Mount Vernon News

DANVILLE — Upsets are a part of the game, but many times, the better team is able to come away with a solid victory. That was the case for the Danville High School softball team on a misty Wednesday afternoon. The Blue Devils used a big first inning to power their way to a 21-0 victory over the Gahanna Christian Eagles in Division IV tournament action.

“In a game like this you just try and get what you can and try and stay classy,” said Danville head coach Mike Beheler. “I thought they came out ready to play. Baihley (Presley) pitched well for us today.”

After seeing the Eagles go down 1-2-3 in the top of the first inning, the Blue Devils (16-6) went to work at the plate. They sent 19 runners in all, banging out seven hits in the inning while taking advantage of five walks and three errors. That included a RBI double by Megan Pew. Presley also had a pair of RBI on two hits in the opening inning. Aggressive base running also paid off for Danville as it had three runners score on wild pitches.

The Indians got a base runner in the top of the second inning as Jordan Louks hit a single. She was thrown out trying to steal second base during the next at-bat, however. Gahanna Christian got a nice defensive play of its own in the bottom of the inning as Hannah Matheny flied out and Kaylee Connor was thrown out trying to get back to first base.

In the bottom of the third, the Blue Devils went back to work at the plate. Tracy Payne reached on a fly ball to center field, which scored a run. Presley also added an RBI as Danville took at 19-0 lead into the top of the fourth inning.

Gahanna Christian managed to get another runner on in the top of the fourth inning, but she was quickly picked off of first base to end the threat. The Blue Devils added pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on a bases-loaded walk and a bases-loaded hit batter to take the 21-0.

The Eagles’ Kendell Crawford led off the top of the fifth inning with a single to left field. She then stole second base during the next at-bat. She tried steal third base but was thrown out by Connor. A final strikeout ended the game.

“Kaylee is as good of a catcher as there is,” said Beheler. “She calls all of the pitches. She also has a really great arm.”

After the game, Danville’s five seniors were honored for their contribution to the team.

“They’ve really done a lot for the program,” said Beheler. “They gave me the opportunity to coach them and it was a lot of fun.”

The Blue Devils move on to the Division IV Central District Semifinals and face the winner of Millersport and Newark Catholic on Monday. The game will be held at Pickerington Central High School on Diamond No. 4 at 2:30 p.m.