Danville softball wins district championship

The losses had left a bittersweet taste in the mouth of Danville seniors Ruby Bartok, Addy Bocock and Taylor Meade.

The trio had been to three straight district final softball games but each time the Blue Devils were unable to get over the hump.

After Mother Nature delayed their opportunity an extra day, and with a little help from some underclassmen, the Devils were finally able to take a bite out of that district championship medal. Danville used two home runs to beat Cardington-Lincoln, 3-0, and win the Div. VI Central District championship on Saturday night at Berne Union.

The title was the first district championship since 2022 for a Danville squad that has gotten used to playing in the title game. The Devils have now been to 14 straight district title games, winning nine of them.

“We’re kind of spoiled here. We’ve been to 14 straight, and you’d think that would be good enough, but that wasn’t good enough for our girls. We were tired of just getting there and that (losing) wasn’t an option for them. Our goal was not to leave there with silver and they got it done,” said Danville coach Charlie Duncan. “This is the first group that hasn’t been able to win the big one. They’ve gotten there every time, just fell short. Their freshman year by one run, second year also lost by one run, and three last year. Our motto going into the season was challenge accepted. That was one of the challenges they had, and everybody responded.

“All three of them (seniors) have been with me. They’re four-year lettermen. They’ve been with us for the long haul. It’s a nice win for them.”

Bocock continued her incredible season on the mound, striking out 14 Pirate batters and allowing just four hits. She became the school’s leader in career strikeouts, so far picking off 635 opposing batters. She broke the record of 622 which was held by Shanna Mickley.

“We knew we were going to rely on her (Bocock) quite a bit and she’s had a huge season. We used her quite a bit her freshman year, but I think she only had like 28 strikeouts her freshman year. Since then, she’s been lights out. Over 100 strikeouts every year,” Duncan said. “This year has been dominant. We let her call her own pitches this season. Her and Morgan Hinkens, our freshman catcher, they’ve been clicking together and making things happen.”

Bocock also set the single-season mark earlier in the season. Mickley had the old record at 200 for a season, while Bocock now has 267 and the team is still playing.

“We’ve had some amazing ballplayers come through Danville and this might be one of the most special ones. She has that drive and that will to dominate the mound and the girls have her back. It’s impressive to watch,” Duncan said of his senior hurler.”

While Bocock was mowing down C-L batters, it was two underclassmen that lifted the Devils’ offense. Freshman Kaylee Martin smacked a solo home run in the third inning and sophomore Liz John cracked a two-run shot in the sixth for the Devils’ only runs.

John’s homer may have cracked open the game, but it was a defensive play that kept the Devils in the lead.

Danville (21-5) led 1-0 when the Pirates made a charge in the sixth. A double and a fielder’s choice put runners on second and third when second baseman Meade came through with the defensive play of the game, nabbing a hard liner headed for the gap to end the inning.

“Taylor wasn’t having the best time at the plate, and she was upset about that, but her defense was lights out. She made a couple put outs and that big one there. It was a line shot when they had runners on second and third. If that ball gets over her head, that’s a two-run swing there. That’s a huge play,” Duncan said.

Dalayna Parker then opened the bottom half of the inning with a walk and John blasted a two-run shot to give the Devils a little breathing room.

John also had a double on the night, while Martin also singled. Bocock, Bartok and freshman Morgan Hinkens all singled for Danville.

With the victory, Danville advances to the regional semifinals Wednesday where they will face Ada (24-4) at Bellefontaine at 5 p.m. The Bulldogs beat Colonel Crawford, 11-10, to win their district title.

“They’re (Ada) a young team, as well. Solid hitters. Their two pitchers are both freshman but throw well. Should be a nice matchup,” Duncan said.