[Stardust]

Walton-Verona steamrolled its way into the 32nd District finals on Monday for the fourth year in a row with a 13-3 victory over Williamstown in the semifinals at Simon Kenton.

Two-time defending champion Walton-Verona (27-9) had 12 hits, three for extra bases against the Demons (9-20). Sophomore pitcher Hannah Thacker struck out eight and became the first 20-game winner in program history.

The Bearcats scored seven runs in the third inning and four in the fourth. Catcher Kelsey Mosier ended it in the fifth with a walk-off, run-scoring double to the wall in center field.

“I was just waiting on the pitch and I got it deep and swung at it,” said Mosier. “We’re all starting to hit better, ever since Owen County.”

The Bearcats didn’t want the disappointing loss to Owen County in the 8th Region All “A” final to be reenforced by negatives. After the tournament, they said they took ownership of a hitting issue and worked overtime to correct it.

“We got into a funk mid-season and it lagged a good while and the girls were down. But we had five seniors help us pull out of it,” Walton-Verona coach John Anderson said.

Helping to lead the resurgence has been senior center fielder Jessica Gregg, who went 4-for-4 against Williamstown with a triple and two RBI.

Senior pitcher/shortstop Jenalee Ginn and second baseman Kirstin Anderson have provided essential leadership. The Bearcats’ depth is good enough to overcome problems, and they developed a new one Monday. Anderson suffered an ankle injury on a play in the field near second base. She is doubtful for Wednesday’s 6 p.m. final against Simon Kenton.http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...305210131/