HR HITTER: Dalton’s Alexis Vazquez breaks school record with 17th home run; Lady Dawgs advance to district tourney
PHOTO PROVIDED
Dalton’s Alexis Vazquez broke the Dalton High School career home run record after hitting her 17th homerun at last week’s sectional final against Rittman. Vazquez previously tied with Dalton graduate Tess Denning’s record of 16.
PHOTOS BY LISA McGINTY | LMc Photography
Alexis Vazquez and softball coach Zach McFarren.
Dalton’s Matea Martinez takes a swing at the plate against Norwayne on May 8. The Lady Dawgs won 7-3.
By ARIEL STAHLER
Gazette & News sports writer
Dalton High School’s varsity softball team advanced to the district tournament after topping league opponent Rittman in the Division IV Northeast 3 sectional final.
Before the start of tournament action, the Lady Dawgs had to complete a series with Norwayne to wrap up the regular season. Dalton traveled to Norwayne May 8, where the Bobcats took the 7-3 victory. Norwayne scored first with one run in the bottom of the first inning and they added a second run in the fourth. Dalton cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth when Joey Reynolds brought home Lauren Falb on an RBI-double. The Bobcats responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning to extend their lead. Lexi Vazquez hit a 2-RBI double in the seventh inning, but the Lady Dawgs fell short of a rally for the win. Pitcher Ava Fivecoat gave up seven runs on 11 hits, issued one walk and struck out two hitters.
Dalton fell to visiting Norwayne 8-4 May 9 to end the regular season. The Bobcats jumped out to a 5-run lead in the first inning. They put three more runs on the board in the top of the third. The Lady Dawgs’ first run of the game came in the sixth inning. In the seventh, Reynolds hit an RBI single, followed by a double from
Vazquez that drove in two runners. Fivecoat worked 6 2/3 innings while giving up three runs on five hits, issuing four walks and striking out six batters.
The Lady Dawgs, who hold the No. 2 seed, took on No. 9 Rittman in the Division IV Northeast 3 sectional final May 10. Dalton won 11-1 to move on in the tournament. Rittman scored its lone run in the top of the first and the Lady Dawgs returned with six runs in the bottom of the inning. In the inning, Vazquez smashed a 3-run home run to break Dalton’s career home run record. This was Vazquez’s 17th home run, which broke the previous record of 16 homers held by Tess Denning. Dalton took advantage of Rittman’s errors in the second inning to plate three runs. The Lady Dawgs capped off the win with two more runs in the third inning. Fivecoat gave up one run on two hits and fanned five hitters.
The Lady Dawgs were set to face No. 3 Independence in the district semifinal game May 15.
