ST. PARIS – Graham defeated Shawnee, 7-6, in sectional softball on Thursday.
The Falcons got on the board early, scoring a run in the first inning and four more in the third to jump out to a 5-0 lead. The Falcons threatened a run-rule victory with another pair of runs in the fourth.
Shawnee finally scored in the sixth, putting a pair of runs on the board.
The Braves scratched a run across in the seventh before hitting a three-run homer with two outs that pulled the visitors to within a single run. After a couple of runners reached base, Madison Bryant struck out the final batter to secure the win. For the game, Bryant struck out nine.
“Madison Bryant was absolutely great in the circle,” GHS Coach Ralph Foster said.
Bryant was a bit nervous trying to nail down the victory, especially in the seventh after giving up the long ball.
“I got nervous, but you’ve just got to get the next out,” Bryant said. “I give my best. I have to get a couple of innings in me and then I get in my groove.”
For Graham, Marley Brandyberry was 3 for 3 with 2 RBI, Alyssa Theodor was 2 for 2 with a double and 2 RBI, Allie Neeld was 3 for 4 and Adrianna Hicks was 1 for 1 with 2 RBI.
“It was a great game. I didn’t expect anything less,” Foster said. “It was a total team contribution today. I’m proud of them, they work hard and the hard work pays off.”
Graham will play Kenton Ridge on Tuesday at the Urbana Boyce Street complex.
The Cougars beat Urbana, 6-0, in sectional action on Thursday.
Indians down Fort Loramie
Mechanicsburg defeated Fort Loramie, 9-1, in sectional softball on Thursday.
Mary Mayo had a big night for the Indians. She was 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles, a home run and 3 RBI.
“And she laid down a heck of a sacrifice bunt for me in the first inning,” M’burg Coach Abbey DeLong said.
Elysha Stapleton was 2 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI, Jessica Maddux was 3 for 4 with a double and Meagan Hux was 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Mechanicsburg will play Ansonia or Botkins on Tuesday at a site to be determined.
Urbana baseball loses
Tippecanoe defeated Urbana, 5-0, in sectional baseball on Thursday.
Kaleb Bowdle, Caleb Peterson and Seth Mangus each went 1 for 3 for Urbana. Mangus had a double.
OHC track results
The Ohio Heritage Conference finished its track championships on Thursday, with several Champaign County athletes placing.
On the boys’ side, winning events were Joey Adams (WLS, 1,600), Bryce Waring (MHS, long jump) and Josh McManaway (THS, discus).
Finishing second were Bryce Waring (MHS, 100, 200), Jared Butcher (MHS, 400), the MHS 4×400 team, David Harvey (MHS, long jump, high jump), Trent Fuller (MHS, discus) and Frank Magyar (MHS, pole vault).
Taking third were Michael Conley (WLS, 1,600), Gavin Erwin (MHS, 800), Josh McManaway (THS, shot put) and Joey Mascadri (MHS, pole vault).
On the girls’ side, winning events were Caylee Karg (WLS, 100H, 300H), Emily Wilson (MHS, 100), Leah Cole (WLS, 1,600), Reghan Bieleski (WLS, 800), the WLS 4×400 team, Shannon Barch (MHS, discus), Janie Kopus (WLS, pole vault) and Sydney Hux (MHS, shot put).
Taking second were Janie Kopus (WLS, 400), Leah Cole (WLS, 800), Sydney Hux (MHS, discus), Callie Kaiser (MHS, pole vault), Emily Wilson (MHS, long jump) and Jenna Magnuson (WLS, shot put).
Earning third were Grace Layne (MHS, 100), Katie Hartsel (WLS, 1,600), the MHS 4×100 team and Allyssa Eaton (THS, high jump, long jump).
