Lint's pitching gem propels Dover past John Glenn and first district title since 2015

GNADENHUTTEN — Kara Lint never let John Glenn feel comfortable on Thursday.

The sophomore pitcher struck out 20 and allowed only three singles, while the Crimson Tornadoes took advantage of several Muskie errors during a 7-0 win in the Division II district championship game at Indian Valley.

Dover advances to the regional semifinal against the winner of Chillicothe Unioto and Circleville at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Pickerington Central, while John Glenn finishes 20-7.

"You have to pitch it, hit it and field it, especially this time of year," John Glenn coach Steve Cowgill said. "I thought our pitching was good, but we weren't good in the other two phases. We didn't rise to the occasion, but this game doesn't define our season."

The three-pitch arsenal of Lint overwhelmed the Muskies. Alivia Boothe was the only John Glenn player to not strike out, collecting two of the team's three hits, and Estelle Matheney added a bunt single in the sixth.

Dover coach Hannah Duff credited Lint for moving and mixing her pitches.

"She was able to spin the ball, and her ball moves so much," Duff said. "One inning she was using her curveball, and the next she threw her screwball. Her riseball was also effective for the first four innings. She was on her game."

Cowgill credited Lint and her arsenal for shutting down his squad.

"She had us sitting back and guessing," he said. "She did what she needed to do and shut us down."

Early support enough for Dover

The Crimson Tornadoes also took advantage of three John Glenn errors in the bottom of the first to build an early lead. One error set up Charlie Reese's sac fly to right that brought home Olivia McCue, while another allowed a second run to score for a 2-0 advantage.

Dover then timed up John Glenn ace Sydney Marshall in a three-run third. The Tornadoes hit four singles, including RBI hits by Lainey Kohler and Alli Hupp, to extend the lead to 5-0.

Jenna Molk capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth. She was one of three Tornadoes with two hits, as Kohler and Sara Klar also added two hits and Madi Bantum hit a double.

An aggressive approach benefited Dover against Marshall, Duff said. Marshall gave up seven runs, three earned, on nine hits and struck out two in the complete-game loss.

"We talked about attacking and looking for first-pitch strikes," she said. "We also did a good job fouling off pitches, waiting for the one we liked.

"This group deserves this opportunity. They've worked hard to get here, and they're ready to shine at regionals."

Tough ending for Muskies, Cowgill

John Glenn had plenty of success behind its three seniors Boothe, Marshall and Sarah Wayne. The group led the Muskies to four straight Muskingum Valley League titles, four straight district final appearances and a state final four appearance as freshmen.

The group went 42-11 in Cowgill's two seasons, as he told the team this was his final game with the program.

He plans to spend time watching his grandchildren play sports, but whoever follows him will have plenty of talent, as six sophomores started this season, and the junior varsity squad only had a couple losses.

"It's about family, and I want to watch my grandchildren. I've enjoyed my time here, and I'm proud of what we accomplished," said Cowgill, who spent 19 years, including the final two as head coach, with the John Glenn program. "Our seniors have a lot to be proud of and had phenomenal careers. Alivia and Sydney got the headlines, but Sarah was an outstanding player. She did what we asked of her, and all three were key to our success.

"There's a lot of good players here, and these sophomores gained valuable experience. They've seen what it's going to take, and there's good things ahead for them."

bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Lint's pitching gem propels Dover past John Glenn and first district title since 2015