After avenging last year’s district final loss to Franklin, they are four wins away from achieving their ultimate goal. Ross (22-6) takes on Greenville (27-3) in the Division II regional semifinals at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Mason.
“We always have high expectations for our girls, and they have high expectations for themselves,” Ross coach Paul Fernandez said. “When you are one of the last 16 teams playing, you are getting close to that final goal you set, and it’s exciting.”
Consistent defense and hitting have carried the Rams throughout the season, and the pitching has come a long way too. Ross has outscored its four postseason opponents 49-6, including three shutouts to win the sectional title.
Freshman Kenzie Meyer (13-4, 2.54 ERA) now has a full season under her belt and is pitching with confidence she lacked at times earlier in the year, according to Fernandez. The same goes for senior Abby Engel (7-2, 2.10 ERA), who is pitching at the varsity level for the first time.
“When you are as young and inexperienced as we are, you go through some bumpy roads where they’re not throwing as well one day as the next, but you hope by tournament time they are just being more consistent and in control with hitting spots and just going out and being a pitcher,” Fernandez said. “So far, that’s what we’ve seen.”
Greenville is batting .396 as a team, led by Karsyn Shaffer’s .556 average, while two others are batting over .400.
Offensively, the Rams are led by Ally Ivey, who is batting .632 with 20 extra-base hits and 42 RBIs, and Hayley Hudson, who is hitting .541 with 60 stolen bases. Kelsey Warman (.489, 11 doubles, 41 RBIs) and Ashley Parrett (.437, 39 RBIs) are the two other batters above .400.
“They’ve got Lombardi coaching in Paul, and they are just a storied program – one of the best in Ohio,” Greenville coach Jerrod Newland said. “We played a tough schedule to prepare for games like this, and it just happens Ross is the next one on the schedule. We’ll tee it up (Thursday), and the best team will move on.”
Ross’ bats will need to stay hot to get past Greenville. Senior pitcher Ally Russell (27-3, 0.75 ERA) has dominated opponents while earning first team all-state honors the past three years. The Wright State University signee led the Green Wave to a regional final in 2013.
Greenville has been to the regional tournament eight of the past 10 years, though the team fell short in the district semifinals last year.
“They are fundamentally sound, they have good pitching and good hitters,” Fernandez said. “It should make for a very good regional semifinal. … We just have to go out with confidence … and keep doing what has gotten us here. I told the girls, ‘Don’t be satisfied with the last win. There’s another step to take. We have to keep going until we are one of the final two, not just one of the final 16.’ ”
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