The Crestwood Red Devils’ softball team’s goal of rolling into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV postseason on an upward trajectory took a step in the direction when they defeated Valley Forge 12-1 last Saturday afternoon in Mantua.
“We put up double-digit hits and double-digit runs,” said Coach Matt Helm. “We only had one error which was an empty deal It wasn’t a rough error but that was even with subbing in our younger players at the end, but it was overall a very complete game and one of our better ones of the year for sure.”
Following a series of Portage County road duels with Garfield on Monday and Streetsboro on Wednesday, Crestwood (6-10, 3-7) will have a chance to compete in the OHSAA Division IV district semifinal against Portage County foe Field on May 19 if it can defeat Orange in the sectional championship on Thursday evening in Pepper Pike at 5 p.m.
“It took a little longer, but they are starting to see who they are and what they are capable of and what kind of run they can make,” noted the third-year coach. “We got a few games before Orange on Thursday so we will keep the foot on gas and keep improving and I think we will be alright.”
On Saturday, the Red Devils delivered a message in the bottom of the first when they scored three runs on two hits, one walk and capitalized on a throwing error by the Patriots.
Freshman shortstop Jocelyn Johnson delivered a RBI-double to left field, followed by a RBI-single to right field off the bat of junior third baseman Abby Hayes. Hayes caused havoc on the basepaths, stealing second and third base and then scoring on a fielding error by the catcher.
According to the third-year coach, it was a great start for Crestwood but did not feel that it was a decisive inning.
The Red Devils followed up after a promising first inning with a better second frame, scoring four more runs, increasing the lead to 7-0.
Sophomore pitcher Bella Stier hit a RBI-single to center fielder, Johnson plated another run with an infield RBI-single to shortstop and Hayes yanked a two-run double to right field, pushing Crestwood out to a commanding lead.
The Patriots responded with a RBI-double by senior catcher Kylie Clark in the top of the third, but the Red Devils combined to score five more runs across the third and fourth inning, extending the lead to 12-1 and triggered the mercy rule after the top half of the fifth, as the lead had exceeded 10 runs.
Crestwood showed a little of everything at the plate in the first two frames, including some extra-base power and ultimately finished the game with four extra-base hits, all plating at least one run.
Over the Red Devils’ last two games, they have combined to score 27 runs on 31 hits, which Helm sees as a positive sign of growth for a Red Devils’ team that has relied heavily on an underclassmen core to fuel the team to success.
Although the results were not instantly successful, Helm said that the Red Devils’ primary mission this season was to get all the underclassmen adjusted to the speed of varsity play, and it appears they are settling in at the right time with the playoffs around the corner.
“Our two-through six are actually swinging the bat really well and then even the back half of the lineup gets some quality and much needed timely hits,” he said. “Against Rootstown on Thursday, I had all 11 players record a hit and yesterday I think all of our starters almost recorded a hit or almost put the ball in play or contributed in some way. They are starting to really be more complete and play as a team.”
“They are feeling it and they understand what is going on and what we have been preaching as coaches,” noted Helm. “I walked into the last practice and as a coach and I saw players helping other players and leading during hitting. It was like this is where we want to be, and this is what we want to see and it is coming into play and starting to turn around the way that we wanted it to.”
Helm highlighted how the Red Devils have shown resiliency in a season marred with inconsistency, and for the team to be showing its true offensive potential near the end of the season not only has set it up for playoff action but also for the next several years, as the Crestwood softball program is brimming with talent in the lower levels.
