Wheeling Central Claims Sectional Title in Shutout Victory over Madonna in West Virginia Class A Region One, Section One Championship Game
Knights shut down Blue Dons
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WHEELING -- Having won three consecutive West Virginia Class A state softball championships Wheeling Central knows how to turn up the heat when the calendar flips to May.
However, struggling with youth and defense early on this season having a chance for a fourth consecutive title was never a guarantee.
Monday afternoon Coach Buck Davidson's Maroon Knights got off on the right foot, capturing another Region One, Section One championship.
Sophomore Kyla Tharp tossed a three-hitter, fanning six and walking one, while Kaitlyn Ferns and Ally Davidson both ripped a pair of two-run singles as Central scored all its runs in the first three frames on the way to a convincing 10-0 victory over Madonna Monday on Lisa's Field at the J.B. Chamber's I-470 Sports Complex.
The win sends Davidson's 11-7 record squad into next week's Region One championship.
"We were very shaky early on this season, especially on defense," Buck Davidson said. "But the girls have really come on and been playing better and I think it helps that they can now see what is achievable by playing so well. If we can continue to play defense like we have been doing teams are going to be hard pressed to keep our bats down for an entire game."
The Maroon Knights needed eight hits, but took advantage of three Blue Dons (13-10) errors and did an outstanding job of taking extra bases while Madonna failed to hit their cut-offs from the outfield.
After Maddie Daugherty had opened the contest with a double for the Blue Dons and was stranded at third, Wheeling Central went to work with one out in the bottom of the first.
Jaden Thomas beat out a one-out infield single and went to second when Tharp reached on an error. Ally Davidson reached on a fielder's choice when Thomas beat the throw to third before Ferns dropped a two-run single in front of the center fielder for a quick 2-0 advantage.
Madonna again recorded a quick out to begin the bottom of the second only to see Maggie Fahey reach on an error and speedster Jairika Baylor beat out an infield single.
Thomas followed with an RBI single for a 3-0 reading before Tharp was intentionally walked to load the bases. Davidson and Ferns each ripped two-run singles as hosts pushed the margin to 7-0 after two innings.
Ferns added another two-run single in the third and the Maroon Knights scored their final tally on a wild pitch.
Coach Chris Conti's OVAC Class 1A champions had chances, stranding five on bases, including four in scoring position.
"Our girls did a really good job with the basic things (Monday), including taking extra bases on the throws home," Buck Davidson said.
"An extra base can make a big difference in a game like this and it helped some our hits become two-run hits.
"These girls have really gelled into something great after a slow start, but in the five years I have been here as both an assistant and head coach I have seen it happen all the time.
They always seem to come together and play their best ball this time of year when it matters the most."
While the season has officially ended for Conti and his squad the veteran coach had nothing but praise for his kids.
"We couldn't get the big hit when needed and we made some mistakes in the field early on that really hurt us and you can't do that against a good team like Central, it put us in a hole," Conti said.
"I felt Miranda (Sole) pitched a fantastic game for us, keeping their hitters off-balance, but we had trouble making routine plays behind her.
"I am very proud of these girls and this team.
"They were a great group of coach and I have no disappointment what-so-ever with them.
"With the players we lost from last year I don't believe anyone thought this team could win an OVAC championship and be in the sectional final. I also want to really compliment my three seniors for holding this team together and helping the young kids do what they have done."