» PHOTOS: Kenton Ridge vs. Jonathan Alder
The Cougars finished the season 23-2. Jonathan Alder (18-5) handed Kenton Ridge its only losses.
"I told them, 'Hey, nothing to hang your head about,'" Kenton Ridge coach Sarah Schalnat said. "We could have been run-ruled in the fifth, but we weren't. We fought back a little bit by little bit. That's the way it goes."
The Cougars lose five seniors: Turner, catcher Peyton Fleming, designated player Olivia Lee, second baseman Kaycee Sloan and Kerria Himes.
"I can't say enough about the senior class," Schalnat said. "They're a great bunch of kids. Great leadership. Great focus."
» EARLIER COVERAGE: Kenton Ridge beats Monroe in district final
While No. 2 Kenton Ridge and No. 7 Jonathan Alder were near equals in the regular season, splitting two Central Buckeye Conference games and playing extra innings both times, it was all Jonathan Alder in this game.
The Pioneers scored runs in every inning but the second and sixth. They took the lead for good with four runs in the third and scored four more runs in the fourth, three crossing the plate on a home run by Jillian Jakse.
In the fifth, the Pioneers extended their advantage to 12-1 thanks in part to a two-run home run by Lindsey Potter.
Earlier in the game, Kenton Ridge had a brief glimmer of hope. Jonathan Alder took a 1-0 lead in the first, but the Cougars tied the game on an RBI single by Turner in the bottom of the inning. Kenton Ridge had a chance to take the lead in the second, recording three hits but failing to score because of a failed squeeze play.
Jonathan Alder will play Clinton-Massie in the regional final at noon Saturday at Mason High School. Clinton-Massie advanced with an 11-4 victory over Greenville in the first semifinal Wednesday.
Jonathan Alder is one victory away from its second trip in a row to the state semifinals.
"They were definitely the better team today," Schalnat said. "They deserved to win. They did everything right today. We made mistakes today we hadn't made all season, and one mistake after another, we just couldn't overcome it."
About the Author
