LAGRANGE – A quick start by Fairfield Thursday night resulted in the end of Whitko High School’s softball season. In the championship game of Class 3A Sectional 21 at Lakeland High School, Fairfield scored six runs in the top of the first inning, setting the tone for an 11-1 win and its second sectional title in three years. The Lady Falcons, now 23-6 on the season, added two runs in the fifth inning and three more in the seventh, but it was the way Fairfield started the game that appeared to take the wind out of Whitko’s sail. “If we didn’t have that first inning, mindset-wise, it could have been different,” said Whitko coach Michelle Garr, fighting back tears as she talked to reporters. “We’re young, and they were nervous. We’ve never played anything like this before. I honestly don’t know if they remember (the last time Whitko won a sectional), because they were so young.” The Lady Wildcats, who were trying to win their first sectional championship since 2005, finished the season with a record of 16-8. “A big key was Lairen Miller’s hit, that triple, that really just kind of started it, and from then on we put the pressure on them, they made a few mistakes, and we just kept it going,” Fairfield coach John Skibbe said of his team’s quick start. “We didn’t let up in that first inning. That’s the difference in the game. When you jump out like that, it’s an emotional let-down, and they haven’t even batted yet. That takes the wind out of your sail.” Alexis Zook led off the game with a single for the Lady Falcons, followed by Miller’s RBI-triple. Fairfield sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning. By comparison, Whitko only sent a total of 12 batters to the plate during the first the first three innings. Fairfield pounded out 11 hits in the win, led by Miller, who hit a double and a triple. The Wildcats, who left the bases loaded in the fifth inning while trailing 8-1, had six hits in the season-ending loss, but also committed seven fielding errors. Anna Ousley led Whitko with two hits, while Tori Silveus, Aly Nicodemus, Haley Yohe and Hanna Yohe had one hit each. Hanna Yohe was charged with the loss in the circle. She gave up 11 hits, 11 runs and one walk while striking out four Fairfield batters in seven innings of work. Danica Mast picked up the win for the Lady Falcons, going the distance and giving up six hits, one run and one walk while striking out eight Whitko batters. While the loss was disappointing, Garr tried to keep things positive. The Lady Wildcats lose just two seniors, Nicodemus and Maddie Gawthrop, from this year’s squad. “We’re only losing two seniors,” said Garr, whose team was 8-16 last year. “They’re big shoes to fill, but we’ve got kids that are gonna step right in to their spots. I’m looking forward to next year.” Fairfield has a regional game at No. 1 Leo on Tuesday to look forward to. “We have nothing to lose,” said Skibbe. “Leo is a solid team. All we gotta do is focus on throwing strikes and hitting our spots, playing defense. “Their pitcher, I’m sure she’s gonna throw hard, she’s an All-State-caliber pitcher. I know a lot of the information as far as talking to other coaches. We do better against pitchers that throw hard. It’s a lot easier sometimes to catch up with the heat, than deal with slow pitching. We look forward to the challenge, but we’re gonna walk in there with nothing to lose. We’re just gonna go out there and do our best.”
