Newark Catholic softball coach Mike Justice said Veronica Bailey was only supposed to pitch three innings against visiting Heath on May 5.
“(Aly Rothwiler) was coming in as soon as she gave up a hit or walk,” he said. “But it never happened.”
The Green Wave senior right-hander retired all 21 batters she faced over seven innings, striking out eight of them for a perfect game in a 7-0 victory in Licking County League-Cardinal Division play. She also went 4 for 4 at the plate with two doubles and two singles, scored two runs and drove in a run.
Bailey finished the game against the Bulldogs (3-15, 2-12), inducing a flyout, following with a strikeout and getting Lexi Purington to line out to right fielder Mackenzie Gebhart.
“I realized it in the last inning,” Bailey said. “It was one pitch at a time. I was excited and kind of nervous, but was pretty confident that I had it.”
Added Bailey: “My curve was definitely working, and I tried to keep them off balance. My changeup and rise ball were also good. And I had great defense and offense behind me.”
Her catcher Brooklyn Kurtz Merricks added a double and single with three RBIs for the Green Wave (14-7, 8-6). Avery Sullivan had two singles with an RBI, Rothweiler a run-scoring hit, and Bailey’s twin sister Joanna scored two runs and stole a base.
Newark wins at Reynoldsburg
Mallory Back was a perfect 3 for 3, scoring three runs and driving in one, igniting Newark in an 11-1 victory at Reynoldsburg (1-19, 0-13) in an Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division game called in the fourth inning.
Eden Wachaya added two hits and a run, Brylee Carles a double and two runs, Bella Keck three runs and three RBIs and Lexi Shanaberg and Savannah Woody a hit and two RBIs apiece for the Wildcats (4-17, 2-12). Maygen Woody struck out two and allowed one hit and one unearned run in three innings.
Northridge wins at home
Ellie Reese tripled and singled, scored a run and knocked in two for Northridge in a 6-0 victory against visiting Tree of Life (6-10) in a game called after two innings.
Reese also struck out two in two scoreless innings for the Vikings (8-14). Cheyann Severance added two hits, two runs and an RBI, Ryleigh Myers a hit, a run and an RBI and Kadance Adkins a hit and two RBIs.
Granville falls on road
Aubrey Lackey singled and scored for Granville in a 10-1 loss at Mount Vernon (17-4, 12-2) in an LCL-Buckeye game called in the fifth inning.
Avary King and Jillian Brownfield added a hit apiece for the Blue Aces (9-15, 3-11).
TRACK
Price, Tritico win pair
Sophie Price and Sadie Tritico each won a pair of events for the Granville girls during a home meet against Watkins Memorial and Licking Valley.
Price crossed in a time of 51.50 seconds to win the 300-meter hurdles and cleared 4 feet, 10 inches to win the high jump. Tritico matched her with wins in the 800 (2:30.92) and pole vault (9-0).
Other individual winners for the Blue Aces were Audrey Ames in the 100 hurdles (15.83) and Tory Reynolds in the long jump (17-1).
Megan Keating won the 200 (26.76) and 400 (58.86) for Watkins, and other individual winners for the Warriors were Ellah Bigham in the 100 (13.11), Avalyn Hines in the 1,600 (6:00.70) and Emma Summers in the 3,200 (13:11.92).
Valley’s Allison Osborn was a double winner in the shot put (30-2) and discus (113-10).
In the boys meet, Granville individual winners were Ben Cook in the 110 hurdles (17.90), Cohen Fisher in the 200 (23.21) and Jamison Shrode II in the 3,200 (11:05.70).
Watkins individual winners were Ray Hardiman in the 100 (11.21), Eduardo Martinez in the 400 (51.81), Micah Jenkins in the 300 hurdles (46.36), Trevor Mettle in the 800 (2:09.34), Nathan Arheit in the 1,600 (4:58.69), Dominic Nabors in the high jump (5-6) and Carter Armitage in the long jump (19-9.5).
Valley’s Hunter White was a double individual winner in the shot put (46-9) and discus (122-8). Teammate Ty Hufford won the pole vault (11-0).
BOYS LACROSSE
Johnstown drops road game
Zeke Severs scored two goals and picked up four ground balls for Johnstown in a 13-3 loss at Jonathan Alder.
Jason Hettinger added a goal and Will Taylor two assists for the Johnnies. Ben Smith made 11 saves and caused three turnovers.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Roundup: Veronica Bailey perfect in circle and at plate in NC victory
Reporting by Kurt Snyder and Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
