Softball | Triway's showcases depth in 7-1 regional semi win over Canfield
MACEDONIA — Canfield had to feel good about where it stood midway through the bottom of the second inning.
It got through the heart of Triway's order and had two strikes on the Titans' No. 8 hitter with one out. Even with two runners on base, one more strike and one more out and the Cardinals would keep the game scoreless against the No. 1 team in Division II.
But the No. 8 batter in Triway's order is Clowie Flinner, a career .413 hitter who'd bat in the middle of most lineups in the state.
She drove in those two baserunners and Triway rolled from there, taking down Canfield 7-1 to advance to Friday's Div. II Nordonia Regional Championship Game. The Titans face Archbishop Hoban, who beat Field 12-4 later in the day, in the final. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. Friday at Nordonia High School.
"I was just thinking base hit, just get on, and it ends up working in your favor," Flinner said. "One through nine or ten — all of us can hit the ball. I think that makes it even more special."
Flinner's two-run single was part of a 3-for-3 day with three RBIs, highlighting a day where the bottom of the Triway's order accounted for six hits and three runs. No. 7 hitter Hanna Massaro went 2-for-3 with a double and No. 9 hitter Emma Hudson went 1-for-2 with a walk.
"The bottom of the lineup took it today, and that was incredible," Triway coach Ron Rock said. "That's what we do. (When) someone is down, someone else is going to pick it up."
Seven of Triway's batters got at least one hit, with Emily Yacapraro also going for a two-hit day. Hailey Massaro drove in a run as well, Katie Hoffa picked up a hit and Emma Flinner and Carter Wachtel each walked once, putting all nine of Triway's batters on base at least once.
Flinner's hit in the second inning kickstarted a five-run frame, with Haylee Pruitt driving in three runs on a soaring double to deep left field to make it 5-0. And with a 5-0 lead, Triway wasn't losing.
"It feels good barrel the ball any time, but the further you go down in the tournament, it always feels a little extra good," Pruitt said.
With Wachtel in the circle, the Titans usually only need to put up a run or two, and that proved to be the case again, even as the star sophomore gave up her first run of the postseason on a Marina Koenig home run in the sixth.
Wachtel's response to Koenig's homer? A smile.
"That's beautiful," Rock said. "Last year she gave up three (home runs) in one game and it didn't faze her."
The unflappable sophomore finished the complete-game effort with nine strikeouts, surrendering four hits. That was after a district and sectional performance where she allowed just one hit over three games.
"She gave up one run," Pruitt said. "You just have to chuckle. The girl had a good hit. Oh well, it's softball. You just have to move on. ... That's probably not the (last) one she'll give up, but it's softball. It happens all the time."
While Triway hasn't had much in-game adversity to deal with this year — the Titans have outscored opponents 307-27 in 28 games — the entire team has displayed the same poise Wachtel showed after giving up her home run. They know if they go out and play their game, they're going to beat almost everyone in their path.
"Every game we just come out and do our thing," Clowie Flinner said. "(We) don't change who we are. We just play for each other and I think that really helps. Every single girl on this team gives 110 (percent) all the time and there's nobody more deserving. We all deserve it and work extremely hard for it.
It's fun. It's honestly fun."
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Softball: Triway advances to regional final with 7-1 win
