ELIDA — On the night the Elida seniors were honored, several of the soon-to-be graduating Bulldogs shined in their 8-3 win over Lima Central Catholic in a non league affair Wednesday.
With the win the Bulldogs improve to 7-15 on the year.
Bulldog senior pitcher Maddie Murphy made the biggest impact for Elida. In going the distance, the Bulldog hurler scattered seven hits while striking out six and walking one in her complete game performance.
Murphy cruised through the first five innings, allowing three hits. In those five frames, LCC had only one base runner get in scoring position.
In the sixth inning, Murphy ran into trouble when LCC opened the frame with three singles, a walk and an error to score its first two runs. With the bases still loaded and no outs, Murphy fanned the next batter, gave up a fielder’s choice that allowed another LCC batter to cross the plate, and then got out of the jam by whiffing the next batter.
“We had a good game,” Elida head coach Hillary Crawford said. “It was senior night and we came out wanting to win and my seniors worked hard and they all had a good game and we pulled it out.”
Crawford added that Murphy’s performance came on the heels of a game Monday where she threw 150 pitches and the Bulldog head coach said she knew she might struggle at some point.
“We had faith in her and knew she was going to finish and she did,” Crawford said.
LCC head coach Jeff Smith said the team’s hitting has been inconsistent throughout the year.
“We’ve been struggling to hit the ball this year and some times it comes in spurts,” Smith said. “There, for the one inning, we came alive with the bats but too late.”
Murphy’s counterpart, LCC’s hurler Keeley Smith was tagged for 13 hits and one walk and struck out three over six innings
Two of Murphy’s senior teammates provided a number of big hits to give her run support. Senior shortstop Kelsey Goodman laced a two-run single that highlighted a four-run fourth inning. Also in the same inning, Murphy ripped a double to drive in Addie Miller who had opened the inning with a two-bagger. Goodman finished the game 2 for 4 with one run scored and one RBI.
Bulldog senior Katelyn Sumption had a big night at the plate going 3 for 4 with two RBI.
Elida junior lead-off player Lauren Kesler produced a 4 for 4 night with three runs scored and three stolen bases. The Bulldog speedster would have had four runs but she apparently missed third base coming home in her last at bat and the umpire ruled her out.
“They had that one big inning and that has been our Achilles’ heel this year,” Smith said.
For the Thunderbirds, Sam Judy went 2 for 3 with one run. Smith, who drove in two of LCC’s runs in the fifth, collected two RBI.
With the win, Crawford is hoping to carry some of this momentum when the Bulldogs enter postseason when they travel to Van Wert on Tuesday.
“I think that we are playing a little better than we were earlier in the season so it’s a good look going into the tournament ,” Crawford said. “We are going to work hard before our first game and then get Van Wert.”
With a confident Crawford ready to enter the postseason, Smith also remains optimistic about the Thunderbirds at sectionals.
“I still feel confident,” Smith said. “I think we got a good draw in the tournament but with our girls it is just putting everything together.”
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