BUCYRUS — Spreng Capital softball coaches Kyle Laipply and B.J. Massey relied on their consistent right-handed pitcher, Alyssa Massey, all year. Alyssa trusted on her team’s outstanding defense, which led them to finish 12-0 record in the regular season of the Major Softball League.
In the county tournament, including the championship game Thursday evening at Aumiller Park, it was more of the same.
Massey and SC defense were almost flawless against the Bucyrus Lions Club, allowing only one base runner in a 15-0 shutout. That lone base runner was Lions left fielder Jenna Filliater who singled hard up the middle in the second inning.
Massey struck out two batters, walking none. Offensively Spreng Capital used all their tools in the bat bag, playing small ball, using speed and aggressive base running as well as some big bats.
Allie Bessinger led Spreng Capital with a home run and a single. Lily Laipply, Kate McGuire and Caroline Sheldon singled twice. Brooke Frombaugh homered and Callie Armstrong, Massey, Aubrey Ritzler all singled.
Callie Ziemba was the losing pitcher for Lions, giving up 12 hits, striking out four while walking three with the defense committing four errors.
If anything, both the pitching and defense were even better for Spreng Capital during the tournament. SC defeated New Washington Fire Department 17-2 in the opening round of the tournament. Massey allowed just two hits while striking out three batters and walking one.
Spreng Capital hammered out 16 hits led by Alivia Ritzler with three singles. Ally Liming homered and singled. Bessinger tripled and singled, Laipply and Paige Sheldon singled twice. Massey doubled and Aubrey Ritzler, McGuire, Caroline Sheldon, and Emily Stauffer all singled.
In the semifinal, Spreng Capital used their speedy leadoff batter, Laipply, and a single by Kate McGuire to manufacture just enough runs on three hits to top Galion’s hard throwing right hander who struck out 11. Laipply singled twice, scored twice, and drove in one in the 4-2 victory. Massey was on the mound again allowing two hits, striking out six, and walking four. Spreng Capital’s defense was once again outstanding, especially the outfield. Aubrey Ritzler, Bessinger, and Liming all made game-saving plays in the outfield. With the win in the championship, Spreng Capital finished the year 15-0.
Lions made an improbable run the championship game, entering the tournament as the No. 7 seed with a 4-8 record. Lions defeated Buckeye Central Nauchers and the No. 2 and No. 3 seeded Colonel Crawford teams to reach the final.
The Lions Club was coached by Cory Tyrrell, Arron Weber, and Nicole Frazier. The roster consisted of Olivia Angel, Savannah Clark, Grace Clarkson, Jenna Filliater, Ni’cia Floyd, Aubrie Kimmel, Maci Messerschmidt, Danaiya Ridgeway, Makenzie Sweeney, Maddison Tyrrell, Addison Weber, and Callie Ziemba.
The roster of Spreng Capital included Ally Liming, Allie Bessinger, Brooke Frombaugh, Lily Laipply, Caroline Sheldon, Alivia Ritzler, Alyssa Massey, Emily Stauffer, Callie Armstrong, Kate McGuire, Aubrey Ritzler, and Paige Sheldon.