CARDINGTON – There is only one goal for Tod Brininger and the Cardington softball team: Win a state championship.
After finishing as a state runner-up in 2019, the Pirates seem well on their way with a 9-0 start and a 6-0 mark in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.
Cardington hasn’t lost a league game since April 24, 2018 — a streak of 27 wins.
“It’s the kids,” the Cardington coach said. “They’ve seen and witnessed what has happened before. Every year, we’ve built and those kids have all experienced it the year before. It’s all just a momentum-builder. We don’t have a ton of kids playing. But they play in summer, they work out. They do everything they need to do. They know what’s at stake here.”
Danville, which handed them their only other league loss, was primed to make it two after Taryn Mickley hit a two-run homer to give the Blue Devils a 4-2 lead on Wednesday, April 13, in Cardington.
But the Pirates rallied late and won 5-4, then followed up with a 12-2 win in five innings at Danville on Thursday, April 14.
Wednesday’s rally was sudden. Chelsey Miller lined a shot into right field that skipped by the fielder. She drove in the tying run — Mikayla Linkous, who had led off the inning with a single.
“I think (Miller) hit it so hard it was diving,” Brininger said. “Obviously, I think it was a hit. It would have taken a heck of a play (for) that right fielder. But (Miller) makes huge plays in big spots. That’s who she is. She’s started for us for four years (and) she should be making huge plays. I expect that out of her.”
Emalee Artz drove home pinch-runner Lily Clark with a squeeze bunt, and just like that Cardington led 5-4.
Thursday’s rally was instant — as in the Pirates put a six-spot on the board in the first inning.
Genevieve Longsdorf hit a two-run double to start the scoring and finished with three RBIs for the game. She also got the win in both games, going the distance each time.
“She’s a big-game pitcher as a freshman,” Brininger said. “We talked to her before the year and said, ‘This is your ball. We ride on you.’ She’s stepped up to that.”
Danville has similar aspirations. They reached the regional final in Division IV in 2019. But the difference is their youth; the Blue Devils have played as many as six freshmen in a game.
“We’re young,” Danville coach Charlie Duncan said. “We make a few freshman mistakes at times. But I’m proud of my girls right now.”
Keaura Schilling is the only player back from 2019. But Maddy Wine, who’s headed to MVNU after she graduates this spring, has been a force in the circle. Cami Newbold is also a leader at third base.
“Those three have really brought the freshmen up,” Duncan said. “They expect to play Danville softball every time they step on the field — no matter what their age is.”
