BELLEFONTAINE — The Danville Blue Devils ousted defending state champs Tri-Village Patriots 1-0 on Saturday afternoon, ending the Patriots bid to repeat as state champions in Division VI of the girls softball tournament.
The Blue Devils will play Dalton in the state semifinal June 3 at 5:30 pm at Akron Firestone Stadium.
Coming into the game, Danville and Tri-Village boasted 22-5 records. They earned those wins by their explosive offenses scoring lots of runs.
The Patriots averaged 14 runs a game while yielding only four, while the Devils crossed the dish an average of nine times per contest with a stingy defense permitting three.
Addy Bocock, Danville’s star hurler, knew that she was walking into the circle against the defending state champs and offensive juggernauts were weighing on her mind.
“I knew they were really good, so I was very nervous but excited to be going into the game,” she said.
“I know everyone else was (nervous), but we were all so pumped, and we really wanted it. I think that is what helped us get the win — we just wanted it so badly.”
Danville scored 1 run on five hits and one error.
Bocock pitched a complete game and held the Patriots to two hits. She gave up one walk and notched 16 strikeouts.
Morgan Hinkens drove in the winning run in the sixth. Bocock, Dalayna Parker, Liz John, and Ryleigh Geog also had hits.
Outstanding community support
More than 1,000 well-wishers lined Route 62 as the bus carrying the Blue Devils home made its way through the village. As the team bus rolled into the village, Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District sirens pierced the quiet early evening.
Following Danville’s win over Ada on Thursday, head coach Charlie Duncan praised the fans for the support.
He reinforced that sentiment with the parade on Saturday.
“This community has been tremendous, lining the streets, feeding these kids. When our team was introduced, the place exploded. It was so loud!” the coach said.
(Photos by Dan Werner.)
