PICKERINGTON — When two strong pitchers are on top of their games, it can come down to who delivers the timely hit.
The Danville Blue Devils found out the hard way Thursday it’s not the amount of hits, but the timeliness in which they are delivered that count the most. The Devils outhit Fisher Catholic 9-3 on the night, but watched as the Irish got the big hit when they needed it, pulling out a 1-0 victory in the Division IV District semifinals at Pickerington Central. The loss snapped a string of five straight district titles for the Blue Devils.
The Devils (8-17) got at least one runner on in all seven innings, but couldn’t come up with the clutch hit when it was needed.
“What a way to go out. We had our chances. Had runners on second and third and couldn’t score,” said Danville coach Maryellen Matheny.
Danville pitcher Molly Alberts was the hard-luck loser, allowing just one hit before the fateful sixth inning. Fisher Catholic’s Molly Shriver led off the sixth with a single, then moved up two bases on consecutive ground outs. Bridget Kelley then delivered the knockout blow to the Devils, lining one past third to score Shriver.
“I’m very proud of Molly. She hit the corners and hit her spots today. She had only one walk; she worked real hard,” Matheny said.
Alberts had plenty of help behind her Thursday.
