SUNBURY ? Newark Catholic's softball team put extra emphasis on hitting as it prepared for its Division VII district final against top-seeded Lancaster Fisher.
But even the most optimistic among the Green Wave couldn't have predicted what happened May 23 at Big Walnut.
Addi Gerber had a three-run, first-inning homer for second-seeded NC, and the Green Wave never stopped, pounding out 19 hits in a five-inning 13-1 win for its second regional berth in the last three years. Gerber's home run over the center field fence followed leadoff singles by Brooklyn Kurtz and Joanna Bailey.
"That was amazing," winning pitcher Veronica Bailey said. "It started a fire under us. It was great."
Coach Logan Depriest said NC, a deceptive 11-15 against bigger schools in the rugged Licking County League, will go as far as its hitting can take it. The Green Wave faces second-ranked Symmes Valley (26-2) at 5 p.m. May 28 at Groveport.
"We drilled, drilled, drilled on hitting, and went out and put on an absolute master class," Depriest said. "It was phenomenal to see. Once we got that ball rolling, we've shown what we can do against teams in our division."
NC blitzed its three district opponents by a combined 34-1, the one run coming in the first inning against Fisher (17-6) when Veronica Bailey struggled with her control, walking in a run. But that didn't faze the Green Wave, who by the end of the second inning were up 6-1 on RBI doubles by Kurtz and Joanna Bailey and Veronica Bailey's run-scoring single.
"It was timing, definitely. Just wait on the ball, watch inside and finish your swing," said Joanna Bailey, who went 4 for 4 with two doubles and two singles and two RBIs.
Observed twin sister Veronica: "Be patient, see your pitch and hit it."
The lead ballooned to 10-0 in the third as Aly Rothweiler perfectly executed the safety squeeze, Joanna Bailey had an RBI hit and Veronica ripped a two-run single off the first baseman's glove. Then in the fifth, Emma Lohri blooped an RBI single to right, and Joanna Snider smacked a two-run double to deep right center.
After her early struggles, Veronica Bailey settled down, finishing with a two-hitter with five strikeouts and just two more walks the rest of the way.
"I just had to regroup after that first inning," she said. "I was overthrowing it. We always talk about 'aim small, miss small.' It was focus and knowing I had my defense behind me."
Depriest said she had great command, something they continue to work on, and homed in after a tight strike zone and a couple of illegal pitch calls got into her head a little bit.
"Her recognition was really good and she locked in, trusted her pitches and trusted that we had her back," Joanna Bailey said.
Seven NC players had multiple hits, including Joanna Bailey's four, three each by Snider and Jahni Whitney, and two apiece from Kurtz, Gerber, Veronica Bailey and Lohri.
"Joanna's coming off a shoulder injury, and she's basically swinging with one and a half shoulders," Veronica Bailey said of her sister. "She's worked so hard with strengthening exercises."
The Green Wave won't be totally unfamiliar with Symmes Valley.
"I lived in Ironton for quite a while. I know (coach) Odie (Estep) and his program," Depriest said. "I have a lot of good friends who played for Symmes Valley. It will be a lot of family there."
NC will be looking to advance further than the 2023 team, which lost to Portsmouth Notre Dame in the 2023 regional semifinals.
"My freshman year we won district, last year we had a little slip up, and now we're back," Joanna Bailey said. "I'm so proud of my team. I know our record is not great, but it's not how you start, it's how you finish."
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