Oran falls to Naylor in district title game

sports@standard-democrat.com

ORAN -- Bursts of offense from the Naylor Lady Eagles put Oran's hopes of toppling the Class 1, District 1 top-seed out of the picture.

Naylor erupted for five runs in the third inning and four more in the sixth to put an end to Oran's season on their home field on Friday during a 9-1 loss.

"They're a hard hitting team," Oran coach Wade Sanders said about Naylor. "They put the ball in play and they hit it hard and deep.

"I'm disappointed. But, they were the better team."

Although Oran couldn't match Naylor's offense throughout, the hometown Lady Eagles struck first in the top of the first inning.

Facing a full count, Oran's Taylor Nenninger smoked a single to right field, which was misplayed by Naylor's right fielder. Nenninger advanced to third on the hit and scored Addie Kielhofner, who walked to open the contest, in the process.

"I was hoping for a 1-0 game," Sanders said. "In the back of my mind, I knew we were going to have to do better at the plate."

After that, Oran failed to push more runs across, but they didn't go without their chances.

Including Nenninger, who was left stranded on third in the first inning, Oran left five runner's in scoring position.

"We put the bat on the ball but, overall, we were behind in the count, had to bunt quite a bit and missed some signs," Sanders said. "There were a few young mistakes that were made on our part."

Part of Oran's problems at the dish involved battling Naylor's starting pitcher, Erica Engelman.

Naylor's ace provided a little quicker tempo than Oran had been used to up until now.

"She was much better than what she looked (Thursday)," Sanders said. "I didn't realize she had that kind of speed. We hadn't seen that kind of speed for quite awhile so it was hard to catch up to."

Engelman allowed just one run on five hits. She struck out seven and walked none in the district clincher.

"(Oran) came in with the game plan of taking early and trying to get ahead in the count and hoping she would take something off," Naylor coach Gene Deckard said. "We kind of picked up on that and after that point, she just came at them with heat. She didn't try to fool anybody until the late innings. It was classic Erica -- throwing it right off the corner and hitting her spots."

Oran starting pitcher Morgan Todt, who was pitching in her second consecutive game after a small time off due to an injury, kept the high-powered Naylor offense off track for the first two innings. Although, it didn't take them long to scratch out their first bunch of runs.

Naylor's Erica Engelman knocked in their first run of the game with an RBI triple. Andrea Sullivan added an RBI single in the very next at-bat with a bloop in between second base and centerfield to give Naylor the go-ahead run.

"(Todt) looked like she was a little slower than (Thursday)," Sanders said. "She's tough. She's got an injury and she doesn't use it as an excuse but I think it slowed her down a little bit. But, all I ask her to put the ball in play and the defense will back her up."

Sullivan later scored on an infield single by Charity McCoy. Mary Elder brought in two more runs for Naylor with a 2-RBI double down the left field line.

"We told them in the first inning, one run wasn't going to beat us," Deckard said. "With this group, we feel like we have 11 or 12 good hitters. We've got some girls that could play for a lot of people that's not getting much playing time and they're pretty good hitters. When your No. 9 hitter can come up and get a two-out, RBI line drive hit -- that's huge."

Oran threatened to take back at least two runs in their half of the fourth inning when Bailey Carlyle bunted for a single and Nenninger reached first on a defensive error by Naylor, which both Carlyle and Nenninger advanced a base on.

Oran had no outs and runners on second and third, but ended the inning with three straight outs.

Naylor kept pouring it on in the sixth which ended up being the nail in Oran's coffin.

Taylor Day drove in Lauren Rich to kick things off. Engelman added her third hit of the day which scored Kayla Johnson to give Naylor a 7-1 advantage.

During the next at-bat, Sullivan drove in her second run of the game with a single. An outfield error allowed Engelman to score which capped Naylor's run total.

"This group can strike quick," Deckard said. "I'll never turn down a bunch."

Naylor has won the last three district crowns and will play Dora on Wednesday in the sectional round.

"I hope we get three, four or five more in a row before we take a break," Deckard said.

Oran finished their season with an 11-10 record. They will say goodbye to just one senior, Scheeter.

"It's a disappointing end, but I think it was a great season for us," said Sanders. "I'm pleased. I haven't coached softball in four years and this is a special group. We're extremely young by starting five sophomores and two freshman. I'm just anxious to see what next year holds -- especially the next two years. There's a lot of potential here."

Oran 100 000 0 -- 1 4 2

Naylor 005 004 x -- 9 16 2

WP -- Erica Engelman. LP -- Morgan Todt. 2B -- (N) Engelman, Mary Elder. 3B -- (O) Anna Jones; (N) Engelman.