Sara Reid efficiently pitches Central City to the next regional softball round

SPRINGVILLE — Sara Reid has had bigger strikeout games.

As far as efficiency goes, this one was tough to top.

Reid pitched a two-hit shutout, and Central City manufactured a third-inning tally to edge Springville, 1-0, in a Class 1A softball regional quarterfinal Wednesday night at Binley Field.

“She was outstanding,” Wildcats Coach Jim Ashley said.

Indeed she was.

A junior, Reid (29-6) needed only 65 pitches (51 strikes) to navigate through this one. She entered with 320 strikeouts this season, but recorded just five Wednesday.

Two of them, though, accounted for the game’s final two outs.

“My rise-curve was really working for me,” Reid said. “Usually the straight rise is best, but I added the curve and made it work tonight.”

Central City (33-9) won its 22nd straight game and will play at fourth-ranked Lisbon (33-8) in a regional semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday.

Both teams finished with two hits, and the Wildcats scored the game’s lone tally without the benefit of a hit.

Hannah Kramer was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the third, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. She moved to third on a groundout, then beat the throw home on Bailie Weber’s fly ball to center field.

The Wildcats had four more runners in scoring position, but couldn’t add an insurance run. Turned out, it wasn’t necessary.

Raid faced just 23 batters, including the minimum 18 through the first six innings. She induced 12 groundouts and three flyouts to go with the five strikeouts.

Springville (23-13) managed just one baserunner through six innings; Morgan Nachazel singled to lead off the bottom of the third, moved to second on Savannah Nealman’s sacrifice bunt but was caught stealing at third.

The Orioles had runners at the corners with one out in the seventh, but Reid struck out the last two.

“I think I’ve been known for having composure,” Reid said. “I just take a deep breath and pitch my pitch. I don’t let anything faze me.”

Central City won the two regular-season meetings, 4-0 and 2-0, July 1.

“We did a lot better job putting the ball in play tonight,” Springville Coach Joe Martin said. “We had a shot in the seventh, the top of the order. That’s right where we wanted to be.

“But Sara showed why she’s one of the best pitchers in the state.”

CENTRAL CITY 1, SPRINGVILLE 0

Class 1A Regional Quarterfinal, at Springville

Central City 001 000 0 -- 1 2 0

Springville 000 000 0 -- 0 2 2

Sara Reid and Bailie Weber. Libby Moore and Grace Matus. W -- Reid (29-6). L -- Moore (13-11).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com