Wheelersburg’s Katelyn Staker prepares to bunt against in the top of the fourth inning against West in the Lady Pirates 4-0 victory at West.
The Lady Pirates took down the Senators 4-0 to move to 3-0 on the year and 3-0 in the SOC II race.
The loss knocks West to 1-3 on the young season.
Wheelersburg held a 1-0 lead from the top of the first inning through the sixth inning and added three insurance runs in the seventh to seal the deal.
“We started off well,” Wheelersburg coach Gary Bailey said. “We got a runner and scored a run there in the first inning on a couple hits and an error.”
Kalyn Bailey scored the first run of the contest and it came in the top of the first inning. Bailey singled and advanced to third on a ground ball that was mishandled by the second baseman. Bailey scored when a pitch skipped away from the catcher and the Lady Pirates had a one-run lead.
The one-run cushion was all Wheelersburg pitcher Chelsea Chaffin would need.
“When she steps on the mound, she’s under control,” Bailey said of Chaffin. “She doesn’t get excited and nothing bothers her. She hits her spots and she really depends on the defense to play. And we played defense well.”
Chaffin notched the “W” going seven innings giving up no runs and allowing two hits while striking out six and giving up one free pass.
“The rise ball was working today,” Chaffin said. “We prepared all week. So everything was going pretty good. I think we played good, we started off a little slow, but in the last we came out strong and got a couple of runs.”
The loss went to Lexi Kegley, who went the full seven giving up four runs, three earned on six hits. Kegley fanned seven batters and gave up four walks.
Chaffin retired the first seven batters she faced, striking out four.
“Tonight I was really proud of how the girls played,” West coach Bart Evans said. “They actually picked up it up as team. A few errors here and there, a few bloop balls drop in here and there it’s a whole other ball game.”
Evans was named coach shortly before the start of the season, following the resignation of Daryl Brickey.
Clinging to their one-run edge, the Lady Pirates looked to play add on in the fourth frame. Wheelersburg had two on with two outs before Kegley struck out the last batter to end the threat.
The Lady Pirates once again threatened in the fifth inning. After Jamie Clevenger doubled into center field, a walk and a hit bastmen it set the Lady Pirates up with the bases loaded and two out. Once again Kegley got out of the jam forcing a ground out to end the inning.
“We had hits but we couldn’t put hits together.” Bailey said. “We had runners at third in two innings and couldn’t get them across.”
In the seventh inning the Lady Pirates finally broke through. Jamie Clevenger drew a walk and Bailey singled. Lainee Clay then picked up a RBI on a fielder’s choice. Chaffin drove in Bailey and Erica Blair knocked in Clay to give the Lady Pirates the final margin.
Evans talked about what the West-Wheelersburg rivalry.
“Nothing compares to it,” said Evans. “It’s West-Wheelersburg. It’s always been that way. It’s that way for football, softball baseball right on down the line.”
Evans also mentioned what is like for taking over the program.
“It’s an honor to be a coach here at West,” Evans said. “I’m just carrying on right and we’ll see what happens.”
BRET BEVENS can be reached at (740)-353-3101 ext. 242
Wheelersburg 100 000 4 — 4 6 0
West 000 000 0 — 0 2 1
WP: Chaffin; LP: Kegley
Hitting Leaders
Wheelersburg — Clevenger 1-3 2B 2R, Bailey 2-4 2R, Clay 2-2 2B RBI, Blair 1-3 2B RBI.
West — White 1-3, Carver 1-3
Record — Wheelersburg 3-0; West 1-3
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