By Catrina Olsen
Elyria had one of the youngest teams in the tournament, with a roster full of freshmen and a few seniors, but played beyond their years to capture a State Championship.
Freshman Elyria pitcher Izzy St. Peter worked a quick top of the first and her offense gave her some help early on.
With the first run of the game, scored by April Howser in the bottom of the first inning. She hit a double to reach second base. Reached third by a sac bunt by Macy Taylor. Howser stole home to earn that first run for Elyria.
Lebanon answered back in the second, as Alex Gibson singled up the middle. Ashley west moved Gibson to second by a sac bunt. Grace Gressly could pull a double that scored Gibson.
Elyria was able to scratch out another run in the bottom of the fourth. Dierra Hammons had a single in the bottom of the fourth. She wasted no time on the bases after a bunt by Cassie Miller, Hammons was able to steal not only 3rd but home as well.
Top of the fifth, the Warriors put up another run. Chloe Allen reached first by a single to left field. Madison Degennaro moved her teammate to second base by a bunt. With runners on first and second, Taylor Lewis was able to get walked, which moved both runners into scoring position. Madison Hartman was able to drive in Allen.
Kat Frank was able to put up the last run for the Warriors after drawing a walk and later scoring on a passed ball.
The Elyria ladies were down by one heading to the bottom of the seventh. Howser delivered another clutch hit, as usual, a single. Taylor reached first by a walk moving Howser to second. Hammons was able to hit a double scoring Howser. Taylor scored on an interference call.
“I’m excited we didn’t give up and kept fighting till the very last minute,” -Izzy St. Peter stated that after the game about the team. The last play was difficult to understand since there was so much going on. With the Lebanon players trying to get Taylor in a run down with no one really playing attention to the umpire but to the ball and the next base.
Taylor was on the ground at some point of the play, and got right back up and was able to start fighting back in the run down, even though it was already called interference.
Perseverance was definitely a deciding factor in this game. The Elyria Pioneers never stopped fighting and never gave up when they were down. With as many players as the Pioneers bring back in 2018, the dynasty is just beginning.
Congratulations to the Elyria Lady Pioneers!
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