a sacrifice fly for the game’s only run.
Wilson was able to retire the side in the bottom of the seventh to preserve a thrilling 1-0 victory, giving the Lions the outright Mid-State League-Buckeye Division championship. It marks the first time the Lions have won back-to-back league titles since joining the MSL-Buckeye Division, and it was the first time they won two straight league titles since the 2012-2013 season when they were in the MSL Cardinal Division.
Liberty Union improved to 18-1 overall and 11-0 in the league. The Lions can finish out a perfect league season with a win over Fairfield Union on May 1. The Bulldogs slipped to 16-3 and 8-3.
This game was all about the pitchers. Wilson gave up five hits, walked three, and stranded eight runners on base, including a runner on second in the first and second innings and a runner on third in the third inning.
“I knew this was a huge game, so I just wanted to come in and spin the ball well, and I knew my defense would have my back if they hit the ball,” Wilson said. “I felt like I was able to adjust to how the umpire was calling the game, but at the same time, I always feel like I get better and stronger as the game goes along.”
Liberty Union coach Shawn Hochradel was impressed with the way Wilson stayed composed against a dangerous Bloom-Carroll lineup.
“One through nine can hit the ball out of the yard for Bloom-Carroll, so the biggest thing for (Wilson), being only a sophomore, is that she will learn going into next year that spin wins,” Hochradel said. “She throws hard, and earlier this year, she just tried to overpower hitters at times, and she is learning that spinning the ball is the key.”
Hochradel was just as impressed with Brandt’s performance.
“She was phenomenal,” Hochradel said. “For her to be able to rebound and pitch the way she did was fantastic. For her to come back and face us for seven innings and to throw lights out was impressive. We were fortunate to win it.”
Brandt limited the Lions to just three hits.
Wilson said it was tough getting a good read on Brandt, who kept Liberty Union off balance. However, when Wilson came up with a runner on third in the sixth inning, she knew somehow she had to make contact.
“I knew with Haedan on third, she is so fast, I knew if I hit it anywhere in the outfield or the ground, she was going to score, so I was determined to put the ball in play in that situation,” Wilson said.
The Central District softball tournament draw is set for Sunday, May 3, and both teams are expected to earn No. 1 seeds in their respective divisions.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Liberty Union softball wins league title in thrilling pitcher’s duel
Reporting by Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
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