Minford – The Green Lady Bobcats knew what was coming.

Friday, May 12, 2000

Minford – The Green Lady Bobcats knew what was coming. The Waterford Lady Wildcats never knew what hit them. The underdog Lady Bobcats knew they had a tough task when they faced No. 5 ranked Waterford in the Division III district softball semifinals Thursday. What Waterford didn’t know was the Lady Bobcats weren’t intimidated.

As a result, Green whipped Waterford 3-2 to earn a trip to the district finals. The Lady Bobcats (8-6) play Wednesday at 5:30 pm. against the winner of Friday’s game between Adena and South Webster.

Jessica Butler pitched a four-hitter, Erika Bradley drove in two runs, and the Lady Bobcats defense shined in the upset win.

"That was an outstanding win," Green coach Jodi Armstrong said. "We knew about Waterford’s hitting potential, but our girls stepped it up on the defensive end, Jessica threw a great game, and we got clutch hitting."

Butler struck out six and walked one in going the distance. Green had only three hits off Waterford’s Cassie Harra, all in the first inning.

"As usual, Jessica had a lot of control and forced them to hit a lot of ground balls. She has a solid defense behind her and she uses it to her advantage," said Armstrong.

Green jumped in front with a pair of runs in the first inning.

Heidi McDavid singled, stole second, and Butler singled her to third. Butler then stole second and both runners came home on a two-out a single to center by Bradley.

Waterford’s Megan Smith tripled in the third and scored on an error to make it 2-1.

But the Lady Bobcats answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning without the aid of a hit.

Courtney Moore was safe on an error to short, stole second, and came home when Bradley reached on a two-out error.

Smith tripled in the fifth and came home on a ground out as Waterford got within 3-2 in the fifth, but Butler shut down the Lady Wildcats the rest of the way.

"That was an outstanding win. We’re hoping the excitement of this game carries over to next Wednesday," said Armstrong.

Waterford finishes the season 20-3.

Waterford 001 010 0 – 2 4 3

Green 201 000 x – 3 3 2

Cassie Harra and Kristen Hill. Jessica Butler and Jennifer Cline. W-Butler (6-K, 1-W). L-Harra (5-K, 1-W). 3B-Waterford: Megan Smith 2. Hitting-Waterford: Megan Smith 2-3, Ashlee Jones 1-3, Maddie Wainwright 1-3; Green: Heidi McDavid 1-3, Jessica Butler 1-3, Erika Bradley 1-3 (2 RBI).