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Plymouth’s Horne denies Lisbon a hit
By JACOB RUFFO
Kent
The Lisbon High School softball team’s season ended after the Blue Devils were unable to produce a hit.
Plymouth pitcher Addyson Horne threw a no-hitter on Thursday, recording 15 strikeouts, as the Blue Devils lost, 1-0, in the Division IV regional semifinal at Kent State University.
Horne produced two hits and drove in the only run for Plymouth (22-4).
Lisbon’s only baserunners came on a walk and a catcher’s interference call.
“We had to put the ball in play. If we had put the ball in play, I really feel like we would’ve had a good chance to win,” Lisbon (17-6) head coach Dave Crismon said. “We just didn’t do that.”
Crismon said his pitcher, Sam Tinsley, wasn’t throwing particularly hard, but hit her spots in the tough-luck loss.
Tinsley allowed one run on nine hits. The sophomore will be one of the cornerstones of next year’s team.
“Our pitcher doesn’t get a lot of respect.” Crismon said. “She doesn’t throw the ball very hard. However she moves the ball around.
“She puts it where we need it to be, and our defense behind her is solid.”
Last year, Lisbon lost in the district semifinal. This year’s district title was the first for the Lisbon program.
“It makes me feel very proud to see how far and how good we have gotten,” Lisbon senior Hannah Hiscox said. “We got to see our hard work really pay off.”
Hiscox and Taylor Siefke are the Blue Devils’ seniors.
“It was a great way to end my senior year.” Hiscox said. “We obviously wanted more, but you have to be proud of what we did.”
Siefke agreed.
“I feel very proud of what we’ve done,” Siefke said. “No other Lisbon team has made it this far. Our community was backing us, and it felt great.
“It’s a great way to go out as a senior.”
Crismon said his seniors will be missed.
“They are outstanding leaders, outstanding human beings.” Crismon said “Both [are] 4.0 students. They were important at every practice and in every game.
“To lose here for them is just not getting the cherry on top. They will definitely be missed.
“I’m really proud of the way we hung in there until the end. I don’t think being on this stage had anything to do with our hitting. She was just really good. Hats off to their pitcher.”
The seniors are very excited for the future of the program.
“I think they’re just going to keep getting better and better,” Hiscox said. “If they put in as much work as we all did this year, they will definitely get far.”
Siefke said, “They have a lot of potential for next year, and they can definitely get right back to this spot in the future.”
After 20 years of coaching softball, Crismon looks forward for another opportunity with his returning players.
“They realize what they can do now. This is just the next hurdle.” Crismon said. “We only lose two girls. A lot of the team is coming back. I’m definitely excited for the future of the team.”