Kauffman is perfect as Tigers open with rout

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The same formula that led West Liberty-Salem’s softball team to an undefeated regular season worked to perfection again Wednesday in the Tigers’ Division III sectional tournament opener.

The Tigers received a perfect game from standout senior pitcher Emily Kauffman and a potent offense came up with two home runs to lead host WL-Salem to a 10-0 five-inning rout of Preble Shawnee.

Top-seeded WL-Salem, now 27-0 on the season, advances to play the winner of today’s game between Dixie and Anna at 3 p.m. Friday at Clayton Northmont.

“It felt good to get that first win,” said WL-Salem head coach Lanay Detwiler. “We are just trying to take it one game at a time. We have one win under our belt and now we are ready to move on to the next one.”

Kauffman recorded eight strikeouts. It was her 11th shutout of the season and her season record now stands at 22-0.

“Emily just controlled the batters,” said Detwiler.

Devon Woodruff belted a grand slam home run and Haleigh Hickenbottom was 2-3 with a home run and two RBI to power the Tigers at the plate. Brittany Mayse chipped in with a double.

After a scoreless first inning, the Tigers took control with a seven-run outburst in the second inning.

“We were able to get some girls on base and then Devon came up with her grand slam,” said Detwiler. “We got some big hits when we needed them.”

WL-Salem went on to score another run in the fourth and two more in the fifth.

WL-SALEM 10 — PREBLE SHAWNEE 0 (five innings)
Arrows 000 00 — 0 0 1 — Tigers 070 12 — 10 6 0
Manning and Shay; Kauffman and Hickenbottom. WP—Kauffman; LP—Manning.

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