BUCYRUS — Bucyrus’ Ashley Davis saved the best for last.

On senior day, Davis came within one out of tossing a no-hitter — settling for a one-hitter — as the Lady Redmen blanked visiting Seneca East, 3-0, in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game Saturday at Jack Hewitt Field.

It was a fitting send-off for Davis and her senior classmates Karmyn Blizzard — her battery mate on the one-hitter — and Scarlett Perry.

Davis tried to remain focused on the task at hand, but it became increasingly difficult as the innings passed.

“I was trying not to think about (the no-hitter) and I wasn’t really when I was on the field,” Davis said. “But then we’d come in the dugout, and I’d look at what inning it was, and I’d say, ‘Oh, yea.’”

The Redmen took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, all the runs Davis would ultimately need. Kendra Blizzard was safe on an error with one out. She stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch.

Isabella Bruss walked and stole second, setting the table for Davis, who lined a sharp single to left-center field, scoring Blizzard and Bruss.

It was one of only three hits allowed by Lady Tigers’ starter, Abby Drosky, who struck out three and walked five in her five innings in the circle.

“It was a pitchers’ duel,” Seneca East coach Steve Heal said. “A lot of zeroes went up on the scoreboard.

“(Abby) pitched a nice game and then we brought in Kiersten Cook. She’s our senior pitcher. She’s pitched the last two games, but she wanted to pitch the last inning of her senior year. She’s been really good for us all year.”

“(Drosky) pitched well,” Bucyrus coach Jerry Hargis said. “We hit some shots but right at somebody. We couldn’t find some holes. But that’s the way it’s been all year.”

With Davis pitching, Bucyrus (3-12, 3-10 N10) made the most of its limited offense. The only other run of the game came in the fourth. Ady Rister drew a one-out walk and came around to score on a double by Lexi Payne.

Davis struck out 14 — nine in a row at one point — and walked only one. The only Tiger baserunner was Drosky, the cleanup hitter, who got the walk to lead off the fifth.

“I was mad when I walked that first baserunner on, especially on four (straight) balls,” Davis said.

Drosky then broke up the no-no with two outs in the top of the seventh. She hit a 1-1 pitch into left field for a solid single. Davis then retired Cook on a ground out back to her to end the game.

“We struggled offensively,” Heal said. “In the three phases of the game — offense, defense, and pitching — we did well in two out of three. But we didn’t get enough in the offensive department to give ourselves a chance.”

The only other hit of the game was a one-out pinch-hit single by Danica Rowalt in the bottom of the sixth.

“They’re very capable of playing well and we’re very capable of playing well,” Hargis said. “Have we done that throughout the season? We’ve been spotty and Seneca East has been the same way.”

It was a special day all around for the three seniors.

“I wasn’t really thinking about (the no-hitter),” Karmyn Blizzard said. “I was just, ‘See ball, catch ball.’ When they got that hit, I was kind of upset, but then we got the out right after that.”

Karmyn was emotional over playing her last home game with her sister, sophomore Kendra.

“I was holding pretty strong, but I came in (at the end of the game) and (Kendra) was crying. So, I said, ‘OK, now I’m sad,” Karmyn said.

Perry, who was primarily a role player, but got a turn at the plate in her final home game, reflected on her career.

“Just being here with Ashley and Karmyn — knowing the journey we took from last year and not playing our sophomore year because of COVID — this was our last home game,” Perry said. “It was unbelievable.”

“(This game) means a lot to me, because again, our last game here,” Davis said. “For years, I was behind a great pitcher (Caleigh Rister). I’ve known that was my role, to be the No. 2 pitcher. Coming in being the No. 1 pitcher, I was excited for it. I’m just glad this is how our last (home) game went.”

Seneca East (3-16, 2-12) will say good-bye to two seniors, Cook and Brooke Bordner. Heal says they will be difficult to replace.

“They’ve been two really good four-year starters,” Heal said. “They worked really hard and they’re really good leaders. It’s hard to see them go. But that’s (part of) being a coach — every year you have a group of seniors leave and you have a new group step forward.”

Hargis credited Davis with stabilizing the team.

“She was behind Caleigh Rister for three years,” Hargis said. “For her to keep working to where she is speaks volumes. It would be easy for her not to be a pitcher. But she hung in there. She’s going to have success in life because she knows how to work.”

Box score

Seneca East   000 000 0      0        1        1

Bucyrus            200 100 X      3        3        0

WP: Ashley Davis (14 SO, 1 W)

LP: Abby Drosky (3 SO, 5 W)

HR: None.

Triples: None.

Doubles: (B) Lexi Payne.

Multiple hits: None.

Records: Seneca East 3-16, 2-12 N10; Bucyrus 3-12, 3-10 N10.

Next: Seneca East season over; Bucyrus at Carey, Tuesday.