(Tuesday, May 12th 2015): NAPOLEON—The 2015 post-season was underway for Coach Cain and the Lady Indians as they geared up and ventured south to take on the Napoleon Wildcats in the Sectional Semi-finals. The two formidable opponents were both determined to progress further into the post-season.
After a scoreless top of the 1st inning, Wauseon’s defense was tested in the bottom of the inning as Tefft gave up a 2-run homer to the Wildcats. Senior Ashley Smith would help Wauseon end the bewildering start to the game with two phenomenal catches in deep and shallow center field.
Spirits were lifted in the top of the 2nd inning as Tefft lined into deep center for a stand-up double; however, she would overshoot the bag and was tagged out by the throw to 2nd. Freshman Madalyn Martinez drove in a run on a double to put Wauseon on the scoreboard 3-1. After walking two batters, Tefft gave up a single to load the bases for the Wildcats. The team would gather to the mound to offer their pitcher encouragement—results would quickly ensue as Tefft struck out the following batter & proceeded to catch a line-drive and throw to 1st for a double play to end the inning.
After a 1-2-3 inning, Wauseon’s defense would allow two more runs before 1st baseman Oliviah Banister made a great stretch to catch a ground-out to end the inning. Martinez also made a stellar throw to home to tag out the runner & preventing another Wildcat from scoring. Following a scoreless 4th inning, Senior Jordan Sloan hit a single in the top of the 5th & would steal second on a ground out. Sloan would steal another base on a wild pitch but unfortunately was left on base after a ground out ended the inning.
A quick 6th inning paved way for Wauseon to muster their final bout to try and overcome a 5-1 deficit in the top of the 7th.
Unfortunately any hope waned quickly for Wauseon: Spadafore would strike out, Chamberlain hit a high fly ball to Napoleon’s pitcher, and Martinez would strike out to end the game.
Tefft accumulated 5 runs on 7 hits with 5 walks and 4 errors in her full game against the Wildcats. Tefft would also amass the most hits for the Indians with two while teammates Sloan, Martinez, Brianna Coblentz, and Spadafore all managed 1 apiece; Coblentz would score the only run on a double by Martinez in the loss to Napoleon.
