Flames score comeback victory
By Nicole Homsher
For The Madison Press
By Jay Gehres/Jay Gehres Photography- Jonathan Alder centerfielder Ashley Day snags a line drive in the Pioneers’ victory over visiting Hilliard Darby on Thursday night.
The Shekinah Christian baseball team played host to Madison-Plains Thursday night and the Flames won in come-from-behind fashion to finish off the Eagles, 4-3.
The Flames started off slow giving Madison-Plains a three-run lead after two innings.
In the bottom half of the third, Shekinah’s bats finally sprung to life and the Flames got to within one, making it 3-2.
Shekinah Christian coach Rod Yoder was proud of the way his team handled being down three runs early.
“I told them that there was still plenty of ball to be played and we just needed to start chipping away,” Yoder said. “After we scored those two runs I knew we were back in the game with plenty of time left to play.”
After a few more innings of scoreless ball and some excellent pitching from Justin Helmuth, the Flames finally got a break.
In the bottom of the sixth, Michael Gingerich hit a two-run triple to put the Flames up 4-3 with just the top of the 7th to go.
Both Yoder and Gingerich were happy with the outcome.
“When ever there is an opportunity for someone to step up and be that person that can win a game for us I think is a special moment,” Yoder said. “I am always telling them that you want to be that special someone, that person. You want to get yourself in a situation where that can happen and that is what Michael did tonight.”
“I wanted to get a good hit on the ball and get it to the other side and try to drive everyone home,” Gingerich said. “When I heard it hit off the bat I knew it could possibly drive everyone home and it felt good to get those RBI’s and help our team get the win.”
All in all everyone was happy with how the Flames played, especially on defense, but both Yoder and Gingerich said their offense really needs to pick up if they want to be successful this season.
“We played a really good game today,” Gingerich said. “We played really well defensively and that helped outweigh our offense struggling. That is something that will pick up and we will get everyone in the groove of hitting.”
“The boys played solid defense today which helped us get the win,” Yoder said. “We didn’t hit particularly well and that is something we have been struggling with, but the season is still young and we will have time for the bats to come alive.”
McClain 2, London 1
XENIA — On Wednesday, the London baseball team lost 2-1 to host Greenfield McClain in South Central Ohio League action despite Zach Carey throwing a complete game.
Carey gave up just one hit.
London is now 3-1 in the SCOL.
Fisher Catholic 8, West Jefferson 7
LANCASTER — On Wednesday, the West Jefferson baseball team lost a Mid-State League/Cardinal Division game,
8-7, to host Fisher Catholic.
Jonathan Alder 6, River Valley 0
The Jonathan Alder baseball team won its sixth consecutive game Thursday, topping visiting River Valley.
Also, Jared Adams, Shane Veith and Brad Miller all had two hits for Jonathan Alder in a 6-5 victory over Olentangy Orange on Wednesday.
Pete Whitmer got down a suicide squeeze bunt with an out in the bottom of the seventh to win the game for the Pioneers.
Liberty suffered its first loss of the year and is now 4-1.
Softball
West Jefferson 6, Licking Heights 2
PATASKALA — The West Jefferson softball team improved to 4-0 in the Mid-State League/Cardinal Division with a win over host Licking Heights on Thursday.
“We continue to hit the ball very well,” Roughriders coach Jim Stevens said. “Corin Braithwaite, Shylee Gray and Kelsie Schneider went 3-for-4 today with great leadership.
“The girls are getting more focused with every game. Our schedule gets harder every day and they know it, we are playing great ball right now.
On Wednesday, the Roughriders pounded host Fisher Catholic in MSL play, 14-0.
West Jefferson collected 20 hits, while pitcher Brynna Cahill surrendered just one to the Irish.
Josie Hume went 4-for-4 at the plate, while Braithwaite and Anne Haenszel went 3-for-4.
“We hit the ball real well tonight,” Stevens said. “Brynna Cahill faced 18 batters and had 11 strikeouts.
(Assistant coach) Tony (Caldwell) and I were very proud of how the girls played.”
Jonathan Alder 6, Hilliard Darby 1
The Jonathan Alder softball team scored a 6-2 win over visiting Hilliard Darby on Thursday.
McClain 7, London 2
GREENFIELD — The London softball team lost a South Central Ohio League game to host Greenfield McClain on Wednesday.
“We just couldn’t string any hits together,” Red Raiders coach Kelly Nelson said.
London’s Desaree Long did go 4-for-4 with three singles and a double.
