High school softball: Elyria beats Vermilion in rain-shortened slugfest

ELYRIA — In a game that was filled with offense, the Elyria Pioneers, on the back of freshman pitcher Karli Niemeyer, slugged their way to a 12-6 rain-shortened victory over the Vermilion Sailors on Saturday afternoon. Niemeyer went 6 2/3 innings, allowing 12 hits, six runs (four earned) with seven strikeouts and no walks. "My curveball and my change-up were my best pitches today," Niemeyer said. "I don't really think when I am on the mound ... I am in my own headspace." Vermilion got on the board early as junior first baseman Emma Gebhardt smoked a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. Elyria responded as two runners scored on wild pitches in the bottom of the second. The Pioneers took a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the third as freshman Hannah Quayle knocked in a run with an RBI single, freshman Lexi Poulus drove in two with an RBI single and freshman Braylee Beckham came home on a Vermilion error. Beckham and Quayle combined for another three RBIs in the bottom of the fourth as Elyria opened a 9-2 lead. Vermilion clawed back in the top of the sixth as Maddie Pinter and Myah Perry drove in runs with a pair of RBI singles to make it 9-4. Elyria quickly responded in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore JaNaiya Pierce, Beckham and Poulus drove in runs as the Pioneers went up 12-4. Vermilion scored two in the top of the seventh as Emma Gawry and Gebhardt drove in runs, but the rain ultimately picked up too hard as the game was called with two outs. Lilly Porter started on the mound for Vermilion. The righty went six innings, allowing 12 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits, with four strikeouts and two walks. "I saw a lot of control from her," Vermilion coach Tony Larizza said. "We played a doubleheader (Friday), and I was worried she could be tired. Her biggest issue is spotting, and I thought she did very well with that today. I am proud of her." Leading Vermilion on the offensive side was Gawry, who went 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Gebhardt, Pinter and Perry each registered a multi-hit game. As for Elyria, Quayle had a huge offensive game as she went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. "I was waiting for my pitch because it was a little slower, so when I saw my pitch I was able to make good contact," Quayle said. Freshmen Camille Dunlap, Beckham and Poulus also had big days at the plate, combining for eight hits and six RBIs. "We were aggressive in the strike zone," Elyria coach Keenan Williams said. "Waiting back on the ball and making the adjustment to the pitcher was key today." Elyria (8-4) will face Olmsted Falls on Monday, while Vermilion (1-10) will travel to Huron on Monday. Contact Michael Bodzenta at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.