Clippers glad to have Gamble on their side

Morning Journal/Matt Morrison
Columbiana’s Maryn Hepler (5) is greeted at home plate after hitting a home run Wednesday.

COLUMBIANA–Mackenzi Gamble notched a no-hitter while striking out 13 and walking two to guide No. 3 seeded Columbiana past No. 8 seeded Wickliffe 5-0 in a Div. III sectional final on Wednesday at Firestone Park.

“Honestly that was one of my more confident games,” the senior said. “I felt more comfortable in the circle knowing that my defense was actually there today.”

“We know that Mackenzi is a fantastic pitcher,” Columbiana coach Daryl Kurtz said. “She has had tremendous career here (at Columbiana). She is approaching her 400th strikeout and she can hit a little bit too. She is a dual-threat player and I’m glad she is on our side and not the opposing team.”

Columbiana improves to 23-4, which broke the previous record of wins in a season, while Wickliffe falls to 14-4.

The previous record was set in 2015 when Columbiana went 22-4.

The matchup was originally scheduled for Thursday but due to an unfavorable forecast and both Wickliffe and Columbiana having their prom on Friday the game was moved to Wednesday.

The Northeast District board left it up to Columbiana and Wickliffe to change the game to Wednesday if they wanted to.

“With prom on Friday it would probably be pushed to a Saturday and you are getting into post prom and different things,” Kurtz said. “Wickliffe also has their prom on Friday and they were willing to move it, which was nice and we appreciate that.”

“I liked it a lot better,” Gamble said. “Mainly because that is the day before our prom, so I feel like it was a lot easier and nicer all around.”

Cameron Perkins led the Clippers with one run scored and two hits, including a ground ball to left field that allowed two runs to score to give the Clippers 3-0 advantage in the third inning.

Maryn Hepler had a two-run homer to left field that gave the Clippers a 5-0 lead in the fourth inning. Ella Dota and Caitlynn Pleska each had one hit and one run scored. Gamble had one hit, while Alaina Johnston scored one run.

Wickliffe had to make a quick turnaround to play Columbiana as it was coming off of a 3-2 win over Garfield in eight innings in the sectional opener on Tuesday.

“We know we had it scheduled for Thursday, but looking at the forecast we knew there was a high possibility of a rain out,” Wickliffe coach Marlana Mucciarone said. “We both have prom on Friday and (the district board) was telling us noon on Saturday (for a makeup) which I think would have been a disaster for both schools. I don’t think our girls would have been mentally ready to play a game, so I pushed for Wednesday.”

Wickliffe was confident on playing back-to-back games, but Gamble and the Clippers made it difficult.

“We have played back-to-back before,” Mucciarone said. “Unfortunately, Their pitcher (Gamble) kept us off balance and that is what pitching is all about. It messed up our timing and we weren’t able to put the bat on the ball as much as we liked.”

Leigha Blazetic was the losing pitcher for Wickliffe as she surrendered six hits and four earned runs while striking out seven and walking two.

Columbiana will now prepare to take on the winner of today’s game between No. 10 seed Rootstown and No. 7 seed Pymatuning Valley. The winner of that game will meet the Clippers at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday at South Range High School in the district semifinal.

“At the draw I saw Rootstown was a 7-4 team,” Kurtz said. “I know they have a good pitcher, but all the teams that you see from here on will have a good pitcher, play solid defense and they are going to have danger within their lineup. We will be scoreboard watching since we are not playing and we may have an opportunity to go see the game.”

“Our districts have some strong teams,” Mucciarone said. “I think (Columbiana) will be challenged and there will be some close games.”

Columbiana may opt to play a regular season game on Monday to prepare.

“I have one to play with,” Kurtz said. “Potentially I may pick something up on Monday. With prom weekend there is a lot going on if we play on Monday it may be an opportunity to shake off some rust. We will talk with the staff and decide what the next plan is.”

W: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0–0-0-2

C: 0-1-2-2-0-0-x–5-6-1