Danville came into the third week of the North Central Ohio Summer League with a 1-2-1 record and took its swings against Northwestern (West Salem) on July 5. The Lady Blue Devils lost a tough 4-3 decision in the opener and won the nightcap of the twin bill 7-2.
In Game 1, Danville got on the board first with a run in its initial at-bat. Jaylyn Smith grounded a single to right with one out and stole second. With two outs, Alicia Humphrey doubled in Smith and it was 1-0, Blue Devils.
The Huskies put four runs in the book in the third on three hits and two walks, all with two outs, and never looked back.
Danville got one back in the bottom of the third on a two-out home run by Addison Mickley to make it 4-2. In its last at-bat in the fifth, Danville rallied on singles by Ruby Bartok and Abi Sapp, and a one-out double by Taylor Price. The Blue Devils loaded the bases with two outs, but a fly out to center ended the game.
Danville finished with nine hits from eight batters – Bartok had two hits.
In Game 2, Danville put up five in the first and coasted to a 7-2 win. The Blue Devils connected for only four hits, but worked seven walks.
With one out in the first, Kayley Sheldon singled, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error. Two walks and a hit batter made it 2-0 with the bases loaded. After a wild pitch made it 3-0, Avery Mezie singled in the fourth run, and a two-out error plated another.
Ahead 5-2 in the fourth, Danville added a pair on a one-out single by Maddy Payne, who stole second and scored on a single to center by Ella Payne, who later scored on a wild pitch.
Kenzie Staats and Taylor Meade combined in the circle to strike out 10 and allowed only three hits to lift Danville's record to 2-3-1.
Danville faced off against Northwestern again this week, with details unavailable at press time.
The North Central Ohio Summer League is an eight-team competition that includes Centerburg, Danville, Loudonville, Ashland Crestview, Johnstown, Northwestern, Norwayne and Mapleton.
