RIDGE TURNS AWAY THE VIKINGS
MINERAL RIDGE OH- Lily Merolillo was lights out Monday night, striking out 11 and carrying Mineral Ridge past Waterloo 6-1 with a dominant outing in the circle.
Merolillo didn’t walk a single batter and gave up just two hits—all while keeping Waterloo off balance from start to finish. The only blemish came in the seventh when Jolean Hampton tagged her for a solo homer, but by then the game was all but wrapped up.
Sullivan Sandy couldn’t miss at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three singles and a double. She also swiped three bags and was a sparkplug for the Ridge offense all game long.
The Rams got going in the first with a double from Maddie Gerberry to bring in the game’s first run. Kelcee Dye added another RBI double in the third to stretch the lead to 3-0. Ridge tacked on a few more insurance runs in the later innings to keep it out of reach.
Sandy, Gerberry, and Dye each drove in two runs as Mineral Ridge piled up 12 hits. On defense, the Rams were rock solid—no errors, and Dye led the way with 11 chances cleanly handled.
Hampton went 2-for-3 for Waterloo and supplied their only run with a no-doubt shot to center in the final frame. She also went the distance in the circle, giving up six runs (five earned) on 12 hits. These two go at it again Tuesday, this time at Waterloo.
