Monday, May 14th, 2007
St. Marys wins outright WBL championship with 9-0 mark
By Gary R. Rasberry
Compiled by Gary Rasberry
With the Western Buckeye League title - the first since 1992 - already secured, St. Marys looked to make sure to keep it for themselves facing Defiance in the final league game of the season on Saturday morning at K.C. Geiger Park.
Kayla Thornsberry came through with a spectacular performance, getting her seventh league shutout as the Roughriders ran the table for a 4-0 win over the Bulldogs, who drop to 12-6 overall and 5-4 in WBL play.
Roughriders coach Sue Grothouse was happy that her team could get through the league unblemished.
"Our league is very tough," said Grothouse. "I can't say enough how much our kids have worked all season. I think they responded to the challenge."
Thornsberry, who likely cemented WBL Player of the Year honors, walked just two batters and struck out 12 in the four-hitter.
"I can't say enough how she's performed for us this year," said Grothouse. "...That says a lot for her. ... Heather Ruffner did a great job behind the plate.
"The key for this team has been Kayla and defense. The defense was 100 percent behind Kayla all season."
Thornsberry helped herself at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Battery-mate Ruffner went 2-for-3 and a double.
The Roughriders will look to add wins in the tournament starting again on Tuesday when they face WBL foe Shawnee in the Division II district semifinal at Bath. The Roughriders edged the Indians 4-3 in their league game in early May.
LINESCORE
Defiance 000 000 0 - 0 4 2
St. Marys 010 021 X - 4 6 0
WP - Thornsberry.
LP - Elders.
2B - SM: Thornberry, Ruffner.
Records: Defiance 12-6 (5-4 WBL), St. Marys 19-1 (9-0 WBL).
