Warren defeats New Lex
From staff reportsVINCENT — Warren sophomore Lexie Santini was more than just dominating on the mound.
She also proved herself with the bat.
Santini’s first inning single was followed by Taylor Dolak’s RBI double and the Warriors never looked back as they took a 6-1 win over visiting New Lexington in a sectional semifinal at Warren High School Thursday night.
“She (Santini), for the most part, has been pretty solid all season,” praised Warren head coach Morgan Venham.
On the mound Santini went the distance recording seven strikeouts while walking just a single batter and giving up five hits.
The lone run given up by the Warrior hurler was earned.
After Dolak’s double Warren sophomore Randi McKenna moved Dolak to third on a fielder’s choice and Lakin Horner drove the Warrior second baseman in.
Warren managed to add another run in the second inning, then exploded for their final three runs in the third.
Darci Leffingwell led off with a single, Mallorie Archer followed with a walk and a fielder’s choice off the bat of Hannah McMichael scored Leffingwell.
Maggie Bennett then ripped a hard hit to third base that was misplayed allowing Staci Lauer, who came in as a courtesy runner, to score.
Bennett later scored on a fielder’s choice RBI by Santini to push the Warren lead to 6-0.
New Lexington got their lone run in the fourth.
All told Warren collected 12 hits on the night by nine different girls and committed no errors, adhering to the motto their coach gave them of staying focused, playing fearless and playing flawless.
“Defensively I’m really pleased with their effort,” Venham said.
Venham added he was pleased with the play of his team and the way they handled the pressure of the tournament atmosphere.
“I think they were very relaxed, which is a good thing going into a tournament,” Venham said.
The Warriors now face the winner of Waverly and Meigs at 1 p.m. Saturday at Warren.
Sectional semifinal
at Warren High School
Warren 6, New Lexington 1
New Lex 000 100 0 — 1 5 2
Warren 213 000 x — 6 12 0
WP: Lexie Santini 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 SO, 1 BB
LP: Kinsel 4 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 SO, 1 BB
Gibson 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 SO, 0 BB
New Lexington hitting: Gibson 2-3, run; Wolfe 1-3; Love 1-3; Williams 1-3
Warren (20-6) hitting: Lexie Santini 1-4, run, RBI; Taylor Dolak 2-4, run, RBI, 2B; Randi McKenna 1-4, RBI; Lakin Horner 2-4, RBI; Darci Leffingwell 2-3, run; Hannah McMichael 2-3; Staci Lauer run; Maggie Bennett 1-3, run; Mallorie Archer 0-2, BB, run; Stephanie Koon 1-4
Next game: Winner of Waverly and Meigs at Warren Saturday 1 p.m.
