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Bridgeport Bulldogs Fall in OVAC Title Tilt

Photo by Kristin Mazgaj Bridgeport pitcher Brooklyn Ruble takes aim and fires during Saturday’s OVAC 2A Championship game against Clay-Battelle at the I-470 Complex.

WHEELING — Bridgeport ran into a buzz-saw Saturday afternoon in the person of Caitlyn Kassay.

Clay-Battelle’s talented junior right-hander spun a gem against the Bulldogs in the OVAC 2A championship game at the I-470 J.B. Chambers Complex. Kassay struck out 17 and allowed just two hits in carrying the Cee-Bees to their first OVAC softball title in school annals by a 4-0 count.

Kassay allowed just two Bulldogs to reach second base in her dominating effort. The win was the 23rd against a single defeat for Clay-Battelle.

The loss dropped Don Cash’s defending OVAC champion Bulldogs to 13-6 while spoiling a sharp pitching effort from Brooklyn Ruble. The talented senior fanned 12 and allowed just three hits but was victimized by three unearned runs.

“This really feels special. Winning an OVAC title is great but being the first in school history makes it that much nicer,” Clay-Battelle coach Butch Varner said. “Our motto all year has been ‘stay humble and stay hungry.’ I think we displayed that (Saturday).

“We beat a good team with a real talented pitcher. It made things easier getting a couple runs early.”

Clay-Battelle broke through for a pair of runs in the first inning, both of the unearned variety. After Ruble recorded a strikeout to start the frame, Madison Statler reached on an error. A walk and and another Bulldog error enabled two Cee-Bees to touch the plate.

Clay-Battelle added an insurance run in the third, again thanks to a Bridgeport miscue. Ruble fanned the first batter before Kassay singled. She stole two bases and scored on a throwing error, making it a 3-0 lighting.

The Cee-Bees pushed across their final run in the fourth inning. Cameron Watson walked with one out and scored on a Rylee Burnette single.

“I tip my hat to Kassay. She pitched a super game,” Cash said. “We just couldn’t put the ball into play enough.

“We made some mistakes in the first inning which put us in an early hole. That is not where you want to be against a pitcher like Kassay. Brooklyn pitched good enough to win.”

The title game had been on hold for a week due to weather issues and Clay-Battelle sectional tournament obligations.

Bridgeport mounted two scoring opportunities.

In the first inning, senior dandy Angie Sommer singled with one out. She advanced to second on a wild pitch but Kassay struck out the next two Bulldogs.

In the sixth, Jaren Tucker opened the frame drawing a walk and quickly stole second. Kassay again was up to the task, fanning three successive Bulldogs.

“Caitlyn pitched one tremendous game (Saturday). She is a model of total dedication,” Varner said. “Her work ethic and leadership skills are second to none.”

Cash, who has guided the Bulldog softball program to much success during his tenure, is not ready to put the wraps on the campaign.

“This loss is going to sting for a while. But back in early April when we were 3-3 it was doubtful we would be playing for another OVAC title,” he said. “We still have a lot of softball left to play. We host Conotton Valley in a sectional game Monday, and if we win that we will host another sectional game.”

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