Wheelersburg Lady Pirates Cruise To State Finals With Win Over South Range

Article Presented By McDonald’s…

The D-3 top ranked (31-0) Lady Pirates of Wheelersburg will have the opportunity to defend their state title, advancing to Saturday’s championship game with a 6-1 win over (26-4) South Range, Friday at Akron’s Firestone Stadium. The Lady Pirates will face Indian Lake in the 10am Saturday state final. Indian lake beat Johnstown 3-0 in the other state semi.

Wheelersburg had 6 runs, 7 hits, 1 error and stranded 6 runners. South Range had 1 run, 7 hits, 1 error and stranded 8 runners. Andi Jo Howard of Wheelersburg is the winning pitcher, not allowing an earned run.

Wheelersburg came flying out of the gate with a 6-0 lead after four innings. Here is the scoring recap:

B1: Ava Estep singled, advanced on a FC, then scored on a Catie Boggs RBI single. 1-0 Burg.

B2: Kaylynn Carter hit by pitch, Emma Smith singles, Ava Estep singled to right field scoring Carter, advanced to second on a fielding error by rf, RBI; Emma Smith advanced to third, scored on the error. 3-0 Burg

B3: Macee Eaton socks solo homer to lead-off for her 15th of season. 4-0 Wheelersburg. Boggs strikes out, but gets first base on passed ball. And Jo Howard walked. Sydney Skiver RBI single scores Boggs to give Burg 5-0 lead. Carter walks to load bases, but ground out ends inning.

T4: Samantha Susany singled to right field, advanced to third on a fielding error by right fielder.  Runner stranded at third.

B4: Eaton triples. Suicide FC by Boggs. 6-0 Burg. 

T5: Anna Aey reached on a fielding error by rf, advanced to second on the error (0-0). Ashley Rupert RBI single up the middle. 6-1. South Range strands two runners to end inning.

T6: Burg pitcher Andi Jo Howard lifted in T6 as South Range loads bases. Kaylynn Carter on in relief. Carter gets batter to pop-out and end inning.

Macee Eaton and Ava Estep each were 2/4 at the plate with both having an RBI. Catie Boggs had 2 RBI’s with one hit.