The long ball took down Walsh Jesuit softball in a 7-0 Division II state semifinal loss to Westerville Central on June 6 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
Well, sort of.
It is true the only run the Warhawks needed came on a no-doubt-about-it home run off the bat of Christine Crosier.
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But, just for good measure, Hannah Pullins went old school in the second with a little league grand slam.
OK. It was a single with two errors but it was enough to push Westerville Central (28-2) to a state championship meeting with Kings Mill Kings (29-1).
Pullins singled with the bases loaded to bring in two runners on a shot back up the box. She took third when Mia Berquist tried to pick her off running to second and came home when Ella Girard sailed a throw to third.
That made it 5-0 and pushed Westerville Central into the state title game despite getting as many hits as Walsh (23-2).
Follow along here for live updates, highlights and in-game analysis:
Westerville Central go down in order in the sixth
Jane LeMasters lined out to second. Haley Hickok grounded out to short. Lydia Miller struck out swinging. Westerville Central 7, Walsh Jesuit 0 T7
Walsh Jesuit reaches base, comes up empty in the sixth
Kat Taylor struck out swinging. Mia Berquist struck out looking. Gianna Terlop singled to right. Brynn Mineard grounded out to third. Westerville Central 7, Walsh Jesuit 0 B6
Westerville Central capitalizes on Walsh Jesuit’s fourth error
Hannah Pullins reached on a bunt single to the pitcher. Samantha Luke struck out looking. Luke stole second on the first pitch. Luke stole third and came home on a throwing error by the catcher. Christelle Crosier struck out swinging. Lexi Latier struck out swining. Westerville Central 7, Walsh Jesuit 0 T6
Walsh Jesuit sent down in order in the fifth
Gia Vrona flew out to left. Maddy Grano pinch hit for Claire Gardner. Grano struck out looking. Ella Girard grounded out to third. Westerville Central 6, Walsh Jesuit 0 B5
Westerville Central sent down in order in the fourth
Lydia Miller struck out on a foul tip. Corinne Miller flew out to center. Jess Hickok struck out swinging. The Warriors and Warhawks each of three hits. Westerville Central 6, Walsh Jesuit 0 T5
Walsh Jesuit presses a bit, pops out in infield in the fourth
Brynn Mineard popped out to second. Renee Brown flew out to second. Katie Lippencott flew out to short. Westerville Central 6, Walsh Jesuit 0 B4
Westerville Central sent down in order in the third inning
Lexi Latier grounded out to short. Jane LeMasters grounded out to the pitcher. Haley Hickok flew out to shortstop. Westerville Central 6, Walsh Jesuit 0
Walsh Jesuit sent down in order in the third inning
Kat Taylor struck out. Mia Berquist flew out to left field. Gianna Terlop flew out to left. Westerville Central 6, Walsh Jesuit 0 B3
Westerville Central capitalize on three-error inning to blow second open
Jane LeMasters walked on five pitches. Haley Hickok walked on four pitches. Lydia Miller singled to left, LeMasters scored, Haley Hickok to second. Corinne Miller hit a sacrifice 5-3. Haley Hickock to third, Miller to second. Jess Hickock struck out but the catcher dropped the third strike and she was safe at first to load the bases.
Hannah Pullins singles to center score Haley Hickock and Miller. An error by the third base on the throw to second and error by the center fielder to third makes it a little league grand slam… or single with two errors. Four runs scored on the play. Samantha Luke popped up to third. Christelle Crosier grounded out to third. Westerville Central 6, Walsh Jesuit 0
Walsh Jesuit loads the bases, comes up empty in the second
Brynn Mineard singles to right. Renee Brown singled to center. Katie Lippencott flew out to shortstop. Gia Vrona loeads the bases on a hit by a pitch. Emma Peck running on third for Mineard. Claire Gardner struck out swinging. Ella Girard grounded out to third. Westerville Central 1, Walsh Jesuit 0 B2
Westerville Central homers, take early lead on Walsh Jesuit
Hannah Pullins flew out to left. Samantha Luke grounded out to third. Christele Crosier homered to center. Her 10th of the season. Lexi Latier grounded out to third. Westerville Central 1, Walsh Jesuit 0 T2
Walsh Jesuit leaves a runner in scoring position in the first
Ella Girard hit an infield single to short. Kat Taylor struck out swinging, Girard stole second on the pitch. Mia Berquist flew out to center. Gianna Terlop struck out swinging. Walsh Jesuit 0, Westerville Central 0 B1
When do the Warriors play today?
First pitch is 7:05 p.m. ET.
Where to watch and listen to the Warriors game today
All games are live on the NFHS Network and can be heard on the OHSAA Radio Network.
Warriors lineup today vs. Westerville Central
Warhawks lineup today vs. Walsh Jesuit
Warriors vs. Warhawks starting pitchers
Right-hander Katie Lippencott (14-1, 1.92, 123 strikeouts) faces right-hander Elliot Long (23-1, 1.73, 229 strikeouts)
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school softball scores. Walsh Jesuit falls to Westerville Central in D2 semifinal
Reporting by Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
