Road Runner Elite compete in Canton
COSHOCTON – The Road Runner Elite 18U travel softball team went three for four facing some of the best softball players in Northern and Central Ohio at the Best of the Best Tournament in Canton June 28-30 this past weekend.
In Friday’s pool games, the team overcame some shaky defense to defeat Ohio Ice Red 9-6. Abby Bumbico (Martins Ferry/Wheeling Jesuit) scattered five hits and gave up zero earned runs to get the complete game victory. Megan Kelley (Indian Creek/Lourdes) hit two singles and a double, scoring two runs to lead the offense. Maiah Bell (Philo), Janessa Dawson (Tri-Valley/Grove City, PA) and Kieran Johnson (Wheeling Park) all had two singles, and Bell and Johnson had two RBI’s. Facing a five run deficit in the second pool game, the team scored four runs in the final two innings but it was too little too late as Wolfpack Hysong took the 6-4 win. Kearstin (Utie) Dumolt (Tri-Valley/Muskingum) and Bumbico each had two singles. Jenna Jaskowiak (St. Clairsville) took the loss on the mound. In the nightcap against the Ohio Emeralds, Dawson gave up two runs in the first inning and shut them down after that but the Runners could not manage a single base runner as the Emeralds pitcher, Sarah Cantley threw a seven-inning perfect game.
In Saturday’s first pool game against Ohio Ice Lovins, Bumbico allowed only two hits as the Runners won 4-1. Kelley went three for three, smacking three doubles with an RBI and run scored to lead the team at the plate. Claire Warschauer (River View/Muskingum) had two singles and scored a run. Johnson scored twice on a double and single, Taylor Gallentine (St. Clairsville/Muskingum) had two singles with an RBI, and Jaskowiak ripped a double. In the final pool game, the Runners lost 8-1 to Wolfpack Dudek. Riley Conkle (Coshocton/West Liberty) had three singles in three at bats and scored the only run. Jaskowiak took the loss on the mound.
On Sunday the team began the single elimination bracket play facing a tough Ohio Bandits team. Dawson had five strikeouts and scattered six hits to get the complete game shutout win. In the second inning, Conkle ripped an RBI double scoring Kelley who also had a stolen base. In the third, Dawson smacked a double and Gallentine went in as a courtesy runner. She took third base on a throwing error and then scored on a successful suicide squeeze bunt by Warschauer to secure the 2-0 victory. Continuing in the bracket, the team faced a second Ohio Emeralds team. Bumbico gave up four runs in the second and Dawson came in relief in the third shutting them down for two and two thirds innings before allowing four unearned runs in the fifth. Bumbico came back in to shut the Emeralds down the rest of the way but the damage had been done. Offensively, Gallentine, Dawson and Warschauer each singled in the third to score the only run for the Runners as they exited the tournament with an 8-1 loss.
Category: High School, Sports
