Super sophomores spark Watkins Memorial softball in district title repeat

Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate
·4 min read

PICKERINGTON — They're sophomores in name only.

With their freshmen year under their belts during a state runnerup finish, Watkins Memorial pitcher Carsyn Cassady and catcher Jordyn Wycuff are now seasoned veterans, and playing like it as the Warriors look primed to make another run at a state championship.

For the second consecutive game Friday, Wycuff slammed two home runs, while Cassady struck out 13 in a five-hitter as second-seeded Watkins whipped 13th seed Westerville Central 9-1 in a successful defense of its Division I district championship.

"It's like she's hitting a basketball right now. She's can't miss," coach Mike Jellison said of Wycuff, who leads the Warriors (26-1) in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.547), home runs (10), RBI, stolen bases (24), on-base percentage and slugging percentage. "She deserves it. She's put in more time than anyone I've seen," Cassady said.

On Friday at Pickerington Central, Watkins started and finished strong against the Warhawks (19-6), who played the Warriors tough last year, and advanced to meet third-seeded Marysville (25-3) in the regional semifinals at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Centerburg.

The Warriors cranked up their patented running game, with Taylor Gerhardt leading off the first with a bunt single and going to second on an errant throw. She stole third, then Hannah Hunt walked and stole second. Wycuff delivered a sacrifice fly, just short of the center field fence, Cassady helped her cause with an RBI single, McKayla Jellison walked and Alyssa Haynes had another sacrifice fly. Summer Newsom added a run-scoring hit and Watkins quickly led 4-0.

Watkins Memorial players hoist up the district championship trophy as they celebrate a 9-1 win over Westerville Central in a Division I district final game May 20 at Pickerington High School Central.
Watkins Memorial players hoist up the district championship trophy as they celebrate a 9-1 win over Westerville Central in a Division I district final game May 20 at Pickerington High School Central.

"It's so fun, going crazy on the bases," Cassady said. "Creating chaos for the other team."

Central's crafty lefty Addie Ransopher kept the Warriors in check the next three innings, and the Warhawks pulled within 4-1 in the third on Caitlin Campagna's solo home run. They put runners on first and third, but Kate Yaussy popped out to short, starting a string of 11 consecutive batters retired by Cassady.

Watkins Memorial's Carsyn Cassady delivers a pitch during a Division I district final game against Westerville Central on May 20 at Pickerington High School Central.
Watkins Memorial's Carsyn Cassady delivers a pitch during a Division I district final game against Westerville Central on May 20 at Pickerington High School Central.

"She got all kinds of popups. She really worked on her off speed and developed a changeup. She effectively moved it around and kept them off-balance," coach Jellison said. "We beat them 10-9 last year. They led most of the game and we had to come from behind."

"Everything was working. Carsyn is an amazing pitcher, and an amazing friend," Wycuff said. "Her change was really good, and she worked really hard on her riseball in the off season."

Cassady said she has been working on the riseball for about a year and a half.

"It's gotten a lot better," she said. "Today, my curve was very powerful, and the changeup was very good, Last year, I was young, and got tired. This year, I'm taller and stronger, and have worked out a lot to get where I am."

Watkins Memorial's Hannah Hunt throws out a Westerville Central baserunner at first during a Division I district final game May 20 at Pickerington High School Central.
Watkins Memorial's Hannah Hunt throws out a Westerville Central baserunner at first during a Division I district final game May 20 at Pickerington High School Central.

Watkins finally solved Ransopher in the fifth, when Wycuff socked a leadoff homer to left center into a stiff breeze. Cassady singled, Haynes sacrificed pinch runner Ema Christensen to second and she scored on Newsom's second RBI single, making it 6-1. In the sixth, Gerhardt had another bunt single, stole second and rode home on Hannah Hunt's double to left center. The catcher threw the ball into left field on Hunt's steal of third for another run, then Wycuff slugged another run home to left center for the 9-1 cushion.

"We got off to a great start in the first inning. We had a game plan, and executed it very well," coach Jellison said. "Their pitcher made an adjustment and started coming in, and we made an adjustment and started hitting her again."

Watkins Memorial's Carsyn Cassady, left, is swarmed by teammates as they celebrate a 9-1 victory over Westerville Central in a Division I district final game May 20 at Pickerington High School Central.
Watkins Memorial's Carsyn Cassady, left, is swarmed by teammates as they celebrate a 9-1 victory over Westerville Central in a Division I district final game May 20 at Pickerington High School Central.

Wycuff thinks she knows the reason for her recent power surge.

"Really, it's the energy and support of my team in the dugout," she said. "And my confidence. I just trust myself."

The Warriors haven't missed a beat despite losing senior All-Ohio catcher Madison Jellison for the season with a knee injury.

"Obviously, we lost a very good player," Cassady said. "But we've proven we can still do this."

dweidig@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Super sophomores spark Watkins Memorial in district title repeat