Fairfield Union one win away from state tournament

PICKERINGTON – At this point in the postseason, solid defense and outstanding pitching are usually a winning combination. Fairfield Union got both Wednesday in a Divison II regional semifinal against Dover.

The Falcons were able to scratch out a pair of runs early by playing small ball, and senior pitcher Kirklynn Rossiter and sophomore Alexis Eaton did the rest in the circle.

Shortstop Michaela Criner and second baseman Jessica Wiseman also had some outstanding defensive plays throughout, and the Falcons went on to post a 2-0 victory at Pickerington Central.

Fairfield Union (20-6) will play for a berth in the state tournament at noon on Saturday against Lakewood back at Pickerington Central.

Rossiter, a four-year starter, pitched the first four innings, and after giving up a two-out single in the fifth, was relieved by Eaton.

"In all five of our tournament games we have given the ball to Kirklynn, and no matter where we are in the lineup, we bring in Alexis once we have went through the lineup twice," Fairfield Union coach Don Holbrook said. "Alexis came in a shut them down and she has now down that five straight times in the tournamnet."

After Rossiter gave up a lead-off single start the game and retiring the next batter on a ground out, the Falcons turned a double play on a line-out against the Tornadoes (22-8).

"Kirklynn gave up a lead-off hit and usually, more times than not, that run comes around and scores, but we turned a double play in the first and I really think that was the difference in the game," Holbrook said. "From then on, she dominated, threw a lot of ground balls. We had strong defense again."

Rossiter said her experience of pitching the last four years paid off on Wednesday.

"I realize we have never made it this far before, but I wasn't really that nervous," Rossiter said. "I've been in a lot of situations where I'm under a lot of pressure, so I really don't get nervous anymore.

"I just know that we are playing really well right now and our defense continues to be solid. Getting a run in the first inning took some of the pressure off and allowed me to relax a little. I'm just glad we aren't done yet."

Both of Fairfield Union's runs came on perfectly executed bunts.

In the first inning, Criner drew a two-out walk and Alexis Woodside followed with an infield hit. Eaton then laid down a perfect bunt in between the the pitcher and first baseman. By the time the defense made the throw to first, Woodside was safe and Criner never stopped as she scored from second.

In the third inning, Wiseman led off with a double and went to third on a ground out and scored on Criner's bunt single.

"We did a great job of punching those two bunts and was able to score a couple of runs, and that's the difference," Holbrook said. "We didn't get the big hit with runners in scoring position, but we are a small ball team. We've won our last three games by one run. We have done whatever it takes."

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