Tyler-Wetzel trio lead W.Va. in OVAC win
Three girls from three different schools in Tyler and Wetzel County came together Wednesday and led their team to a strong 6-3 win in the OVAC All-Star softball game.
Tyler Consolidated’s Kaitlyn Goudy, Paden City’s Vicki Yurisko, and Magnolia’s Corrine Murdock ended up being major components of the West Virginia offense as timely hitting led to over half of the team’s runs.
The trio of unlikely teammates came together in the sixth inning of the traditional nine-inning game to provide four runs and ended up being the deciding factor for the Mountaineers.
Yurisko actually tuned up the offense earlier in the game, adding to West Virginia’s first lead of the game.
In the opening frame, John Marshall’s Shelby Wilson scored the first run when fellow Monarch Dee Gamble doubled into left-center following a two-out sacrifice bunt by Parkersburg South’s Katelyn Porter.
Yurisko took advantage with a single allowing Wilson to score and gave the Mountaineers a 2-0 lead.
Eventually Ohio would tie the game with runs in the third and sixth inning, but West Virginia would warm up the bats again in the bottom of the sixth.
The rally began with Goudy, selected for her pitching abilities, showed that she could get the job done from the plate as well when a well-placed bunt allowed her first base.
The bunt went between the pitcher and first baseman, and with the second baseman covering first, the ball nearly found it’s way to the outfield.
A fielder’s choice moved her to second before an error gave Gamble first base. Yurisko took a base on balls which set up Murdock.
She proceeded to blast a shot into right-center allowing Goudy, Gamble, and Yurisko to score for a 5-2 lead on the three RBI double. Cameron’s Janet Peterson singled Murdock home for the sixth and final West Virginia run.
The Mountaineers gave up another run in the seventh, but it wouldn’t be enough as they won the 2009 edition of the annual game 6-3.
Overall, West Virginia was outhit by the Buckeyes 11-7, but all of Ohio’s hits were singles. The Mountaineers had three extra-base hits. Ohio also stranded 10 runners including eight in scoring position.
Goudy was part of the quintet of West Virginia pitchers that struckout 11 Buckeyes. Yurisko resumed her normal catching duties while Murdock split time between right field and first base.