SHADYSIDE – Crooksville High made the lengthy trip from Perry County a successful one as the seventh-seeded Lady Ceramics downed third-seeded Shadyside, 10-0, in six innings Wednesday in an OHSAA D-VI sectional contest.

The victory propels Crooksville into a May 19th matchup against the winner of today’s Monroe Central-Bellaire clash.

The Lady Ceramics improved to 11-14, competing in the rugged Muskingum Valley League. Shadyside finished the campaign with a 9-15 mark.

“We felt our schedule prepared us well for the post-season,” Crooksville head coach Brandon Delong said. “The MVL has several very good softball teams. Plus, we also played some D-II schools.”

Elyse Baker was nothing short of sensational in the circle for the winners. She allowed just one hit, an infield grounder. The talented sophomore struck out nine and did not issue a walk.

Baker helped her cause with a three-run homer in the sixth inning. Dalena Rollison also came up big at the plate for Crooksville with a home run and double.

“Elyse was super,” Delong said. “She was honorable mention all-state as a freshman and has had another strong season this year. She was in total control today.

“Dalena has hit the ball all season long. She had a real big night tonight,” he added. “It was a long trip to get here. We left at 1 o’clock. It will be a fun ride home.

The game was scoreless until Crooksville broke loose for four runs in the fourth. The Lady Ceramics added one run in the fifth before unloading five more tallies in the sixth to truncate the contest.

“We didn’t bring our bats today,” Shadyside head coach Bob Gorrell said. “Crooksville hit it well and we did not. We also made a couple of errors that cost us.

“It was scoreless in the fourth and we gave up a two-run homer. After that, it all went downhill,” he added. “Give their pitcher credit. She did a great job today.”

Ali Weatherson started in the circle for Shadyside. She was perfect over the first three innings. However, she ran into some trouble in the fourth and gave way to freshman Cam Kolvek in that frame. Weatherson struck out five and walked three while Kolvek fanned three and walked a like amount.

Kamryn Parker garnered the Lady Tigers’ lone hit.

“The season didn’t go as well as we had hoped. It was somewhat disappointing,” Gorrell said. “We had higher expectations. We had some injuries that really hurt us and we had to move kids around.

“We lose five seniors. I wish them nothing but the best,” he added. “But we have a nice nucleus of players coming back and some quality incoming freshmen. So, we are excited about the future.”