WINTERSVILLE — Every baserunner is important.

The Harrison Central softball team collected just five hits against rival Indian Creek, however, the Huskies took advantage of four walks and four errors to score six runs.

Harrison Central trailed early on, but the Huskies responded with back-to-back three-run innings before holding on to defeat the Redskins, 6-5, in an Ohio Division II Eastern District Sectional Semifinal Wednesday evening at Indian Creek.

Trailing 2-0 going into the top of the fourth, Harrison Central – the No. 12 seed – tallied three runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to build a 6-2 lead. Indian Creek – the No. 8 seed – refused to go away as the Redskins countered with three runs of their own in the home half of the fifth to make it a one-run game. Down by a run, the hosts had two more chances to tie or retake the lead. The visitors were able to slam the door shut though, keeping Indian Creek off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

“We were able to get a couple of timely hits,” Harrison Central (17-10) head coach Darrin Young said. “We put the ball in play. We got runners on base. The girls gained confidence. We came up with some clutch hits and some bunts. Tonkovich hit that triple. We got some clutch hits and some timely bunts.”

The Redskins committed multiple mistakes in all phases of the game, and the girls from Jefferson County were not able to overcome them.

“We had errors, and we had baserunning miscues,” Indian Creek (16-7) head coach Angela Penner said. “Without the baserunning miscues, we could have been tied up, or we could have been ahead by one. They’re scrappy, and we’re scrappy. Their pitcher threw well. Trinity always pitches a nice game.

“I am proud of our season. We went 16-7. I would not trade these girls for the world. It hurts. We have to say goodbye to our seniors – Trinity, Kiersten and Ericka. They provided good leadership. They worked hard. We just made some miscues, and it cost us.”

With the win, Harrison Central will now play No. 3 seed Morgan at 5 p.m Friday on the road in a sectional co-final. Morgan shut out No. 13 seed Philio, 14-0, in the semifinals Wednesday at home.

“I did not expect to be here,” Young said. “We started the season 0-4 or 0-5. For us to come back and now win 17 games, it’s been a heck of a season, especially with us being a young team.”

Indian Creek had two runners thrown out at the plate, including one in the fifth, in the game, while the girls from Harrison County had one.

The Redskins recorded a run in the second and one in the third to take a 2-0 lead. The Huskies were held scoreless through the first three innings as the victors had just one batter reach base during that time.

Fortunately for Harrison Central, its bats came alive in the middle in the fourth and fifth.

Kara Blackburn led off the fourth by reaching on an error, and Aubrey Wood walked to put two runners on base. Then, Olivia Tonkovich tripled to plate both runners to tie the score at 2. Rylee Smith followed with a groundball back to Taylor. With Tonkovich between third and home, Taylor threw to first allowing Tonkovich to score the go-ahead runner making it 3-2. Smith ended up reaching on an error on the play, however, she would ultimately be stranded at third to keep it a one-run game.

The Redskins were unable to answer in the bottom of the inning allowing the Huskies to take the lead into the fifth.

In the fifth, Mikayla Pelegreen reached on an error with one out before Blackburn reached on a bloop hit to right, however, neither Indian Creek fielder in the vicinity picked up the ball allowing Pelegreen to score her team’s fourth run to make the score 4-2. Later in the inning, Wood, who had two hits on the day, and Emma Skinner each singled home a run to increase Harrison Central’s advantage to 6-2.

The Redskins responded in the home half of the inning.

McKenna Scott singled with one out, and Riley Sadler delivered a double off the fence in left to put two runners on base. Then, Kylie Dray doubled home two runs to cut Indian Creek’s deficit to 6-4. Trinity Taylor then drew a walk before she was replaced by a courtesy runner. Emma Vok followed with a run-scoring single, however, the Redskins had a runner thrown out at the plate keeping the score at 6-5. Ericka Gibbons was issued a free pass to keep things going however, a groundout to short end the threat and the inning.

“It’s always a fight whenever we play Indian Creek,” Young said. “It was a dogfight. Getting those runners out at the plate was big.”

With two outs in the sixth, Scott singled for the third to give the Redskins a baserunner, however, the standout shortstop was stranded at first.

“We knew they were not going to go away,” Young said. “The top five in their batting order are lights out. McKenna Scott is a hard out in everyone of her at-bats.

“Our pitcher pitched well. Emma did well, and then Mikayla came in. They are two different styles. It worked out.I told the girls they are a good team. Indian Creek is a good team. I have a lot of respect for Angie and her coaching staff.”

The girls in the gold jerseys were retired in order in the seventh to end the game.

“We just could not manufacture runs when we needed to,” Penner said.

Indian Creek had a golden opportunity to strike first in the first. Scott reached on an error to get the inning started, and she stole second base to move into scoring position. She was on third with one out, however, she was tagged out at the plate following a groundball to Pelegreen at third, who fired a strike to Bailey Smith behind the plate to record the second out. A flyout to center ended the inning.

“We could have had a run in the first inning,” Penner said. “That was a mistake. We could have went up 1-0, but it happened. That is the name of the game. Teams are going to make mistakes. It is just a matter of who is able to rebound from those mistakes.

“I wish Harrison Central the best of the luck in the rest of the postseason. Darrin does a good job with them. It is nice to see a team from our area go to the next round of the sectionals.”

Skinner picked up the win inside the circle for the Huskies. She struck out one without walking a batter in her 4 1/3 innings of work. She was replaced with one out in the fifth by Pelegreen, who pitched the final 2 2/3 innings. Pelegreen struck out four and walked two during her time in the circle.

Taylor took the win for the Redskins. She struck out 10 and walked four.