H.S. Notebook: Lancaster softball makes history, ranked No. 1 in the state for first time
LANCASTER — The Lancaster softball team made history earlier in the week when they were ranked No. 1 in the state in the Division I Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll.
The Lady Gales are 13-1 overall and 3-0 in the Ohio Capital Conference. Their lone loss came on their Florida spring break trip against Ballard, 6-4, which has won back-to-back state championships in Kentucky.
Lancaster is currently riding a 10-game winning streak. The Gales are playing a tough nonconference schedule and have already beaten two state-ranked teams — Unioto, ranked No. 3 in Division II, and Strasburg-Franklin, No. 1 in Division IV.
The Gales received five first-place votes in the poll, three more ahead of rival Watkins Memorial, which was ranked No. 2. The Gales and Warriors are familiar with each other. Two years ago, Lancaster reached their first-ever Division I regional final, one step away from the final four, but fell short against the Warriors.
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They will face each other Saturday and, no doubt, could face each other again in the tournament.
Lancaster has had a ton of success in the past three years and is hoping this is the year it can get over the hump and reach the state tournament.
The Gales have won 58 games during the past three years, which includes three OCC-Buckeye Division championships, two district titles and a district runner-up finish.
They average double digits in runs scored per game, and the pitching duo of senior Reese Poston and Ashlin Mowery have been lights out.
Lancaster boys track getting it done
The Gales continue to have success by winning big meet after big meet. Earlier in the year, they won the Nelsonville Rocky Brands Invitational, and last Saturday, they placed first in the Joe Jenge Dublin Classic against a tough field.
First-place performances were turned in by Logen Justice (high jump), and Brendon Simcox (110 and 300 hurdles). Lancaster showed its depth by recording several second-, third- and fourth-place finishes which helped secure the team title.
Lancaster will now turn its thoughts toward the favorite meet of the year when they host the Fulton Relays. The Gales are the defending champions.
Prime time players
Several area athletes have had exceptional performances over the past week. Here are a few.
Lancaster softball senior Skylar Smith hit back-to-back home runs in a 20-0 win over Newark. Smith hit a three-run home run in her first at-bat and followed it up with a solo shot. She has 12 home runs on the season.
Fairfield Union track and field's Chayse Lipscomb, a junior, placed first in two events, as well as second and fourth to help lead the Falcons to a team title at the Heath Hank Smith Invitational. Lipscomb placed first in the 110 and 300 hurdles, fourth in the high jump and was on the 1,600 relay team that placed second.
Liberty Union softball sophomore Suzie Shultz has pitched 22 innings in her last four games and has 39 strikeouts.
Fairfield Union track and field senior Anna Conrad was first in the 1,600, second in the 800, and was on the 1,600 relay and 3,200 relay teams that placed first to help lead the Falcons to a team championship in the Heath Hank Smith Invitational.
Lancaster softball junior Ashlin Mowery fired a one-hitter, struck out 13 and hit a three-home run to help lead the Gales to a 20-0 road against rival Newark.
Fairfield Union softball's Maddie Lanning went 4-for-4, including two doubles, and had six RBIs to help lead the Falcons to a 12-11 nonconference win over New Lexington.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Notebook: Lancaster softball makes history, ranked No. 1 in the state
