Sunday, May 06, 2001
Cincinnati softball highlights
Hamilton prevails in 1-0 battle
By John Schutte
Enquirer contributor
Katie Halcomb outdueled Heather Clark to lead Hamilton to a nine-inning, 1-0 victory over Talawanda in a Division I sectional softball semifinal game Saturday at Rumpke Park.
Hamilton advances to face Amelia in the sectional championship game. Amelia ousted Hamilton in the championship game last year.
“I knew it would be a tight game. Heather Clark is a tough pitcher,” Halcomb said. “I only pitched once in the last week, so I felt pretty strong and confident today. I was pretty sure we would win.”
Sophomore Autumn Marshall was the catalyst in scoring Hamilton's only run. She accounted for both Hamilton hits. Her first hit was a triple in the fourth inning; her second hit led to the winning run. She doubled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
“I've been hitting really well the last two weeks. I've raised my batting average about 30 points to .537,” Marshall said. “When I got on, I wanted to put pressure on the pitcher but at the same time be careful not to be picked off.”
Marshall advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.
“We told the next batter, Bridget Henry, to be patient and watch a couple of pitches,” Hamilton coach Steve Heckman said. “Heather was trying to be careful and got wild on a couple of pitches, allowing us to score.”
Halcomb was nearly perfect on the mound. She struck out 14 batters, walked two and allowed one hit to improve to 17-6 on the season.
Halcomb's lone miscue almost cost Hamilton the lead in the bottom of the ninth.
With two outs, Halcomb allowed a walk. The next batter lined sharply to Halcomb. She knocked down the ball, but her throw to first sailed high and allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Halcomb forced the final batter to hit a weak grounder to second.
“I just wanted to add a little excitement to the game,” Halcomb said, joking. “I thought to myself, "I just blew the game.' Fortunately everything worked out.”
• Amelia 1, Northwest 0, Division I Sectional at Rumpke — Amelia downed Fort Ancient Valley Conference rival Northwest for the third time by one run this season. The Barons scored on a single by Keri Gillespie.
• Oak Hills 3, Sycamore 1, Division I Sectional at Rumpke — The third time was the charm for Oak Hills, after losing 3-0 and 9-2 to Sycamore in the regular season. Oak Hills struck early, loading the bases in the first inning. Jennifer Tarplee scored on an error, and Sara Camper drove in Megan Black with a walk.
• Fairfield 5, Seton 1, Division I Sectional at Rumpke — Jenny Olding drove in Ciji Nelson in the first and fifth innings to lead the Indians. Emily Breitholle went the distance on the mound, striking out eight. Fairfield will play St.Ursula on Thursday.
• Loveland 2, Glen Este 1, Division I Sectional at Rumpke — Stephanie Brislin had a two-out single in the top of the seventh to drive in Tara Miller to win the game for the second time in as many games for Loveland, which next faces McAuley.
• New Miami 10, St. Bernard 4, Division IV Sectional at Rumpke — New Miami beat St. Bernard for the first time in three tries, with Summer Kellums sealing the win with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth. Fayetteville is next up for New Miami.
• CCD 5, Summit 2, Division IV at Rumpke — Ashley Baker drove in Allison Hontanosas and Megan Monroe drove in Heather Clark in the top of the seventh to break open the game. Summit plays Fenwick on Thursday.
Cincinnati softball results
Sports Stories
Padres 5, Reds 2
Deion breaks 0-for-12 slump
Reds struggle on defense
Larkin may return today
Henderson finds fountain of youth
Reds box, runs
Ballpark costs on fast track
Bengals' pick just a hard-workin' boy from the heartland
Elvis is alive - in LeBeau
Bengals pin hopes on Webb
Bengals waive former No. 2 pick
Five Questions with: Thad Matta
Butler promotes Lickliter to head coach
Sharp wins UC basketball award
Cincinnati softball highlights
