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On the defensive: Champion stops West Branch
By Tom Williams
LIBERTY
Cheryl Weaver’s Champion High School softball team has won the Division III state title three times since 2011. So it means a lot when Weaver says this year’s team is a little different in a good way.
“They are better defensively than any of the teams that I’ve ever had — .982 is their fielding percentage,” Weaver said. “I never had a team in the .980s.” The Golden Flashes’ defensive skills were on full display in Friday’s 1-0 victory over West Branch at Liberty Township Park. The showdown between two of the Mahoning Valley’s top teams was part of the fourth Mahoning Valley Invitational sponsored by Boardman and South Range.
“Kenzie pitched a fabulous game [but] the defense made the difference,” Weaver said. “We knew this was going to be a battle.”
McKenzie Zigmont (13-1) scattered five hits, striking out seven and walking none for the Flashes (18-4).
“I feel like the defense did more than I actually did,” Zigmont said. “They kept the ball in front, they did a tremendous job making the plays.”
The Flashes’ final play epitomized the game for the Warriors (20-4). Kylie Coffelt singled to lead off the seventh inning. After a strikeout, Dani Lough lined out to third baseman Abby White. The freshman fired a strike to first baseman Amber Ricci to erase Coffelt who was scrambling to get back to the bag.
“That was big,” Zigmont said.
West Branch coach Sis Woods expected a strong game.
“That’s why we come up here because you get to face some good teams before tournament,” said Woods whose Warriors are the top seed at the Division II Alliance district.
“We out-hit them five to three but we just didn’t put anything together.”
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning. With her effective changeup, Coffelt (9-4) kept the Flashes from getting comfortable at the plate.
“She’s got a fabulous changeup,” Weaver said. “She’s probably one of the best changeup throwers we’ll ever see.”
Coffelt tossed a three-hitter, striking out nine and walking one. At least four of the strikeouts came with a changeup.
After Molly Williams tripled to lead off the sixth inning, she scored on a throwing error after Ricci grounded out. Williams, who said she’s friends with Coffelt, said a 2-0 count gave her the chance.
“I kept saying in my head, ‘Don’t swing at the changeup,’ but it didn’t work out in my second at-bat,” Williams said of a third-inning strikeout.
“It was 2-0 so I knew the changeup wasn’t coming,” Williams said. “I figured it would either be a fastball or curveball.”
Williams’ solid hit landed behind right fielder Trisha Rinaldi.
“They had their nice hit and they took advantage of the one mistake that we had,” Woods said. “Overall, we played well. Both pitchers pitched well.”
The Warriors twice escaped jams. In the first inning, Williams singled and Zigmont walked but were stranded. In the fifth inning, Alayna Fell doubled and took third on a wild pitch before a groundout ended the threat.
Twice, the Warriors sacrificed runners (Maddie Pidgeon in the first inning, Grace Heath in the third) to second base where they were stranded.
Williams and Zigmont didn’t mind the nail-biter.
“[This type] is the most fun,” the pitcher said.
Williams, her catcher, said: “Those are the best games, the ones that come down to the last play, the last inning.”