PICKERINGTON — Northmor and North Union pushed a pair of state-ranked Division V softball teams in district championship games played May 21 at Pickerington North.
Top-ranked Liberty Union needed all seven innings to escape with a 2-1 victory over Northmor, while seventh ranked Johnstown made two runs in the fourth inning hold up for a 2-0 win over North Union.
“There is no shame in losing to that team at all,” Northmor coach Matt Wiseman said, a state championship program two years ago and a state finalist last year. “It was just a great ballgame. I thought we put the time and effort into being here and playing in it.”
North Union coach Dawn Draper felt similarly about her squad.
“Our kids were ready,” she said. “It was one of those days. We just didn’t bring the bats out today. We didn’t play that great, but our kids didn’t give up. They didn’t quit.”
Here’s how each game shook out:
Game 1, Northmor vs. Liberty Union
Multi-time pitching All-Ohioan Suzie Shultz of Liberty Union was almost matched pitch-for-pitch by Northmor freshman Maleah Blevins. Both allowed just three hits, and the two strung together 13 straight strikeouts during a stretch in the game. Blevins ended with two walks and 12 strikeouts.
“We knew she was really good. That’s the No. 1 team in the state of Ohio. They believe in what they are doing, and they just stay the course,” Wiseman said. “Our kids — I don’t know what you can say — they battled their butts off. We just didn’t get enough hits.”
It was scoreless in the fourth inning when Northmor’s Kallie Wright laid down a bunt single for the first hit of the game. She stole second but got no further. Then in the bottom of the fourth, Haeden Brunty led off with a solo homer to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The Golden Knights tied it in the sixth when Kali Amens hit a one-out single, Shelby Cooper sacrifice bunted her to second base and Blevins hit an RBI double.
In the seventh, Shultz led off with a double, then scored two batters later on a walk-off game-winner from Ryleigh Brown.
“We’re right on the cusp,” Wiseman said, later adding, “They’re really good, and we’re right there. We just have to mature and learn how to get that big hit when we need it.”
While Liberty Union moves to regionals with a 24-1 record, Northmor ends its season at 18-11. However by only graduating Shelby Cooper, the Knights expect better days are ahead.
“The nice thing about this game is I think it will fuel those youngsters into buying into what we’re selling them and get them to be better hitters in the offseason” Wiseman said. “Defensively, I think we’re fine. I think offensively we need to be better against elite pitching. That’s what we faced today.”
Game 2, North Union vs. Johnstown
North Union played even with Johnstown until the Johnnies took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. They got back-to-back hits to start the inning and moved them over on a sac bunt. A sacrifice fly by Emma McGeehan scored Violet Wentzel, then an error on the play allowed Riley Stefanick to score as well.
Johnstown pitcher Lucia Kuhn threw a three-hitter with three walks and four strikeouts.
“We just struggled offensively today. It really wasn’t anything (Kuhn) did. It’s what we didn’t do,” Draper said. “Then when we finally got a couple on base, we couldn’t get the bunt down either. It was a struggle. Defensively, we didn’t look that bad. We gave up a couple of hits, but they’re a good team.”
Leah Cox scattered eight hits and two walks, striking out three for NU. Emma McElroy had two hits and Kailin McElroy the other hit for the Wildcats.
Johnstown (22-6-1) will head to the regionals, while North Union ends its season at 21-7 but with a Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division title and a district runner-up trophy.
“We all have goals. We wanted to be here, but I’ll tell you, it was a long ride to get here. We beat some really good teams and had to play really well, and we did. That’s all you can ask for,” Draper said.
rmccurdy@usatodayco.com
419-610-0998
X @McMotorsport
Instagram @rob_mccurdy_star
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Northmor, North Union softball teams fall in district titles
Reporting by Rob McCurdy, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
