Dalton Senior Softball Night

 

PHOTO BY LISA McGINTY | LMc Photography

Dalton’s senior softball players: Abbi Snyder, Angelique Kosier, Tess Denning, Anna Maglott and Elle Mooney.

By ARIEL STAHLER
Gazette & News sports writer

The start of the week was rough for Dalton High School’s varsity softball team as they lost two games to Norwayne. Things started to turn in favor for the Lady Dawgs when they walked off against Black River on Senior Night. They kept the momentum going when they ended the week with a win over Orrville.

The Lady Dawgs were shut out 5-0 when they visited Norwayne April 20. The Bobcats scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. They then added two more runs in the third and one in the fifth. Dalton’s lone hit of the game came in the fifth inning when Lexi Vazquez singled to left field. Cadence Casto was the losing pitcher. She gave up five earned runs on five hits, issued five walks and fanned five hitters.

Dalton hosted Norwayne April 22, and the end result was the same as the first match-up between the two teams. The Bobcats won 7-1. The Bobcats won 7-1. Norwayne had built a 5-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning. Dalton scored in the bottom of the fifth when Elle Mooney singled in Angelique Kosier. Norwayne put two more runs on the board in the top of the seventh inning. The loss went to Casto. She gave up seven runs on six hits during her complete game and recorded eight walks and two strikeouts.

When Dalton hosted Black River on Friday, things kept getting better as the night went on when they walked off for a 7-6 win. Tess Denning, Elle Mooney, Anna Maglott, Angelique Kosier and Abbi Snyder were honored during Senior Night. Parent Brenda Snyder said she would like to thank sponsors Buehler’s and 3-D Meats and individual contributors, as well as the JV softball team and parents for organizing and serving food. She also had special thanks for Superintendent Jim Saxer who served as a DJ, Sean Geiser who presented the flag while Maglott sang the National Anthem. Craig Miller announced for the game. Dave Reynolds provided extra bleachers. Snyder said community support made for an amazing Senior Night.

Setting aside the emotions of Senior Night, the Lady Dawgs set to work against Black River. Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Dalton trailed the Pirates 6-4. Amber Jager smacked a two-run single to even the score at 6-all. Kosier followed up with an RBI single to walk off with the win. Denning and Snyder both had three hits for Dalton. Ava Fivecoat earned her first varsity win with a complete game.

“Senior Night was amazing,” said Dalton’s head coach Pam Spencer. “The atmosphere was incredible and will not be forgotten. We want to ensure our Senior Night from this year
forward is a senior event to make them feel special.”

Dalton kept things rolling when they traveled to Orrville Apil 24 and secured the 8-6 win. They came out of the gates with a six-run first inning that saw Vazquez and Piper Cannon each hit a two-RBI single. Denning drove in a run in the second inning to add to the lead. The Red Riders scored four runs in the fifth inning to dig into the lead. Joey Reynolds gave the Lady Dawgs another run with a single in the sixth inning. Orrville scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Dalton held on for the win.
Casto received the win. She gave up six earned runs on 13 hits, walked three batters and recorded seven strikeouts.

Follow Ariel on Twitter @AStahlerDGKNews