Friday (5/23) it was a game of opportunities as Antwerp and Continental met for a DVII Napoleon District Semifinal. The Archers had 6 baserunners in the game and scored 3 times while the Pirates left 2 runners on base in 3 different innings and could manage just 2 runs. Both teams came out early and it looked to be a high scoring affair as the Archers plated 2 runs on 2 hits to take a 2-0 after their first at bat. The Pirates opened the game off with a single by Kenzie Searfoss. A force at second left Ava Homier at first. Ava Homier advanced to second and was driven in by Gracie Homier to make it 2-1 Archers. The Archers would get 1 hit and 1 walk in the next 3 innings but would not score. The Pirates got hits from Macie Clemens and Searfoss and had 1st and 2nd with one out but could not score in the third. In the fourth the Pirates would get a single from Kimberly Grant and a double from Cheyenne Goings to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out but again could not drive them home. The Archers leadoff hitter got a single and scored through aggressive baserunning to take a 3-1 lead in the fifth. The Pirates would get hits from Macie Clemens and Gracie Homier to open up the sixth and cut the Archer lead to 3-2. The Pirates final at bat saw Ava Homier get on with a single and the Archers pitched carefully to Gracie Homier and walked her to make it 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. A pop fly to short stop ended the Pirates rally and season. Archers 3-2.
The Pirates had 9 hits for the game with Kenzie Searfoss, Ava Homier and Kimberly Grant all hitting a pair of singles. Ava Homier scored a run and Grant drove in a run. Cheyenne goings hit a double and scored a run. Gracie Homier had a hit, a walk and drove in a run. Macie Clemen hit a single. The Pirates had a 10-6 advantage on baserunner. Antwerp committed 1 error to the Pirates 1.
Gacie Homier pitched a complete game giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, 1 walk and 12 strikeouts.
#2 seed Continental ends their season at 15-8 and finishes the season with a Sectional and Putnam County League Championship. #4 Antwerp improves to 11-13 and faced #1 Ayersville in the District finals on Saturday. Ayersville was a 7-0 winner and advances to Regional play at Bowling Green State University where they will play Tiffin Calvert on Wednesday. Hilltop and Mohawk make up the other side of the bracket.
Congratulations to this years Seniors on back to back PCL Titles and a Sectional title this year. The contributions of Becca Stark, Raegen Clemens, Cheyenne Goings and Allie Weller will be missed. Good Luck in you future endeavors!
–Mike Jones, Sportwriter
