By Drew Terhall

Dailyadvocate.com

ARCANUM — The Tri-Village softball team made a big step towards a WOAC crown early in the season. They took down the defending WOAC champions in Arcanum, 5-2, on the road on April 9.

Tri-Village head coach Emily Osborne said she is proud of her team for stepping up in a big game like this against a great opponent.

“This is what we’ve been preparing for. Arcanum always has a solid team from top to bottom on the field and up to bat. Honestly, they had less errors than we did. We just were able to string enough together to call it a win,” Osborne said.

Arcanum head coach Mike Morris said Tri-Village earned this win as they made the winning plays. He feels strongly that this game decided who would win the WOAC.

“I told them, the king has been dethroned. They’re the big dog now. I think tonight was for the league,” Morris said.

Early in the game, Arcanum was able to get base runners in scoring position but couldn’t get them around to score. Sophomore Elizabeth Poling and her defense were able to get the third out without letting Arcanum score.

Osborne said they are proud of Poling for navigating through those tough situations and keeping the Arcanum offense off balanced.

“We’re so proud of her. We were pushing her. So far, she hasn’t had to pitch seven innings. To have the pressure on too, it takes a lot of a mental game out there on the mound,” Osborne said.

Sophomore Camryn Osborne broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a solo home run.

Tri-Village then added three more runs in the fifth inning. Sophomore Tai Mize had a sacrifice groundout to go up 2-0. Senior Kiersten Wilcox had a two-run double to go up 4-0.

The Lady Patriots had the potential to add on more runs as they had bases loaded with two outs in the same inning. Arcanum senior Hannah Kendig was able to get the punch out to end the inning.

The Lady Trojans made a few mistakes that gave the Lady Patriots free outs. Morris said they gave Tri-Village those three runs after they made an error and extended the inning when it should have been over.

Arcanum got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning as senior Emilie Fout drove in a run. Even with two runners in scoring position, the Lady Trojans only came away with that one run.

Morris said it’s taking awhile for the team to make their adjustments at the plate and put the ball in play.

“We’re just not adjusting at the plate quick enough. Right now, I think we’re looking for some leadership. We got to have people who are going to go up there and swing the bat and want to put the ball in play. Somebody that wants to be up there at big moments,” Morris said.

In the top of the seventh inning, Tri-Village scored one more insurance run off a sacrifice flyout by sophomore Aereonna Baker.

Osborne said she was happy to get that run and give them a bigger cushion, especially against a team that will fight to the end in Arcanum. Early this year, Versailles beat them on a walk-off hit in the seventh inning after they couldn’t close the door on them.

“For us we knew even them putting up some runs at the end, we have to play a good mental game. We lost to Versailles that way, in the seventh inning and by one run,” Osborne said. “It’s important that our team learn to fight through it.”

Arcanum made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Like they have all game long, they had runners in scoring position with two outs.

Freshman Matty Noe drove in a run to make it a 5-2 game. But, the Lady Trojans couldn’t keep the rally going. Poling got the final out and sealed a big conference win for Tri-Village.

Kendig pitched six innings for Arcanum and had seven strikeouts. Senior Belle Harleman came in for the final inning and had a strikeout. Poling finished with six strikeouts.

Arcanum is 4-5 on the season with a 2-1 WOAC record. Morris said they still have their tournament goals ahead of them and still have a shot at a WOAC crown if they can take care of business.

But first they have to figure out a way to get back on track. Morris said he will start with shaking up the lineup to try and get some players going at the plate.

“We got to continue to win the rest of these league games and hope somebody knocks them off and get ready for the tournament. I don’t know what it is right now,” Morris said.

Arcanum will be at Milton Union on April 10 and then at Mississinawa Valley on April 11. Both games are set for a 5 p.m. first pitch.

Tri-Village is now 3-1 with a 2-0 WOAC record. They will host St. Henry on April 10 and then head to Ansonia on April 11. Both games are set for a 5 p.m. first pitch.

Contact Daily Advocate sports editor Drew Terhall at [email protected]