Photo by Jeff Campbell Shadyside’s Ariana Saxton delivers a pitch Tuesday during the Tigers’ OHSAA D-VI sectional victory over Hiland, 14-3. Saxton allowed just one hit in four innings n the mound, and finished 3-3 at the plate, all extra-base hits.

SHADYSIDE — Sixth-seeded Shadyside launched post-season play in stellar fashion Tuesday afternoon as the Lady Tigers blasted Berlin Hiland by a 14-3 count in five innings in an OHSAA D-VI sectional opener.

Shadyside now advances to take on third-seeded Ridgewood May 20 at West Lafayette. The win was the 13th in 25 starts for Coach Bob Gorrell’s squad.

The Lady Tigers rode the powerful right arm of Ariana Saxton to ground the Hawks. The talented senior struck out five, walked two and allowed just one hit in four sharp innings of work.

Junior Isabella DeFelice worked the final frame and acquitted herself quite nicely by fanning one and yielding one hit.

Saxton was also a major force at the plate. She paced the Lady Tigers’ 12-hit attack, going 3-for-3 which included a triple, two doubles and three RBI.

The 12th-seeded Lady Hawks bowed out with a 3-19 mark.

“I am really happy with how we played today,” Gorrell said. “The girls came out aggressive and wanted to take control early. They did just that.

“Ariana pitched very well. She was in command,” he added. “I was happy with how we hit the ball. We had a lot of players contribute. It was a nice way to start the playoffs.”

Shadyside scored in each of its four at-bats.

The Lady Tigers opened with a three-spot in the first inning. Saxton delivered the big blow with an RBI triple. She came home on a RBI groundout from Ali Weatherson.

Shadyside broke things open with five more tallies in the second frame. Saxton doubled in two runs, as did Kaylie Warnock. Kamryn Parker produced a run-scoring single.

Hiland got on the scoreboard with two runs in the third inning. After a walk and hit-batter, Makayla Beachy, the Lady Hawks’ starting pitcher, singled in a pair teammates.

Shadyside added a run in the third before pushing the game into mercy-rule mode with five tallies in the fourth frame. Parker and Brianna Harris fueled the outburst by delivering two-run singles, making it a 14-2 lighting.

Hiland added a single run in the fifth on the strength of a walk, error and a double from Eloise Bickel.

“I felt good in the circle today,” Saxton said. “I have to credit my teammates. They played really good defense behind me. The most important thing is we won and get to move on.”

Beachy took the pitching loss. She struck out three and walked a like amount. She gave way to Jalyn Immel in the fourth. Immel struck out two Lady Tigers.

Parker and Kara Zeroski each recorded two hits to support Saxton’s three-hit barrage. All told, eight Lady Tigers reached the hit column.

Shadyside stranded four runners and committed just one error.

“I have not seen Ridgewood play,” Gorrell said. “But I have talked to some coaches who have played them. They are a quality team.

“But I like the way we are playing. We just need to do what we did today,” he added. “We will be ready to play. I have no doubt about that.”