Fairfield Union takes first league title since 1988

RUSHVILLE — It has been a long time — 1988 — since Fairfield Union last won a league championship in softball.

That all changed Friday when the Falcons were able to get over a huge hurdle by defeating visiting Teays Valley, 3-0, to win at least a share of the Mid-State League-Buckeye Division title.

Fairfield Union, which reached the Division II regional finals in 2015, is playing with great confidence and improved to 19-0 overall and 12-0 in the league.

In the first game against the Vikings, Fairfield Union was being dominated by pitcher Alyssa Rothwell, but ended up winning after she walked three consecutive batters and Michaela Criner hit a grand slam.

“The difference from this game to the first time we played them is our girls expect to win and they come onto the field knowing they can beat anybody,” Fairfield Union coach Donny Holbrook said. “I’ve always believed it, and now they are starting to believe it, and that is huge.”

Teays Valley (16-3, 10-2) is the defending Division I state champion, and Rothwell is considered one of the top pitchers in the state. On Friday, Rothwell once again was having her way with the Falcons.

She finished with 14 strikeouts had totaled 11 strikeouts after facing one batter in the fifth inning. She made a mistake and grooved a pitch right down the middle to Fairfield Union freshman Hayden Terry, who hit a towering home run to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

“Haylen Terry is a freshman that we decided to keep up on varsity about the third game of the season,” Holbrook said. “That was her fourth home run of the year. She has had some big hits at big times. I think she is fearless because she doesn’t know any better. She sees the ball well, and she always has quality at bats.”

The Falcons added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Alexis Eaton led off with a double and Criner walked. Averi Callicoat had a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over, and the next batter, Alicia Caudell, also bunted. It was right back to Rothwell, but her throw to first was high, which allowed Eaton and Criner to score.

Eaton improved to 19-0 in the circle. She limited the Vikings to four hits while striking out nine — raising her season total to 154 — and walking two.

“Alexis is one of the strongest pitchers in this area, and I would put her up against anyone,” Holbrook said. “Her work ethic is second to none. She was spot on and hit all of her spots (Friday).”

Eaton did get some help when Emily Wolfe made a huge play in right field in the third inning. With runners on second and third with two outs, Wolfe made a running, diving catch that saved two runs.

“I was nervous all day, and this game was intense from the start,” Criner said. “When we beat them the first time, it changed our attitudes, and we all believe we can win every game we play. We do whatever it takes to win. We have a lot of young talent, and we are all meshing together.”

twilson@lancastereaglegazette.com

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Twitter: @twil2323