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Eastern got off to a quick start plating an unearned run in the first inning but Clay battled back with a 2 run shot over the center field fence in the bottom of the inning by Clay's lone senior, Tori Osborne. Eastern and Clay traded runs over the next few innings with Marissa Messer scoring the decisive run on a sacrifice fly by Osborne, her third RBI on the day.

Clay really stepped up their defense in the latter innings with two great plays by freshman Josie Hughes in left field, another by sophomore Emily Spriggs in right field, and two more fantastic plays in the top half of the seventh by freshman shortstop Marissa Messer to close it out. Lindsay Mader pitched a whale of a ballgame holding Eastern's hot bats to only two runs. It was definitely one of the best and hardest played games of the tournament.

Clay (22-7) moves on to a rubber match with Symmes Valley Saturday at Pickerington in the regional semifinal. Clay and Symmes Valley split their two games during the regular season with each taking close wins at home. Should be a great game.

Winners will take on either Strasburg-Franklin or Danville in the regional final.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLAY LADY PANTHERS ON THEIR FOUR-PEAT DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!!

Great Job Lady Panthers!!!!
Both teams brought their A game, awesome softball.
Good Luck in Regionals.

great game lady eagles. Nothing to be ashamed of. A 22 and 5 record is not a bad season by far. Alot of young players back next year. Looking forward watching another great season.

Congrats Clay.....way to go Marissa Messer....your Grandy (my nephew) is lookin down from Heaven and rootin you on!!!

Nine20four, Thanks but I believe that Clay has been district champs the last 4 years!!!!!

Should be a good game Thursday with Symmes Valley.

MrClean wrote:Nine20four, Thanks but I believe that Clay has been district champs the last 4 years!!!!!

Good point!



33 Years of Softball Excellence at Clay High School

31 Sectional Titles
23 District Titles
5 Regional Titles and State Tournament Appearances
3 State Championships

Very disappointed in the article in the Times this morning. There was no indication at all that this was a total TEAM win. Some very good defensive plays were made that should have been given some credit and EVERYONE contributed to this win. These girls have come so far from where they were at the beginning of the season. Give the TEAM some credit.

Now go get 'em Thursday Panthers!!!

MrClean wrote:Very disappointed in the article in the Times this morning. There was no indication at all that this was a total TEAM win. Some very good defensive plays were made that should have been given some credit and EVERYONE contributed to this win. These girls have come so far from where they were at the beginning of the season. Give the TEAM some credit.

Now go get 'em Thursday Panthers!!!

It's just a sign of the times in Portsmouth. We're lucky to even have a daily newspaper any more. They've got maybe three reporters trying to cover all the teams in the area. The guy that was at the game yesterday from the Times had dead batteries in his camera and had to leave the game before it barely got underway due to his "deadline". The problem lies with their sports editor who doesn't do a good job at all giving space to local teams, boys or girls. They've historically always showed favoritism toward certain teams as well.

Another problem is coaches not making the effort to call in reports on games. And it's not just the Times. Local radio stations are PATHETIC when it comes to airing high school sports not called boys basketball and football. NONE of the local radio stations have a website where you can go get local sports information on the web like WKKJ. Most leagues in the area surrounding Scioto County actually have their own web sites. Not the SOC. It's nothing more than laziness and lack of interest.

But thanks for pointing this out.

Just look at the headlines about the district tournament for tennis, " All local players sent home at district tennis". It made me wince when I read it. The Times never focuses on the positive. There has to be a better way to relay the facts about the district tennis tournament. They can still report the losses but with a little more compassion. One would think they would try and display pride in our area athletes. They have been up to this ridiculous reporting for years. The only good thing I can say about the times is the addition of Ali Keaton as a sports reporter. Waiting for Thursday to get a copy of the Scioto Voice. Thank goodness for them!




Great Job Clay!!! Everyone did an awesome job! Lindsay did an amazing job on the mound! Catcher, Allison Castle rocked behind the plate! Defense held tough! Congrats to Senior Tori Osbourne on her HOMERUN! An all around great job by the girls! Keep working hard!