ELIDA – The Tinora Lady Rams knew they had a tall task ahead of them as they made the bus trip down to Elida to take on the Cardington-Lincoln Pirates.
What coach Fairchild and the Lady Rams didn’t expect as they took on the #2 team in DIV III was an astonishing performance from the Pirates.
Making their six-straight trip to the Districts was the Cardington Pirates softball team.
Last seasons edition of the Pirates was 26-3, 14-0 in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference. A loss to the eventual 2021 State Champs Fairview Lady Apaches in the 2021 Regional Finals ended the Lady Pirates season a year ago.
A duel between two great sophomore starting pitchers never materialized. The Pirates were led by sophomore righty pitcher Genevieve Longsdorf and her 18-3 record, 125 IP, 65 H 184 K with a 1.18 ERA.
The Lady Rams sent their sophomore sensation, Scylea Zolman to the circle. Zolman entered with an 18-1 record, striking out 222 in 120.3 innings. Zolman entered with a 1.22 ERA.
The Lady Pirates for three batters reached safely, all three scored in the top of the first inning, and it was all down hill for the Tinora Lady Rams after that. The Pirates led 3-0 after their first at bat.
Cardington then scored 11 runs in the second, the Lady Pirates lead 14-0 after just two innings.
In the third, the Lady Pirates added six more runs, taking a 20-0 lead after two and a half innings.
In one of very few bright spots for the Lady Rams came in the bottom of the third, sophomore Tegan Norden sent a Longsdorf pitch deep over the left center fence for a two run homerun, the Lady Pirates led the Lady Rams after three, 20-2.
The fourth saw the Lady Pirates get nine more runs in the top of the inning.
Tinora’s second bright spot saw Devona Holmes hit a two-run homerun, after the final out was recorded, it was 29-4, Cardington came away with the win.
What a great, magical season for the Lady Rams softball program, they were just 1 of 16 DIV III teams remaining as the day began.
Thank you to the Lady Rams lone senior Quinn Horn. Quin is everything and more a student athlete is supposed to represent. Each teammate looked up to Quinn, she is the true meaning of a senior leader. Best wishes Quinn!
The Lady Rams see a fantastic season come to an end, Tinora ends at 19-4. The Lady Rams were the 2022 GMC Champions, 7-0.
Cardington moves to 23 and 4 and will take on Van Buren on Friday at 5pm for a trip to State.
Postseason article to follow this weekend.
From the Lady Rams softball page below:
https://www.facebook.com/tinoraramssoftball/
Tonight, the Rams bow out of tournament play in regional semi-finals falling to 2nd in the state, Cardington-Lincoln. Rams will finish the season 19-4 (7-0) 🐏🥎🖤
Devona Holmes 💣 and Tegan Norden 💣 go deep one last time this season in tonight’s contest!
These girls accomplished so much this season! Us coaches have loved getting to watch you grow as individuals and as a family from November to now. This truly is such a special group, and we couldn’t be more proud! 💚
A few of the notable things these girls accomplished:
✨ Tied for most wins in a season in Tinora history (19)
✨ Undisputed GMC Champs (7-0)
✨ District Champions
✨ Hit 30 home runs as a team
✨ Ranked 15th in state for most home runs in a season as a team
To Quinn,
Thank you for the legacy you’re leaving with this program and these girls. You’be shown us dedication, hard work, competitive excellence and more. You have so many big things ahead of you!!! We can’t wait to continue supporting you through this next journey in your life…. We might have to buy some red apparel ♥️ (Go Muskies)
For the last time this season…
Go Rams
