W. Reserve banks on another district title

Their senior pitcher also contributed at the plate in a 4-1 win.
By JIM FLICK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CORTLAND -- Led by ace Stevie Banks on the mound, the Western Reserve High softball team won its second consecutive district title Friday by defeating Windham, 4-1.
The Blue Devils (20-5) were led by their senior pitcher who struck out seven while pitching a complete game to raise her season record to 13-2.
Banks "kept the ball down and kept them guessing," Western Reserve coach Joe Serensky said.
Banks also contributed on offense, doubling in the second inning and capping Western Reserve's scoring with an RBI single in the fifth inning.
The Blue Devils' offense was led by McKenzie Mowery, who rapped out four hits, including a triple, in four at-bats.
Western Reserve's next game a regional semifinal on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Kent State University.
Early lead
Against the Bombers, the Blue Devils struck first when Cassie Zimmerman singled to left in the second inning to drive in the game's first run.
Two more runs crossed the plate for Western Reserve in the fourth inning. Oliva Myers and Zimmerman singled to open the inning, and Windham players committed two errors to allow two runs to cross the plate.
The scoring parade was cut short by a double play turned in by the Bombers.
Mowery singled to open the fifth inning for Western Reserve, advanced to second on Erika Goddard's sacrifice bunt and scored when Banks singled.
With the score 4-0 and rain starting to fall, Banks pitched intensely in the bottom of the fifth, striking out two batters and catching an infield fly to end the inning.
Windham (15-9) ended the shutout in the bottom of the seventh. Facing elimination, Josie Eckman singled to center. Eckman advanced to second on a groundout and scored when Jen Knight singled to right to make the score 4-1.
After the team accepted the district championship trophy, Banks said, "This is what we wanted all year."
Intensity on the mound
Banks' intensity is clearly visible as she pitches, and she said that's one of her strengths.
"It's an intense game, it's exciting," Banks said. "You have to go out with all the excitement you have to do well."
Western Reserve batters were credited with 11 hits, including a triple by Mowery and doubles by Banks and Elizabeth Srock.
"We kept the pressure on them, getting the bat on the ball and keeping the ball in play," Serensky said.
Serensky said his team's defense also was a key to the win. The Blue Devils committed no errors and made several strong defensive plays.
Serensky cited Myers with outstanding defensive play in left field.
For Windham, Jodi Stanley and Alex Roubic hit doubles, and sophomore Kayte Tutor pitched a complete game.