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OTTOVILLE — With senior ace Jessie Miller nursing a sore arm, Ottoville’s softball coach Joe Modica threw freshman Sammi Modica — in  her  first  varsity  start — versus Jefferson Tuesday night at Ottoville Community Park.
The veteran Lady Jeffcats were all over that, scoring six runs in the first frame en route to a 12-1 5-inning victory over the Lady Green on a pleasant spring afternoon.
“We figured Jefferson would do that, with this being Sammi’s first start. Jess pitched a great game against Miller City Monday and her arm was sore,” Modica explained. “With all the havoc the weather has produced this spring, forcing us to play a lot of games in a short period of time, it’s too much for one girl to do. Plus, Jess is a senior, so we need to get some younger girls mound time.”
Jefferson (11-3) got going right away. Torrie Wilson was hit by a Modica pitch and got to third on a wild pitch and passed ball. Megan McElroy slashed a shot that third sacker Kelly Gerker knocked down and kept in the infield for a hit but kept Wilson from scoring. McElroy stole second and Kayla Miller walked to juice the bases. Monica Gerdeman (2-for-2, 3 runs, 3 RBIs) launched a single to left center, plating Wilson and McElroy. Lindsey Shivley forced Miller at third but Nicole Sargent (3-for-4, 6 ribbies, 2 runs) hit a 2-run double to left center for a 4-0 spread.
Shauna Bowers singled sharply to center and courtesy runner Jenna Miller swiped second. Brooke Apple blooped a single just off the glove of second baseman Adria Wannemacher to score Sargent and when the throw home was well wide, Miller made it 6-0.
“Our bats got rolling early. We put the ball in play and did it consistently,” Jefferson coach Brad Rostorfer said. “For about the last week, we’ve been hitting the ball like I know we can. That’s important as we head into the tournament. We want to maintain — and even get better — at the plate and see if we can make a long run.”
That largesse was easily more than enough for Jefferson ace Bowers (8-2; 5 frames, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 9 strikeouts; 71 pitches, 54 for strikes).
Still, the Lady ’Cats weren’t satisfied. Three more came across in the second. With one down, K. Miller got aboard via an error and pilfered second. Gerdeman walked. Shivley forced Miller at third. Sargent again delivered a 2-run 2-bagger to deep center; she scored on an error off the bat of Bowers for a 9-0 cushion.
Ottoville got two aboard with one out in the second on a single by Brittany Beining and an error benefitting Modica but McElroy made a nice running catch in short center  for  the  second  out and a groundout ended the threat.
“What Shauna does so well is throw with good velocity and movement. Last winter, we joked with her that her fast ball drops and her drop ball was fast; we wanted to see which one she could control,” Rostorfer added. “It turns out she can control both. Now she has added a screwball and continues to work on her changeup. She’s got the whole package.”
Three more touched home for the visitors in the third. With one gone, McElroy walked and went to second on a wild offering. K. Miller walked. Gerdeman grounded a hit into left center to score McElroy. Shivley walked to load the bases. Sargent blooped a single down the right-field line to send Miller and Gerdeman home for that 12-0 bulge.
Ottoville would get one home  in  the  third  as Courtney Schimmoeller tripled to deep left and touched the dish thanks to Amy Hohlbein’s groundout to short.
Jess Miller pitched two innings of 5-strikeout relief for the Lady Green (3-7).
“The biggest problem we’ve had the last two years is our offense. We don’t hit consistently,” coach Modica added. “Jess has pitched quite well for us this year; we just haven’t given her much support. We just haven’t gotten into any rhythm at the plate, especially because of the weather; we haven’t for two years.”
Jefferson gets back into the Northwest Conference wars Thursday at home versus Lima Central Catholic, while Ottoville welcomes in non-conference foe Van Wert the same afternoon. Both games start at 5 p.m.

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