DANVILLE — Alicia Humphrey and Emily Weckesser did the heavy lifting Tuesday afternoon.
Humphrey belted a pair of home runs and Weckesser knocked in five runs as top-seeded Danville cruised to a run rule-shortened 12-2 win over No. 7 Ridgedale in the Division IV district semifinals.
Ridgedale jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first before Humphrey went to work in the bottom of the inning. Danville’s leadoff hitter belted a solo shot on the first pitch she saw from Ridgedale pitcher Kenzie Delaney to cut Ridgedale’s lead to 2-1.
The Blue Devils scored five two-out runs in the home half of the third to take control. Humphrey and Jaylyn Smith singled before Abi Sapp drew a walk to load the bases. Delaney retired the next two Danville hitters she faced before Addison Mickley delivered a two-run single. Addy Bocock followed with a run-scoring single and Weckesser tripled to plate two more.
The Blue Devils (23-4) added a run in the fourth and put it away with four in the fifth. Weckesser launched a three-run homer and Humphrey hit her second solo shot later in the frame.
Humphrey and Smith each had three hits. Weckesser and Mickley each had two hits. Mickley knocked in three.
Grace Gronberg went the distance for Danville. She scattered five hits and struck out 10 in six innings.
Danville will play either Mechanicsburg or Fisher Catholic for the district title at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pickerington Central.