Smith, Utica softball opens with win, finding that tournament 'fire'

UTICA ― Cheyenne Smith got a little help from her friends Monday.

The Utica junior pitched a three-hitter, throwing 51 of her 82 pitches for strikes, and 11th-seeded Utica got timely defense and just enough offense for a 3-1 win against 13th-seeded Centerburg in a Division III tournament opener.

Utica (9-10), which advances to play at ninth seed Grandview Heights (15-7) on Wednesday, outhit the Trojans 9-3, but left nine on base and couldn't exhale until senior center fielder Lexi Wiegand's game-ending defensive gem.

Centerburg (6-18) had two on and one out in the seventh, down 3-1, when Wiegand leaped to snag Abby Herren's shot to deep center and threw out the runner at second for a double play. In the sixth, she also robbed Lexie Moore of a hit with her lunging grab on a sinking liner.

"We moved her from shortstop, where she's been since her freshman year, to get her speed and knowledge into the outfield," Coach Staci Meyers said.

Added Smith: "She's just flat out amazing."

The Trojans had just one hit off Smith through the first four innings, but Kenlee Fairall's solo home run in the second gave them a 1-0 lead that held into the fifth.

"I normally don't let home runs get to me," said Smith, who struck out four, walked two and hit a batter. "Especially with the team I have behind me. I knew they were going to play defense and come back."

Observed coach Meyers: "Cheyenne was locked in. She lets her defense do the work when they need to. She knows not to put it all on her shoulders."

They finally broke through in the fifth when leadoff hitter Wiegand was hit by a pitch and stole second base. After a groundout, sophomore third baseman Emily Meyers tied it with an RBI single to center. Then with two outs, senior catcher Lauren Schmitt smacked a two-run double to right center, scoring Meyers and pinch runner Katie Kidd with what proved to be the winning runs.

"I had slumped in the last couple of games, and I just told myself, 'Enough of this. It's tournament time,'" said Schmitt. "I knew I had a job to do there, and not doing it was not an option."

From the circle, Smith also effectively did her job.

"Her speed was excellent, and she was weaving it in and out," Schmitt said. "She was putting the ball where I needed her to."

Hannah Shaver went 3 for 3 for Utica, and Meyers had two hits. Seeing so many different players contribute is part of the reason Schmitt feels this season's team has a different vibe.

"We're confident and coming in ready to win," she said. "We've found that fire this year, which we haven't always had in the past."

Competing in the powerful Licking County League may have resulted in some losses, but it also gave Utica valuable experience. If Utica gets by Grandview Heights, second seed Cardington would be next in the district semifinals, but Utica won't be daunted.

"The LCL gets us all ready, for everybody and what we might face," Smith said.

Coach Meyers wants Utica to go out strong for their six seniors, three of whom have started since their freshman year.

"It's exciting for them, experiencing that winning feeling in the tournament," she said. "Hopefully we can keep it going."

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Smith, Utica softball opens with win, finding that tournament 'fire'