Ava Wohnhas, senior finds the sweet spot and send the ball over the center field fence

River rode the bat and the arm of Ava Wohnhas on Monday, May 11, in Sardis to a 13-3 victory over visiting Toronto in an Ohio Division V1, East 2 opening round sectional tournament softball game. The Lady Pilots took an early second inning lead and cruised the rest of the way to pick up their 20th win of the season against just seven losses.

The Pilots came into the contest as the number three seed while the Red Knights were seeded No. 7 and in the second inning the home team demonstrated why they have 20 wins. Wohnhas a senior All-State candidate and Marietta College recruit led the way in a nine run second inning with a grand slam to up her school record single season home run output to 16.

She also stood out on the mound getting the win in a mercy rule five inning game. She went the whole game getting five strikeouts, with no walks, and giving up just six hits.

She received plenty of help along the way as freshman Cyla Jeffers added a pair of singles to drive in three runs, while Jayda Kinny-Blair drilled a double and addenda single for two RBI’s. Sophomores, Bri Wiley singled in a pair of runs, and Mallarie Maddy doubled in two runs.

Toronto fell to 12-14 with the loss, they were led by an RBI double from Lily Sapp, while Jaylee Brown and Hailey Bodnar each had a double.

In the top of the first inning, the Red Knights first batter came up against senior Ava Wohnhas pitching skills. Ava struck out the first two batters up to the plate. That was followed by a batter hitting a double, another hit a single and then another single. This surprising batting strength advanced two runners home. The sixth batter was quickly struck out.’

With the Pilot’s up to bat in the bottom of the inning Carlee Winkler walked to lead off the inning. Jachelle Hill then laid down a bunt making it to first, while advancing Winkler to second. Another batter walked, loading the bases. Alyvia Bayers hit a pop fly to center for an out. Cyla Jeffers drove a strong ball into left field bringing two runs home. Mallarie Maddy was walked by the pitcher once again loading the bases. Ithaca Daugherty popped the out allowing for two Pilot outs. Emmalynn Pittman then walked, again loading the bases. This brought up the top of the line up and Winkler struck out. Ending the inning with River up 4-2.

The Red Knights returned to bat in the top of the second and scored a run, but River went back to work in the bottom of the inning. With one out Ava Wohnhas came up to bat and walked. Alyvia Bayes also walked. With two runners on base Cyla Jeffers hit the ball into left field allowing Ava to come home. Mallarie Maddy doubled bringing Jeffers home. Brianna Wiley hit a nice ball and made it to first, while driving Maddy home. Jayda Kinney-Blair hit a double, moving a base runner home. Pittman walked and Carlee Winkler returned to the top-of-the-line up, hitting a ball and making it to first, which brought home another runner. Jachelle Hill returned to bat with a new pitcher on the mound. The pitcher, having trouble getting the ball over home plate, quickly walked the batter. Ava Wohnhas came to bat, after a swing on a pitch, she made a solid connection on the ball, driving it over the far center field fence. All three bases came home on the hit and Ava circled the bases bringing herself home, welcomed by the entire team. A grand slam which sealed the fate of Toronto. At that point in the bottom of the second, the score was 3 Toronto and 13 Pilots. That was the score until the middle of the fifth when the game was ended with a mercy call by umpires. With the win, the Lady River Pilots stand at 20 wins for the 2026 season. As for River’s legendary Coach, David White, this was his 330 career win. Good job Lady Pilots and Coach White. The next playoff game for the pilots will be at Caldwell Tuesday May 19th.