Defense shines as Johnstown shuts out East Knox, wins district championship
PICKERINGTON — Dakota Staffan admitted apprehension when the softball was sharply hit at her Saturday, but the Johnstown senior third baseman most importantly showed no panic.
Staffan knocked down a hard-hit grounder and tagged out the oncoming runner at third base with one out in the seventh inning. It was one of several key defensive plays for the top-seeded Johnnies, who escaped with a 1-0 victory against No. 6 East Knox (18-7) to win a Division III district championship at Pickerington Central.
“Obviously, a little nervous. There is a ball coming at you and a runner coming at you,” Staffan said. “I just tried to keep my mind on getting the ball and getting back to the runner as fast as I could, tagging her before she could get to the base.”
Johnstown (24-2) won its second district title in three seasons. The Johnnies play Sherwood Fairview (22-1) in a regional semifinal at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bucyrus.
After Staffan cut down the lead runner, ace right-hander Macy Walters induced a shallow fly ball to sophomore right fielder Peyton Mischel, who was just inserted into the game, stranding runners at first and second to end the game. The often-dominant Walters struck out nine but also allowed seven hits and was backed up by four putouts from senior center fielder Laney Zak.
“It was amazing," Zak said. "We did not quit the entire game, and I am proud of my whole team. Being the senior in the outfield, it is important to stay up for everyone and get to as many balls as I can to back up my teammates. Yes, I want the ball to come to me.”
Johnstown managed just five hits against East Knox ace right-hander Maddy Cotsamire, who shut out Newark Catholic in a Division IV district final a year ago. The Johnnies bunched two together at the right time as Staffan dropped a single into shallow center field following Walters’ double with two outs in the third inning.
“(Cotsamire) knew where she needed to pitch us for sure,” Staffan said. “Sometimes, all it takes is a little bloop to center field. The pressure’s on, so everyone’s a little nervous.”
After Walters touched home plate to give herself a 1-0 lead, her defense took center stage.
With two outs in the fourth inning, Gracie Sheasby’s blooper down the right-field line eluded freshman right fielder Katie Blackburn, but Blackburn recovered and fired home to classmate Addy Zak to retire Kayla Finch at the plate after she had raced all the way from first base. The play set off a raucous celebration on the Johnstown side.
“My catcher had a heck of a game,” Johnstown coach Mike Justice said. "She is a freshman. My right fielder is a freshman, and she made the play of the game in my opinion. That just goes to show you it is a total team effort. We have great senior leadership and skill set, but top to bottom all 16 girls really help us to be a complete team.”
Addy Zak had a team-best two hits for the Johnnies. She also made two catches in foul territory on popups behind the plate to secure needed outs.
Johnstown was the favorite in the district tournament, but despite moving into No. 10 in the final state coaches poll, the Johnnies will be the underdog when facing Fairview, which finished No. 4 and won the state championship in 2021. It is a role in which the Johnnies thrived two years ago when they also reached the state tournament.
“Every game is going to be like this,” Staffan said. "All of the teams coming into this tournament are good, and the farther you get, the better they get. We have to stick together through the ups and the downs.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Defense shines as Johnstown shuts out East Knox, wins district championship
