Beaver Local's softball team poses with the Div. IV district runner-up trophy after a 9-0 loss to John Glenn on Wednesday at Tuscarawas Valley High School. (Photo by Mike Brown)

ZOARVILLE –The Beaver Local softball team, which enjoyed many highlights this season, saw its season come to an end as the top-seeded Beavers dropped a 9-0 decision to second-seeded John Glenn in a rain-filled Division IV district championship game at Tusky Valley High School Wednesday evening.

With the setback, the Beavers, who rolled to the Buckeye 8 and OVAC division championships this spring, finished with a 24-5 record.

“I extremely proud of all of them,” said Beaver Local head coach Mark Cashdollar. “I love all of those guys and I’ve got great help with (coaches) Kelly (Jones) and Katie (Neville).

“All but one (starter comes back next year),” added Beaver Local coach Katie Neville of the young and extremely talented Beaver Local team. “We’re super excited. We’re very proud of these girls, they were Buckeye 8 champions and OVAC champions and No. 1 seed coming in, so we can’t ask any more and they should be proud of themselves.”

With the win, John Glenn improved to 25-5 and advanced to the Sweet 16 where it will play the winner of No. 6 seed Gallia Academy and No. 8 seed Waverly in a regional semifinal slated Wednesday, May 27 at 2 p.m. at Philo High School. Gallia Academy and Waverly are scheduled to play Friday.

Playing in a steady mist and rain, John Glenn scored two runs in the first inning and gained the early momentum it never relinquished.

“There’s a lot of tradition in softball (at John Glenn),” said Muskies’ head coach Kyle Porter. “We kind of had an off-year last year, but three or four years ago we were in the Final 4. Hopefully, we can kind of ride their coattails and get hot at the right time.”

The Muskies pounded out 11 hits in the game and combined that with an outstanding pitching performance from standout Kendall Snider, who won her 17th game on the season in 20 outings. Snider struck out 16 Beaver Local batters and walked just two in earning the complete-game triumph on a four-hitter.

John Glenn struck for two runs in the first inning off Beaver Local pitcher Addie Thurik, who went all seven innings in the setback while striking out five and walking just one batter.

The Muskies took their early 2-0 advantage with power hitter Josilyn Stashonsky hit a two-RBI single to right. Stashonsky also had a single and a walk in the contest.

“Josilyn Stashonsky is hitting the ball really hard,” said Porter. “We’ve kind of waited on that and she’s kind of been picking up the steam, so she’s hitting the ball really hard and our base running is really good.”

Beaver Local had its chances against the Muskies, but the Beavers stranded six runners in scoring position.

“We just couldn’t hit the ball or we left too many people on the bases when we did hit the ball,” said Cashdollar.

Leading the Beaver Local offense in the game were Ciara Call (triple, single), Thurik (single) and Brenna Jones (single).

John Glenn extended its lead to 5-0 in the second frame when it combined three hits with a Beaver Local error to plate three runs.

“If we play like we did tonight we’re just about ready to play anybody,” said the John Glenn head coach.

The Muskies padded their lead to 8-0 with a three-run fifth-inning with the big offensive blow occurring on a two-RBI single to left off the bat of Estelle Matheny.

John Glenn closed the scoring with a solo run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI single to left by Bella Daniels.

“If we can start putting the ball in play we’re going to be a little dangerous,” said Porter of future tourney games.

Meanwhile, Beaver Local’s Cashdollar knows his team has a golden opportunity to build off their many accomplishments they attained this season with a youthful squad.

“We’ve got a very good team,” said the Beaver Local head coach. “We’re going to be very good the next several years.”

JG: 2-3-0-0-3-0-1 –9-11-0

BL: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0 — 0-4-3