ELKHART – Wednesday’s Class 4A sectional semifinal game at Elkhart Memorial High School wasn’t nearly as charming as coach Jim Speicher and his Warsaw softball team hoped it would be. Playing the fourth-ranked Northridge Lady Radiers for the third time this season, the Lady Tigers’ season ended with a 6-1 loss. The Lady Tigers, who fell 12-2 and 13-1 to Northridge during the regular season, had hoped to duplicate last year’s turnaround, as they lost to Northridge twice but responded with a win in sectional play. “We had our chances, and who knows what happens if we score a couple runs early,” said Speicher, whose team finished the season with a 19-10 record. “They got some runs and settled in. You have to tip your hat to them.” Warsaw loaded the bases in the top of the first inning and had other opportunities throughout the game, but didn’t plate a run until the seventh inning when Northridge was already ahead 6-0. The Lady Raiders, who improved to 27-1 on the season and advanced to Friday’s sectional final against Elkhart Central (15-11), scored three runs in the first inning and another in the second. With ace sophomore Haley Nixon pitching for Northridge, the 4-0 deficit may have seemed more like a 10-0 hole to Warsaw. “Nixon is the best underclassmen pitcher in the area, and she proved it again tonight,” said Speicher. “Give her and her coaches a lot of credit. She made pitches when she needed to. Northridge is a very solid team.” In running her pitching record to 25-1, Nixon worked all seven innings, giving up nine hits. Sophomore Kara Dishman had the Lady Tigers’ only extra-base hit, a double in the seventh inning. Dishman also tallied Warsaw’s only run, scoring on an RBI-single by junior Emily Stouder. Indiana University-bound senior Kelsey Dotson, junior Kiera Stahly and Dishman had two hits each for Warsaw, while Valparaiso-bound senior Kendra Marshall, sophomore Ashley Ousley and Stouder had one hit each. “I was happy with our approach, and the girls did every thing we asked of them,” said Speicher. “We just didn’t score enough runs. I’m proud of the way the girls battled. A couple more hits and it would have been interesting.” Leading 4-0, Northridge sent eight batters to the plate in the fifth inning, as they put two more runs on the scoreboard. The Lady Raiders had eight hits in the win. Senior Brittany Wingard led the way with two hits and three RBIs. Normally the starting centerfielder, Wingard had a hamstring injury and only batted Wednesday. Though she could barely run to first after making contact with the ball, Wingard was the only Northridge player to record multiple hits. Senior Conner Crist had the Lady Raiders’ only extra-base hit, a double in the second inning. Senior Cari O’Hara started the game for the Lady Tigers and was charged with the loss, pitching the first, second and sixth innings. Freshman Taylor Stiver worked the third, fourth and fifth inings for Warsaw. O’Hara, a JV pitcher a year ago, set a school record this season with 15 wins. She is among four seniors that Speicher must replace, joining Dotson, Marshall and Sam Bennett. Dotson and Marshall batted third and fourth and brought plenty of power and talent to Warsaw’s lineup. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and they are the best as far as their love of the game,” Speicher said of Dotson and Marshall. “We’re going to miss their physical presence and their leadership. I’ll miss what she (Dotson) did behind the plate more than the home runs. The average fan doesn’t realize how she dominates a game from behind the plate. “Kendra is a very smart player,” continued Speicher. “She’s been in Kelsey’s shadow for four years, but she’s done a great job. They’re wonderful friends and great teammates.” Dotson led the Lady Tigers with 12 home runs this season, while Marshall added 10. Marshall set the school record for RBIs in a season. “Kendra and I are very close,” said an emotional Dotson, as tears started to run down her cheeks. “You get very close to your teammates. They’re like family.”
NORTHRIDGE 6, WARSAW 1 War 000 000 1 – 1 9 0 NR 310 020 X – 6 8 1 Cari O’Hara (L), Taylor Stiver (3rd), O’Hara (6th) and Kelsey Dotson; Haley Nixon (W) and Conner Crist 2B – Kara Dishman (War), Crist (NR) Records: Warsaw 19-10, Northridge 26-1 Other semifinal: Elkhart Central 5, Goshen 4 Championship: Northridge vs. Elkhart Central, Friday, 7 p.m.
