Warren’s Ana Shutts (13) slides safely into third base ahead of the tag to Waverly’s Ava Robertson during Wednesday’s Ohio IV Division IV sectional semifinal game against Waverly in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

VINCENT – Waverly learned its lesson from an opening night fallout and snuffed out Warren’s attempt to create chaos in a postseason matchup.

In an Ohio Division IV sectional semifinal Wednesday afternoon at Warren High School, Warren trailed Waverly 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

With the tying run on second base and two outs, the Warriors tried to catch Waverly out of position on a bunt attempt. Instead, Tiger first baseman Addi Hudnell fielded the ball along the first base line and calmly threw to second baseman Emma Nesser standing on the first base bag for the final out and the 2-0 win.

With two of her fastest runners on the basepaths and the bats missing contact more often than not against Waverly junior Lexi Smith, Warren coach Katie Dickson felt the percentages were higher to test the Waverly infielders and possibly bring home two runs on one pitch.

“Our girls had really struggled seeing the ball and I had my two fastest baserunners on – I was trying to create some chaos and see if we could at least get their attention,” Dickson said after her ballclub ended the season at 9-16. “The bunt was beautiful, honestly. Waverly shifted a little bit. We wanted to get them out of position and with maybe one bad throw it would have fallen in our favor.”

Waverly pitcher Lexi Smith delivers a pitch during Wednesday’s Ohio IV Division IV sectional semifinal game against Waverly in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Warren’s approach resembled their season-opener against Jackson. That game was tied 1-1 going into the sixth inning when Jackson started playing small-ball and won 7-1. Against several regular-season opponents and again against the Warriors, the Tigers had learned their lesson.

The postgame celebration for Waverly didn’t amount to much – other than the fact they had just executed the 21st out.

“We knew it was the third out – that happened the first game of the year against who we play next,” Waverly coach Scott Hayes after his team improved to 9-13 and earned the right to play second-seeded Jackson next Wednesday at Logan High School. “Jackson beat us with the bunt and from that moment on we said that is not going to happen to us again. We are not going to get beat with the bunt again.

“Every single inning of every single game we are in bunt coverages on bunt defense. A lot of the teams on our schedule play small ball, so we have to be prepared for it anyway.”

Warren received a good omen to start the game when Lexi Smith swung at the first pitch and ripped it to the gap in right-center field. Warren right fielder Bralynn Bonnette showed exceptional speed and caught the ball on the run to rob Smith of extra bases.

Warren’s Jayda Murray, left, celebrates with her first base coach after reaching on a base hit during Wednesday’s Ohio IV Division IV sectional semifinal game against Waverly in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Teammate Megan Brothers pulled off a second web gem in the third inning, sprinting with a full head of steam and diving forward to pick off a sure hit just before the ball found green grass.

Warren starting pitcher Gracie Adams did her part for 3.1 innings, allowing just one unearned run in the top of the fourth inning. She gave up just one hit, walked and one and struck out one before giving way to Kyla Williams.

Williams was cruising – retiring the first five batters she faced – before Hudnall and Whitley Brown opened the sixth inning with back-to-back, stand-up doubles to put Waverly in front 2-0.

“The doubles by Addi and Whitley were huge because we were trying to small-ball it ourselves to scratch one more run,” Hayes said. “Warren was playing great defense.”

Coach Dickson utilized a total of three pitchers. Williams finished with four strikeouts over three innings of work. Marina Johnson then retired the final two Waverly batters in the seventh inning.

Warren pitcher Kyla Williams enters the game in relief during Wednesday’s Ohio IV Division IV sectional semifinal game against Waverly in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

For the first five innings, Warren’s offense was kept quiet for the most part. Smith recorded 11 of her 12 strikeouts during that span and allowed just two baserunners – a lead-off single in the third inning by Jayda Murray and a lead-off double by DeLaney Gates in the fourth inning.

The home plate umpire’s strike zone catered to Smith’s style of pitching.

“Usually some umpires aren’t fond of the outside,” Smith said. “But my curve goes to the outside corner. Batters can’t reach it. The umpire called it, so that gave me a lot of my strikeouts tonight.

“The outside worked pretty good for me so I kind of lived out there. And my defense backed me up. It was a good game from both teams tonight.

“That ball I hit in the first inning, I came into the dugout and thought that was a good play. The other team is going to make plays, too. You just have to work around them.”

Warren starting pitcher Gracie Adams delivers a pitch Wednesday’s Ohio IV Division IV sectional semifinal game against Waverly in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Ana Shutts led off the Warren sixth with a single then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Bonnette. However, Smith retired the next two hitters without incident to keep the shutout intact.

In the home half of the seventh inning, Warren didn’t go away quietly. Hailey Metz opened the frame with a solid single to center field. Gracie Adams hit a slow roller to shortstop and Metz was forced out at second base.

A walk to Johnson put the potential winning run at the plate. Murray gave a Smith offering a good ride to deep right field but Brown made the catch for the second out. Shutts in the No. 9 slot of the batting order pushed a bunt to the right side of the infield, but Waverly was ready and recorded the third and final out.

“No matter what our record is, we want to play for a chance to get to the district finals – every day, that is our goal,” Hayes said. “We only have one senior, and we have six freshmen or sophomores who didn’t even play varsity ball last year. This is a two-year build. We have been aiming toward May. This means a lot to us.”

Inside the Warren dugout, the Warriors graduate two seniors – Megan Brothers and Madison Biehl. Yes there is disappointment having to hold a final team meeting on the pitching mound at your home field, but the Warriors are optimistic about what the future holds for the program.

“We have the two seniors, and their presence will be missed,” Dickson said. “Today, we came in with the expectation that this is the beginning of something different and something new. It was really hard to have an end of the season conversation.

“But yes, we are excited about next season.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com