Softball: Pickerington Central falls to Watkins Memorial in regional final
ThisWeek group
The Pickerington Central softball team went toe-to-toe with second-ranked Watkins Memorial for 4 ½ innings in a Division I regional final May 29 using the aggressive approach that brought it to within a win of its first state tournament in 14 years.
“We weren’t changing anything. What we’ve been doing has been working and we stuck with it,” Tigers coach Stephanie Peterson said. “I wasn’t trying to overthink it. Keeping it simple is how we’ve been successful all year.”
Central benefited from a fielder’s choice, two errors and several hard-hit balls to forge a 3-all tie into the fifth, but four Warriors home runs amid a stiff north wind and temperatures in the mid-40s at Olentangy Berlin powered Watkins Memorial to a 13-3 win in six innings and the program’s first regional championship.
The Delaware Hayes softball team came up short in its campaign for a district title, but coach Mark Thomas said the Pacers should be proud of what they accomplished this season.
DeSales Roundup: Gabby Mahaffey helps get Stallions girls lacrosse squad moving
ThisWeek group
Gabby Mahaffey called her role for the DeSales girls lacrosse team in her freshman and sophomore seasons as that of “a mover,” meaning she helped facilitate for her teammates and generally went wherever she was needed.
She still filled those responsibilities, even as she became the Stallions’ top offensive player during their pursuit of a second consecutive Division II state championship and third in five seasons.
The senior midfielder and Akron recruit had a team-leading 62 goals through 17 games as well as 45 draw controls, 21 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers, and top-seeded DeSales was 14-6 before playing third-seeded Watterson in the Region 7 final May 28.
Delaware Hayes Roundup: Pacers boys volleyball team dealing with transition season
ThisWeek group
The Delaware Hayes boys volleyball team is thinking long term over short term this spring as it works to get back up to speed after missing last season.
“It’s more of a year to prepare for next year,” second-year coach Jacob Hackathorn said. “We’re not throwing this year away by any means, but last year we graduated seven seniors, and this year we’re only going to graduate two. So next year is really where everyone’s mindset is; this year is really getting those skills down to compete starting next year.