EATON — A no-hitter and a pair of shutouts were the highlights of the week for Eaton’s softball team.
Eaton, which went 3-0 this week, recorded wins over Valley View (9-0 and 14-4) and got a no-hit pitching performance from junior Meredith Pieratt in a 15-0 against Oakwood in between.
The Eagles opened the week with a 9-0 blanking of Valley View on Monday, April 15, at home.
Eaton scored a run in the first, then added three in the third and four more in the fourth.
Freshman Ella Statzer went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, while fellow freshman Kaydence Cook added a hit, walked twice and scored three runs.
Junior Hannah Redick went 2-for-3 with a double and drove in run.
Pieratt added a hit and two RBI and senior Alexia Morgan doubles and drove in two runs.
On Tuesday, Pieratt picked up her second win of the week, tossing a 5-inning no-hitter. She struck out 13 and walked one while allow just two base runners.
Eaton scored five in the second and closed out the scoring with a 10-run fifth inning.
“Super proud of the way we came out and our intensity,” Eaton coach Maggie Neanen said. “Meredith threw the best I have seen her throw this year. She had great spin and great velocity. Striking out the first 10 hitters of the game. Gracie Coppers bat came alive and knocked some runs in for us. Ella Statzer continues to have great at bats. We just have to continue to get better each game and continue to have quality at bats, that’s been our focus since our loss to Brookville.”
Statzer, who went 2-for-4, hit a grand slam and drove in four runs. Redick doubled and drove in a run. Pieratt added two hits and two RBI. Morgan scored three times and drove in one.
Senior Gracie Copper went 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and scored twice.
On Wednesday, Eaton wasted little time in taking control at Valley View.
The Eagles scored five runs in the first, two more in the second and third innings and closed out the scoring with five runs in the fourth in the run-rule win.
“Our bats finally came alive like we have been expecting them to all season,” Neanen said. “Sarah Abner pitched a great game, held them to four runs only giving up six hits while striking out six and no walks. Our defense did a great job backing her up.”
As a team, Eaton had six extra-base hits.
Offensively, Pieratt led the way going 2-for-2 with six RBI. Statzer, from her leadoff spot, added two hits, scored three runs, and drove in one. Copper added three hits and drove in a run.
Eaton, now 8-2 overall and 4-2 in Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division, was scheduled to play Oakwood on Thursday, April 18.
League title hopes will be on the line early next week for Eaton as they host Carlisle and Brookville, the only two teams to beat them thus far in league play. Eaton fell to Carlisle 6-2 and 1-0 to Brookville. Waynesville currently sits atop the SWBL Buckeye Division with a 5-0 record, while Carlisle is 3-0 and Brookville is 5-2.
Eaton will host the Indians on Monday, April 22 and Brookville on Tuesday, April 23. A county match-up follows at home on Wednesday when the Eagles are set to host National Trail.
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
