Apr. 11—ELIDA — Elida's Lilly Sifrit was in the 'zone' during Monday's non-league softball game against Bluffton.
Sifrit was not thinking about throwing a no-hitter or perfect game. The sophomore left-hander was focused on retiring each Bluffton batter that came to the plate.
And she did just that.
Sifrit struck out 11 of the 15 batters she faced and retired the other four, as Elida run-ruled Bluffton 15-0 in five innings at Dorothy Edwards Field.
Elida pounded 15 base hits off Bluffton pitching.
For the game, Bluffton did not record a base hit or have a baserunner.
Sifrit admitted that she was not fully aware of what was unfolding on Monday.
"I didn't know (about the perfect game) until it was over. I don't think anybody else knew it either, other than the coaches," she said with a grin.
Elida coach Hillary Overholt said she avoided talking to Sifrit during Monday's game.
"She (Sifrit) does a great job out there. She doesn't get ruffled. We're really happy about her throwing a perfect game. That's something really special. (Assistant coach) Mike (Eilerman) and I have a superstition that we don't say anything about a perfect game, even to each other, until it's over. So, it was the top of the fifth before anybody mentioned it, and she (Sifrit) was already out on the field," she said with a smile.
Sifrit was in total command of her pitches on Monday. She primarily stayed with her fastball and curveball and threw 59 pitches in her five innings of work.
"That was what I stuck with," Sifrit said. "My change-up wasn't too good today, and they weren't touching the fastball and curveball. So, I just stuck with it and I had good defense behind me."
Sifrit helped her own cause by smacking a home run to deep centerfield to lead off the second inning. For the game, Sifrit was 3 for 3 with a triple, home run and two RBI.
In the fourth inning and with bases loaded, Elida's Abby Daugherty hit a shot over the leftfield fence for a grand slam.
Also in the fourth, Elida's Kayla Hunter blasted the ball over the centerfield fence for a solo home run. The Bulldogs scored seven runs in the fourth.
"Our bats really came alive tonight," Overholt said. "We had three home runs with one grand slam, which is awesome. And that's not taking into account all of the singles and doubles that we got. So, I'm very happy with how our girls played today."
Strong starters
—Addison Fisher of Wapakoneta struck out seven hitters during a five-inning complete game against Ottawa-Glandorf.
—Claire Brinkman tossed a one-hitter for Delphos Jefferson in a 22-0 win over Ottoville. Brinkman also went six innings and gave up just two hits against Columbus Grove.
—Adyson Van De Keere recorded 15 strikeouts to lead St. Marys to a 3-0 win over Waynesfield-Goshen.
—Ila Hughes tossed a six-inning complete game and struck out 10 batters in Lincolnview's 10-0 win over Crestview.
Standout sluggers
—Morgan Verhoff's four-hit game helped Miller City get a one-run victory over Crestview.
—Dakota Thornell had four hits and drove in six runs for Crestview in a 17-14 loss to Shawnee.
—Kacey Carroll recorded a four-hit game with four RBI in Shawnee's win over Crestview. Carroll also drove in four runs against Ottoville.
—Kaylee Mollenkopf hit a double, three singles and scored four times for Crestview against Shawnee.
—Claire Brinkman went 3 for 5 with six runs batted in during Delphos Jefferson's 22-0 win over Ottoville.
—Megan Kerner recorded four hits, drove in four runs and scored four times for Delphos Jefferson against Ottoville.
—Tess Griffith paced Ada with five ...
