Mathias, Rensberger combine on 2-hitter, lead Lady Zs past Caston in regular season finale

Logan has both Lady Comet hits

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Emma Mathias Gabby Medina

FULTON — Aubrey Wilson and Gabby Medina had RBI singles as part of a four-run fifth inning, and Emma Mathias and Bria Rensberger combined on a two-hit shutout as the Rochester softball team handled host Caston 5-0 Thursday in the regular season finale for both teams.

Medina went 3 for 4, and Wilson went 2 for 3 for the Class 2A, No. 7 Lady Zs, who improved to 20-3. Their next game is a Class 2A, Sectional 38 semifinal at home against either Wabash or Eastern (Greentown) at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Caston closed out the regular season 11-9. They will face North Newton at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at North White in a Class 1A, Sectional 50 quarterfinal.

Kylee Logan had both Caston hits, a triple in the first and a double in the seventh.

Caston coach Jon Burks alternated the team’s top two pitchers: Natalie Warner started and pitched the first, Hadlie Coffing pitched the second and third, Warner pitched the fourth and fifth, Coffing pitched the sixth, and both pitchers saw time in the circle in the seventh.

Mathias allowed just two baserunners in four innings. After Logan tripled to deep right with two outs in the first, Mathias struck out Warner.

Caston got the leadoff hitter on twice. Coffing walked to lead off the third, but Rochester catcher Ali Field threw her out trying to steal.

“She has definitely come a long way,” Rochester coach Jim Coleman said. “We saw a little bit of a glimpse (against) CGA (a 17-0 win Saturday) and then at Valley (a 5-3 loss Saturday), and she’s definitely earned a lot more time in that circle. Her velocity has improved a great deal, and just her grit in the circle … she’s gotten tough mentally.”

In the fifth, Audrey Ault reached on an error to lead off the inning, but Rensberger struck out the next three batters.

After Logan’s double in the sixth, Warner moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt. Rensberger then fanned Ault and Lexie Field to end the game.

Mathias and Rensberger had six strikeouts each.

Rochester junior Brailyn Hunter did not play due to ankle and knee injuries. Hunter was involved in a collision at home plate with Lewis Cass catcher Ava Hubner in Wednesday’s 3-1 win.

Rochester coach Jim Coleman said the initial plan was to bring in Hunter to pitch in relief of Mathias. Instead, he brought in Rensberger.

“We’re just going to give you the night off,” Coleman said what he told Hunter. “Obviously, our focus is sectionals. I sat her out more as a precaution. She could have played if we really had to, but she’s just a good kid and one that we hope we can get back healthy.”

Kyleigh Little started the top of the fifth with a bloop single, and she stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Aubrey Miller walked, and when ball four was dropped for a passed ball, Little came in to score, and Miller went all the way to second.

Miller went to third on a wild pitch. Adalyn Gonzalez walked after falling behind in the count 0-2. Gonzalez then stole second.

Wilson then sent a swinging bunt down the third baseline. The throw was late for an RBI single, and when the ball was dropped at first base, Gonzalez also scored on the play and Wilson reached second.

The lead was 3-0. Three batters later, Medina drove her in with a single.

In the seventh, Medina doubled with one out. Heinzmann struck out with strike three being dropped by the catcher. Medina went to third on the passed ball as the strikeout was completed at first base on Heinzmann. On the play, the Caston third baseman was called for obstruction on Medina, and Medina was awarded home plate to make it 5-0.

“Gabby’s big thing this season has been her front hip has been slow to open up on that inside pitch,” Coleman said. “You can see the last few games, she’s finally been able to figure that out. She’s ripping her hands through very well, and honestly, she’s been our best hitter the last two or three games.”

Burks declined comment.

Rochester 5, Caston 0

Rochester 000 040 1 – 5 7 1

Caston 000 000 0 – 0 2 1

WP – Emma Mathias (4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K)

LP – Natalie Warner (4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K)

2B – Gabby Medina (RHS), Kylee Logan (CAS)

3B – Kylee Logan (CAS)