May 22, 1999
Old Fort claims district crown in softball
By Ed Fox
Sports Writer
OLD FORT -- It was figured to be a tight game and a low-scoring one with strong pitching from both teams.
It didn't happen as Old Fort broke the game open early with three first inning runs and three more in the third for an early 6-0 lead. They added five more later on and went on to defeat Lakota, 11-3, in the Division III District championship game at Old Fort Friday afternoon.
The Stockaders now advance to the regional tournament at Findlay High School and will meet Edgerton, 15-5, at 4:30 p.m., Thursday. Edgerton won the district title at Ayersville.
"That (Lakota) was a very good team we played today," said Old Fort head coach Ron Rau. "We scrimmaged them before the season started and it was a close game. We're a good hitting team and it really helped to get something going early."
The Stockaders, 25-3, jumped on Lakota pitcher Ashley Lockmiller early. Randi Whitman started the game with a blast over the centerfielder's head for a double and she advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Julie Koch. A wild pitch, with Heather Webb at bat, scored Whitman with the first run and Old Fort would never look back.
Webb drew a walk and went to third on a double by Jennifer Seigley which also went over the centerfielder's head. Erin Rau grounded out to short with Webb scoring on the play and Seigley also scored on a wild pitch to Rachel McCalla as the Stockaders pushed the lead to 3-0.
In the third, the Stockaders scored three more. Koch led off with a walk, Webb scored her with a double to right center and Seigley went long with a blast over the fence to deep center. Rau followed with a triple down the right field line, but failed to score.
"That's the fifth time I've hit one over a fence," said Seigley. "It was right in there and I knew it was my pitch. This is the first time that I've seen the ball go over the fence. Usually, I'm looking down while running to first."
While the Stockaders were able to get some clutch hitting, Lakota (20-5) left the bases jammed in the last of the third and came up empty.
With one out, Lacy Hager singled. She went to second on a walk to Maria Lowery. After the next batter flew out, Jenni Bomer grounded to short, but the relay to second in an attempt to get Lowery was too late and the Raiders had the bases loaded. But, it all went for naught as Lockmiller fanned on a third called strike to end the inning.
"That was a really crucial time," said Lakota head coach Joe Wyant. "After the home run, the girls were down and frustrated and it would have really given them a big lift if we could've answered with some scoring in the last of that inning."
In the sixth inning, the Stockaders scored five more times with the help of just two hits and four Lakota errors.
Lakota finally got on the board in the last of the seventh. With one out, Hager walked, Lowery reached on a fielders choice and Jamie Ray followed with a run-scoring single. After a walk to Bomer, the second out was made and Crystal Miller followed with a two-run single before Kristen Lentz popped out to short to end the game.
"Getting out to a 3-0 lead really helped the girls. They played more relaxed after that. I thought if we could put the ball in play and make them make the plays we would be all right. We only had a couple errors and they had a few (five)," said Rau.
"The girls lost to Sandusky St. Mary's in the district finals last year and I think the girls were hungry. Their goal is to win as many championships as possible and they've won three so far."
The Stockaders shared the Midland Athletic League crown with Hopewell-Loudon, won a sectional title and added a district title.
Rau was the winning pitcher with her record improving to 17-2.
"It was very important for me and the team to get off to a good start early," said Erin Rau. "I just tried to keep the ball low, because the umpire had a low strike zone."
Rau finished with four strikeouts and walked four. She allowed six hits with three by Miller while Renee Chaney, Hager and Ray added one apiece.
"Erin got out of the jam in the third inning and we played good defense behind her. She has really worked hard and put in a lot of hours," said Ron Rau.
Lockmiller (18-4) gave up 11 runs (six earned), eight hits, walked four and struck out four.
Seigley led the Stockaders with a home run and double to drive in three runs and Koch went 2-for-2. Whitman, Webb and Abby Kingsborough each had a double and Rau added a triple.
"Ashley struggled and this was one of our worst defensive outings of the season," said Wyant. "I thought the girls did a good job from the offensive standpoint. They only struck out four times and had six hits. We put the ball in play."