Genevieve Longsdorf made the history books, pitching a 13 strikeout perfect game to lead No. 2 Cardington-Lincoln to a dominant 30-0 win over No. 22 Harvest Prep in the Division III Central 2 Sectional Finals on May 8.
Cardington-Lincoln had a bye in the opening round of the Division III Central 2 sectional playoffs, and the offense and pitching was on full display in the win.
The Pirates set the tone early, scoring 11 runs in the first inning to put the game far out of reach after the opening frame. Longsdorf struck out the side to open the game, and then had a lead off walk in the bottom half of the inning. Four straight walks put the Pirates up by two, and then after a Kayden Burchett single, Celia Hall drove in a run on a base knock. Ari Simpson scored on a passed ball, and then Burchett stole home to go up by five. Hall scored on a passed ball in the next at bat, which was followed by a run on a sacrifice bunt by Alexis Longsdorf. Powell doubled in three more runs, and then Burchett drove in Simpson to go up 11-0.
They followed with seven runs in both the second and third innings, and then a five run fourth inning to finish the dominant performance.
Cardington-Lincoln blasted 17 hits as a team, and had four homers in the game, with two by Simpson who also drove in seven runs. Simpson also three stolen bases in the win. Longsdorf went 2-for-2 with a homer, three RBIs and a run. Powell also homered, going 2-for-2 with five RBIs and two runs. Hall doubled and tripled, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs. Burchett tripled and doubled, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs.
"Offensively we hit really well, strung together 17 hits, didn’t have any strikeouts, and 17 walks," said Coach Baylee Adams, adding thet the team must continue to play solid defense, pitch well, and record timely hits.
"The team is playing with a sense of urgency and focusing on one game at a time," Adams said.
The Pirates will now face No. 11 Utica in the District Semifinals on May 13. Utica beat No. 13 Centerburg in the first round by a score of 3-1, and then became sectional champions with a 21-6 upset win over No. 9 Grandview Heights.
