Plymouth tops Seneca East for district softball title

• Reichert strikes out six in tough outing.
• One inning hurt Tigers
• Honre delivers one hit compete game shut out for Big Red
• Brown pounds out three hits in dominating offensive performance

SHELBY – The Plymouth Big Red surprised themselves in their first ever softball district championship victory over the Seneca East Tigers. After a 5-2 May 7 loss to the Tigers, the Big Red used an eight run third inning to take home the 11-0 five inning victory, something head coach Troy Keene was not expecting.

"I was very surprised at this game. We lost to them just two weeks ago in a hard fought game. The performance these girls put on today was an amazing sight. We got timely hits when we needed them and did not take our foot off the gas in that third inning," Keene said.

The first two innings foreshadowed a pitcher's duel that was going to come down to who could manufacture a single run would be the winner, but the Big Red just needed one inning to get their nerves out of the way.

Seneca East's junior pitcher Paige Reichert struck out the side in the first inning with a dominating fastball. The second inning she found herself in a bit of trouble with bases loaded and one out. She bared down and struck out the next two batters to leave the Big Red scoreless. She struck out six on the day.

On the other side, Plymouth junior Addyson Horne threw a strikeout party of her own collecting eight on the night. Her dominance on the mound is what Keene said got the offense going.

"When she is on like she was tonight, our offense can relax a bit. It's normally the other way around, when the offense is on, the pitcher can relax. Her ability to pitch gives our offense the chance to just go up and hit the softball and take chances," Keene added.

The Big Red did just that in the third inning. Senior Haley Lunsford started the inning off with a double that short hopped the fence. Horne helped herself with a double a few pitches later that plated Lunsford. Senior Grace Brown ripped one of her three hits to drive in Horne. Junior Haven Keene was hit by a pitch and that was followed up by five straight hits by Lexi Washburn, Brooklyn Shepherd, Tatium Robinson and Janet Arnold. In all, the Big Red scored eight runs on seven hits and two walks.

"We came to play and we were all focused and mentally prepared for this game. We played together which was the major difference that last game (against Colonel Crawford)," Brown said of her team's offensive performance.

The Big Red added three more in the home half of the fourth to grow their lead to 11-0. Brown started the inning off with a double and the string of hits rolled again with Keene adding a single and Shepherd, Robinson and Arnold all singling in runs. Brown collected three hits on the night.

"Before, I was overthinking a lot. I just got up there, focused in and had some fun and the result was I was able to get some hits," Brown added.

Horne had all of the run support she needed, she was still carrying a no-hitter into the top of the fifth. With one out in the frame, Seneca East sophomore Bre Heal collected the Tiger's only hit on a single to left field.

"I did not even realize I had it until that hit happened," Horne said. "Coach said before the game that he wanted me to keep it down and in and I was getting the calls so it was nice."

Along with Brown's three hits, Shepherd and Robinson both collected two hits and two RBI. All but one Big Red batter collected a hit.

"It means a lot to win this game and finally get to hang that banner after two years of getting to this point. We put in a lot of hard work and I am proud to be a part of the first district title team," Horne said.

Plymouth (17-11) will enjoy the school's first softball district title and will advance to play Cuyahoga Heights at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Kent State.

"I have not looked ahead yet because I wanted this one bad for these girls," Keene added pointing at his daughter Haven Keene and niece Horne. "This one is extra special because I was able to coach my daughter and niece."

Seneca East ends a great season with a 19-8 record and a District Runner-up trophy to put in the case. The Tigers were the last remaining N10 softball team left in the tournament.

"I love those girls to death and they played hard. They had a great year and I do not think anyone expected them to be here. It is a tough loss. I told them I like gold better than silver but there are so many teams out there that would give their right arm to be here. These is nothing to be ashamed of. We have one senior, Caitlin Sauers, who we will miss because she is a great leader and a wonderful kid. Everyone will be back and we will pick up and learn from this," Seneca East coach Jerry Hassinger said.

"They are all hard workers and great kids. At times, I pushed them pretty hard and they just sat back and smiled and just gave everything they had and asked for more. I told them I would not trade them for the world and it was a great year with them."

jfurr@gannett.com

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Twitter: @JakeFurr11