Indians win sectional title

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SIDNEY – Mechanicsburg defeated Ansonia, 1-0, in the Division IV sectional softball final at Fairlawn on Tuesday.

With the win, the Indians completed a sectional run that included victories over the top three seeds in the bracket: Newton, Fort Loramie and Ansonia.

“We ask ourselves every time we get off the bus, ‘Why be done?’” M’burg Coach Abby DeLong said. “That’s what’s keeping us going right now. ‘Why be done?’ We’re not ready to be done yet.”

Elysha Stapleton pitched a remarkable game for the Indians, allowing two hits with three walks while striking out 16 batters.

“She threw a heck of a ballgame. No doubt about that. The defense helped her out when they needed to and that’s what we’ve been looking for,” said DeLong.

The Indians were able to scratch across just one run – what proved to be the game-winner in the top of the fourth. That came despite 10 hits and 15 batters reaching base.

Mechanicsburg’s best chance came in the sixth inning, when the squad loaded the bases with one out. But that opportunity went by the wayside with a pair of softly hit fly balls.

“We just couldn’t get a timely hit,” DeLong said. “But they hit the ball hard and put the ball in play. We’ve just been working on quality everything: quality offense, quality defense, quality pitching.”

For the Indians, Jessica Maddux was 3 for 3 and got hit by a pitch from the leadoff spot. Mayci Powell was 2 for 3 and drew a walk and CiCi Link was 2 for 4.

Mechanicsburg advances to play Riverside or Houston on Friday at Piqua High School at 5 p.m.

Cougars clip Falcons

Kenton Ridge nipped Graham, 1-0, in the Division II sectional softball final at Urbana on Tuesday.

“It was a battle tonight, let me tell you,” GHS Coach Ralph Foster said.

The Falcons left 11 runners stranded on base. Madison Bryant, Melany Robbins, Marley Brandyberry, Ashton Curnutte and Alyssa Theodor each gathered hits.

A solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning put Kenton Ridge ahead.

“We had opportunities in various points in the game and just couldn’t get one through,” Foster said. “It’s a good group. That was the group (of seniors) that I started with. We had three wins in the conference my first year. They bought in and built the foundation with a lot of hard work. They’ve done well.”

Graham finishes the season at 17-9 overall.

Mechanicsburg’s Jessica Maddux smacks a single up the middle against Ansonia on Tuesday. Maddux was 3 for 3 at the plate to help power the Indians’ offense.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/05/web1_Maddux051716.jpgMechanicsburg’s Jessica Maddux smacks a single up the middle against Ansonia on Tuesday. Maddux was 3 for 3 at the plate to help power the Indians’ offense.

By Justin Miller

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Reach Justin Miller at 652-1331 (ext. 1776) or on Twitter @UDC_Miller.

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