RICHMOND – One swing of the bat changed the outcome of the game.

Trailing Edison 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Martins Ferry standout shortstop Giana Chirpas launched a two-run home run over the fence in left field lifting the Purple Riders to a 2-1 victory against the Wildcats Friday evening out at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.

“That was not a real good coaching decision on my part,” Edison (16-10) head coach McKenzie Morrison said. “I should have intentionally walked her. Giana is a great player. I had the honor of coaching her last year in an underclassmen tournament. She is a great person. She has had an amazing season. It was a great job by her.”

Down by a run, Martins Ferry’s Makayla Cole singled to start the fifth before Chirpas connected on the game-winning home run on the first pitch of her at-bat.

Finding themselves down by a run, Edison had a baserunner in the sixth and another in the seventh, however, the hosts were unable to push a run across to extend the game.

“The girls held it down on defense the whole game,” Morrison said. “We just couldn’t get our hitting going.”

Maddie Lucas picked up the win inside the circle for Martins Ferry (22-3). Lucas struck out eight while walking one.

Bristol Leanza was saddled with the loss for the girls from Jefferson County. The senior struck out eight while walking five.

“Bristol pitched a great game,” Morrison said. “She did everything we asked her to do. Unfortunately, we were not able to score more runs today.”

The girls from Belmont County outhit the hosts, 7-3.

Chirpas led the charge offensively for the Purple-and-White as she tallied two singles to go along with her two-run home run. Also, Gracie Lucas, Keigan Brandon and Alivia Reese all collected a single.

Abby Boka contributed a single, double and an RBI for the Silver-and-Black, while Sophia Henderson delivered a double.

The game was scoreless going into the home half of the third when the Wildcats struck for the first run of the game. With two outs, Henderson doubled to left, and the senior shortstop scored on a single to left by Boka to give Edison a 1-0 lead. Boka took second on the throw, however, she was stranded there following a strikeout.

Boka doubled to left with one out in the sixth to put the tying run in scoring position. She moved to third on a groundout, but she was stranded there thanks to strikeout keeping the visitors out in front by a run.

Down to is final chance in the seventh, Brea Shrieve walked with two outs, however, Leanza, who came in to run for Shrieve, was stranded there on a game-ending strikeout.

Edison is scheduled to play Claymont in an Ohio Division V Eastern District Quarterfinal at 5 p.m. Monday at home. The Wildcats are the No. 4 seed in the tournament while the Mustangs are the No. 7 seed.

“We are going to practice tomorrow to get ready for Claymont on Monday,” Morrison said. “We are going to do what we have done all year. We are going to be working on our hitting.”

The Purple Riders are the No. 2 in the tournament, and Martins Ferry is slated to play the winner of Monday’s quarterfinal between No. 5 seed West Muskingum and No. 11 seed Fairless in the semifinals at 5 p.m. May 18 at home.