Champion lives up to its name

By Ryan Jones

Hubbard had a shot to claim the TAC-8 softball title outright.

CHAMPION — There were several moments of trepidation — Hubbard had runners on second and third with one out in the top of the seventh with the score 4-4 — before Champion procured the game-winning run in the final half of the inning.

The 5-4 triumph gave the Flashes (14-5, 12-2 Trumbull Athletic Conference) a share of the final league title with Hubbard (16-6, 12-2.)

Champion coach Cheryl Weaver said being co-champs of the last TAC title made the achievement extra special.

“To share the championship with Hubbard who’s a Division II school and a good team means a lot,” she said. “I’m not sure how many people were giving us a chance to win this game. We came through when we needed to.”

With one out and the game tied in the seventh, Taylor Prestel walked and advanced to second on Megan Frantz’ single up the middle.

After Dana Thompson struck out, center fielder Amanda Sain hit a grounder to short and beat out the throw to first base. Rachel Quinn, a pinch runner for Prestel at second, came around to score the game winning run.

Weaver said she brought Quinn in as a pinch runner to put her team in the best position to score the winning run.

“Quinn is the second fastest runner on our team,” she said. “Amanda [Sain] is a contact hitter with a high on-base percentage and we were hoping for her to put the ball in play. She took off at the sound of the bat and beat the throw home after Amanda was safe at first.”

Hubbard had its shot to claim the TAC title outright in the top of the seventh, but failed to score with runners on second and third and one out.

Jessica Lunt, who doubled to lead off the frame, stood on third after Meagan Schultz hit a grounder and reached second as the throw sailed wide of first base. However, Morgan White struck out the next two Hubbard batters to end the threat.

Hubbard coach Ken Miller said his team was ready to take the lead, but failed to come through.

“We had the runners on, but we didn’t execute,” he said. “They put the ball in play in the same situation and won the game — we didn’t. The loss was tough for the team to take, but we’re still co-champs.”

White threw a complete game eight-hitter. She struck out 11 and walked one.

Weaver said the team has called upon White’s left arm for much of the season.

“She’s only a sophomore and mostly skin and bones,” she said. “She puts all she has into her pitches. She really digs deep when she needs to, and you can see by the look on her face that she’s a competitor.”

Shortstop Katie Saluga gave Champion a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when she doubled home White from second base. With the score 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Saluga tied the contest with a two-run homer to left.

“Katie has started varsity since she was a freshman and she’s one of our best hitters,” Weaver said. “I’m not surprised that she rose to the occasion.

“She’s the kind of player that does whatever the team needs. For the past three seasons she played catcher, but this year we needed a shortstop and she’s made a great transition for us.”

Heather Shadden launched a solo home run in the sixth for Hubbard, which made the score 4-2. Jessica Lunt, Gabby Flynn and Chelsea Callow all hit doubles in the loss.