CADIZ — Talk about perfect timing.
Meadowbrook senior Taylor Sichina had struggled to get down a successful bunt this season, but on Wednesday in the Division III softball district championship against No. 3 seed Sandy Valley, she changed that at the most opportune time.
With the game deadlocked at one in the bottom of the seventh and sophomore teammate Sommer Ginn standing on third after leading off with a double, the Meadowbrook veteran looked to deliver the winning run.
And that's just what she did, as Sichina executed a perfect push bunt up the first base line, scoring Ginn with the game winner and giving the No. 2-seeded Colts a thrilling 2-1 walk-off victory and a return trip to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III regional tournament.
"Obviously, there was a lot of pressure on me in that situation, and I had struggled the whole game, going 0-for-3," Sichina said. "Then after Sommer led off with the double, coach (Sean) Frizzell came up and told me he was going to have me push bunt down the first base line."
For Sichina, getting down a successful bunt had been a season-long struggle. With that in the back of her mind, it increased her anxiety level in her task.
"Coach Frizzell moved me to the three spot in the lineup this season, wanting me to be a bunter," Sichina said. "But I have really struggled and not been able to get any down all year. But this was the perfect time to finally get it done.
"So to be able to go up there and do what was expected of me to win this game for us, that just means the world to me. I'm just happy as a team we were able to pull out this win and get back to the regionals. It's something we really wanted to get done."
Ginn gets big hit to set table for game winner
Ginn, who hits leadoff for Meadowbrook, has had a big season at the plate, currently leading the Colts with a robust .647 batting average.
But none of those hits were bigger then the one she delivered leading off the bottom of the seventh with a rocket over Sandy Valley centerfielder Bre Faiello's head for a double to jumpstart the frame.
"Going in to that at-bat, all my teammates were hyping me up and really making me feel confident," Ginn said. "And then coach tells me, I just need a double right here. That got me really excited and I knew I could get something going to get us started.
"And for me, confidence is the key thing. If I step in the batter's box with a negative mindset, nothing good is going to happen. So I just cleared my head, and leaned on my teammates' support and my coaches' confidence in me. I'm so excited to be going back to regionals, and we're not done yet."
Meadowbrook (21-9) finished with six hits in the game, paced by sophomore Jordyn Vargeson with a pair of singles, while sophomore Addy Sichina and junior Alexx Combs each singled.
Meadowbrook gets more strong pitching from sophomore 1-2 punch
"Taylor came up with that big push bunt there when we needed it," Frizell said. "I think that might be her first successful push bunt all season. But she's a senior and came through when her team really needed her. And then Sommer really got us going with that big lead off double."
All season, Meadowbrook has been able to lean on a solid 1-2 pitching punch of sophomores Addy Sichina and Mckendell Boyer.
And that talented duo delivered once again to help the Colts punch a return trip to the OHSAA softball Sweet 16 at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ohio University's softball field in Athens, where they will meet two-time defending state champion Wheelersburg.
Sichina drew the starting assignment, and worked four innings allowing just one unearned run on three hits with one strikeout and two walks. Boyer then came out and threw three scoreless innings to collect the pitching win, surrendering two hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
"All season, our 1-2 combo of Addy and Mckendell has came through for us," Frizzell said. "Addy started out and threw four strong innings, they got one run on an error. Then Mckendell came in and shut them down, allowing us to pull it out with Taylor's big bunt.
"Now we are heading to OU to see what we can do in the regionals. I told you last year we would be back to the regionals, and now we've done it and I'm just so proud of these girls. They have worked hard, and we still have some more work to do."
Meadowbrook will now get another shot at the Division III two-time state champion Wheelersburg team who ended the Colts postseason run last year in the regional semifinals. Game time will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in Athens at the Ohio University softball field.
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
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