Snyder, Wenning lead win over 'Cats

NEW BREMEN, Ohio - The Indians know the importance of timing.

A year ago the Fort Recovery High School softball team went winless in the Midwest Athletic Conference before beating a pair of league foes to win the sectional title. So heading into Saturday's sectional opener on a five-game losing streak meant nothing.

The Tribe was ready for tournament time again, defeating Minster for the second time this season 3-2 to earn a berth in Wednesday's sectional finale against St. Henry at 5 p.m.

"It was a battle," said FRHS coach Marie Osterholt, whose team got its only MAC win this year 2-1 over Minster April 23. "Both teams battled hard. We took advantage of the a couple of their mistakes and they took advantage of a couple of ours. Joanna (Snyder) came up with a big hit and scored the winning run."

The mistakes came early as both teams scored a pair of runs in the first inning before the pitchers locked down.

The next four innings were scoreless before Kinsey Wenning helped her own cause with a one-out single in the sixth. Kelsey Faller, who also scored in the first inning, entered as a courtesy runner for Wenning a second time, and Joanna Snyder came up with her second big hit.

The senior shortstop singled through the left side of the infield, and the ball hit the lip of the grass hard and took a big hop. It flew almost all the way to left fielder Lynn Sherman before hitting the grass just in front of her and then skidding between her legs. The ball went all the way to the fence, allowing Faller to score from first base.

"(Megan) Stueve pitched a heck of a game," said Osterholt of the Minster pitcher who struck out 12 Indians. "I thought (late) she didn't throw as many rise balls and we connected better. She's a really good pitcher."

The Wildcats (10-8) had a great opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Laura Timmerman got a one-out, infield single.

Molly Thobe followed with a single to right field, and an error pushed the runners to second and third.

Dana Brandewie hit a ground ball to third baseman Kendra Brunswick, who looked Timmerman back and then chose to hold on to the ball allowing Brandewie to load the bases. However, Minster could not come up with the big hit.

Wenning got a grounder from Sherman, and the throw home forced out Timmerman. Wenning then struck out Gina Floyd to end the game.

"They settled down in the seventh inning," said Osterholt, who met with her team on the mound after Minster loaded the bases. "Kinsey got it done.

"I think she showed her senior leadership."[[In-content Ad]]