LEBANON – Miami East coach Brian Kadel couldn’t have been more happy with his team after his Lady Vikings run ruled Clermont Northeastern 12-1 in five innings to claim a district championship.
“Several girls stepped up tonight at the plate,” Kadel said. “They tried to limit our offense by taking the bat out of Kyleigh’s hands, but the girls behind her came through with big hits.”
With the way Kyleigh Kirby hits the ball, it’s no surprise Northeastern tried to limit her opportunities at the plate. After all, Kirby bats near .600 and has 12 home runs on the year.
Clermont opened with a run in the first, but that would be it as Kirby and the Lady Vikings shut things down for the opponent.
“We started a little shaky, walking one and hitting one in the top of the first,” Kadel explained. “With bases loaded and one out, they hit a ground ball to shortstop Maddie (Maxson). She threw to second for the out, but the runner on third scored. Abigail (Kadel) tried to turn the double play, throwing to one. The girl at first was safe, but Kayly (Fetters) threw the ball home to Braven (Mills) and we got the third out at home as the girl who was at second tried to score. Only giving up one run that inning was huge.”
Miami East scored five runs in the third to take the momentum. Jacqueline Kadel singled to start the inning and then Northeastern intentionally walked Kyleigh Kirby. After a passed ball advanced the runners, Maddie Masxson executed a perfect bunt scoring Kadel and when the ball got by the catcher, Kirby scored right behind her. Kayly Fetters hit a single to score Maxson. Abigail Kadel reached on a hit by pitch and then Keira Kirby singled, scoring both runners.
In the fourth, Jacqueline Kadel led off with a triple and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyleigh Kirby as Northeastern was forced to finally challenge the senior standout at the plate. Reagan Howell hit a hard ball that was misplayed in the outfield and reached second base. Maddie Maxson then doubled to score Howell. Abigail Kadel then doubled to score Maxson to make it 8-1.
Clermont Northeastern attempted to get back into the game in the fifth, but Miami East wouldn’t let that happen thanks to a huge defensive plays where Kiera Kirby caught a shallow fly ball in left and doubled a runner up at second to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Kalli Teeters singled to start the innings and Jacquline Kadel doubled. Once again, Northeastern intentionally walked Kyleigh Kirby for the third time. After a ground out, Maddie Maxson hit a single up the middle scoring two to make it 10-1. Kayly Fetters followed that up with a laser to left to plate the final two runs for the run rule victory.
Jacqueline Kadel was 3-4 with a double, triple and three runs, while Maddie Maxson was 3-4 with 4 RBI and a double and Kayly Fetters was 3-4 with 3 RBI. Abigail Kadel had a double as well for the Vikings.
Next up is the Regional Semi-Final against Carlisle next Wednesday at 2:00pm at Centerville.
