By: Joe Shouse, Sportswriter
Elida – The Wayne Trace Lady Raiders ended their softball tournament dream with a district semi-final loss to Crestview last Tuesday 3-1.
The highly contested match-up featured solid defense and timely hitting throughout with the Raiders scoring first. In the second inning Emma Crosby started things off with a walk and with Crosby on first a bunt single by Katie Doster moved Crosby into scoring position at second base. Claire Sinn managed to reach base on a Crestview error, scoring Crosby on what would be the only Raider run.
The Raiders looked to increase their one run cushion in the fifth inning with Claire Sinn reaching third base and Emily Dyson standing on second. Following an Olivia Egnor pop-out, giving the Raiders two outs, Keegan Parrish planted a line drive back to the Knight’s pitcher, Kali Small, who managed to hang on for the third Raider out and ending their threat. After the solid defensive play by the Knights the momentum quickly turned in their favor the next inning with three runs in the sixth inning.
Breena Grace opened the Knight’s scoring binge with a single to left field and following a Raider error, Grace found herself on second base. Kali Small answered with a double that scored Grace from second to even the score at one a piece. With an attempted throw to home Small motored to third base looking to score.
Unfortunately, another untimely error allowed Lexi Gregory to reach base and the Knights in scoring position with runners on second and Small still at third.
Codi Miller put the dagger into the Raiders hopes with a single to right field scoring both base runners and putting the Knights in the drivers seat leading 3-1.
The Raiders threatened in the final two innings with a couple of base runners each time but the Crestview pitching kept the Raiders from finding home plate.
Marilyn Brigner pitched five innings for the Raiders allowing two hits, one run which was earned and five strikeouts. The red, white, and blue collected just four hits led by Emily Dyson who picked up a single and double and a single each from Claire Sinn and Katie Doster.
With the win the Knights improve their mark to 20-4 and the Raiders fall to 14-8.
