The Fairfield Lady Lions (16-1, 13-0 SHAC) finished their Southern Hills Athletic Conference season in a big way this afternoon before a standing room only crowd at the Fairfield Baseball and Softball Complex defeating the North Adams Lady Devils (4-12, 4-9 SHAC) 13-2. The Fairfield Lady Lions finished the conference undefeated with a 13-0 record. It was the second consecutive undefeated season for the Fairfield Lady Lions. It was the eighth (8th) undefeated SHAC title for the Lady Lions and their 19th SHAC title. Only one other Fairfield Lady Lions softball team has gone undefeated in two consecutive SHAC seasons. The 1986 and 1987 also accomplished the feat thirty (30) years ago. With the victory the Lady Lions also extend their SHAC winning streak to 32 wins.
The Fairfield Lady Lions were again dominating. Kaiti White pitched the first three innings to notch her 16th victory of the season. Megan Gragg pitched the fourth and fifth innings in relief of White allowing just one hit. The Lady Lions offense was also dominating scoring 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning.
White struck out the side in order in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the first inning, the Lady Lions scored 11 runs on 8 hits. In the inning, Kourtnie Smith had a single to drive in two runs, Emily Williams singled, Lauren Arnold drove a mammoth home run into the tree in right center-field, Shania Setty singled, Gragg singled, Sherry Heckathorn singled, Carli Reiber tripled, and Smith singled.
The Lady Lions would score two more runs in the bottom of the second inning. Lyndee Spargur singled Heckathorn singled, Reiber singled, and Allison Davis singled.
White would complete her day in the circle in the top of the third inning with three consecutive strikeouts.
North Adams would score two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Lexie Bunn reached first on an error and one out later, Olivia Anderson hit a long home run to left field.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Heckathorn (2 for 3, 2 runs, 2 rbi), Reiber (3 for 3, double, triple, 2 runs, 2 rbi), Davis (1 for 1, 2 runs, 1 rbi), Smith (2 for 4, 1 run, 2 rbi), Williams (1 for 2, 1 run), Arnold (1 for 2, home run, 1 run, 3 rbi), Spargur (1 for 1, 2 runs), Setty (1 for 2, 1 run, 1 rbi), Gragg (1 for 3, 1 run), Gracie Lawson (1 for 1, double).
White (16-1) was the winning pitcher for Fairfield. White’s Pitching line: 3 innings, no hits, no runs, no earned runs, no walks, and 7 strikeouts. Gragg’s pitching line: 2 innings, 1 hit, 2 runs, 1 earned run, no walks, 1 strikeout. Paige Williams suffered the loss for North Adams. Williams’ pitching line: 4 innings, 15 hits, 13 runs, 13 earned runs, 4 walks, and 1 strikeout.
The Fairfield Lady Lions now turn their attention to the Southeast District Tournament as they face the Western Latham Lady Indians in a Sectional Championship game played tomorrow (Thursday) at the Fairfield Baseball and Softball Complex in Leesburg. Western Latham defeated Glenwood New Boston on Monday 6-5 to advance to the Sectional Finals. Game time is slated for 5:00 PM.
Tom Purtell is the assistant coach for the Lady Lions.
