Miller’s 2-out Blast Lifts Dukes to Season Opening 4-3 Victory over Louisville

Written By Derek Dimit

Louisville, OH- Two prominent Stark County Softball programs met on the diamond Friday evening in Louisville. Battling the elements, the Marlington Dukes opened their 2025 campaign with a hard fought 4-3 victory over the Louisville Leopards. In a game that more than lived up to the billing, it was a heroic effort by Dukes Sophomore Chelsea Miller that proved to be the difference late.

The scoring got started in the top of the 3rd when Marlington Senior and Walsh University commit Maria Walder sent a screamer to the fence in right center for a triple. She scampered home on a Chelsea Miller fielders choice ground out. In the bottom half of the 3rd, the Leopards answered back in a big way when Sophomore Bailee Griffith ripped a 2 RBI double to left center to plate Destiny Hanze and Kaitlin Twinem.

It was Twinem who extended the Leopard lead in the bottom of the 5th with a leadoff, first pitch home run to left. With a 3-1 lead, and Taylor Schneider dealing from the center of the diamond, it looked like the Leopards were well on their way to their second victory on the young season.

The Dukes, however, had other plans as they exhibited supreme plate discipline in the top half of the 6th, loading the bases on three consecutive walks. Schneider was able to keep her composure and strike out the next two Dukes, looking to pull off a great escape. It took some sneaky base running to not let the threat go completely fruitless on the Dukes part. With 2 down, Marlington head coach Sarah Falkner put her fleet footed center fielder in motion on a toss back to the pitcher from the catcher, scampering home before the Leopards knew what was happening. Schnieder was able to escape with no further damage, clinging to a one run lead as the game headed to the home half of the 6th.

A lead off single in the bottom of the 6th didn’t amount to anything for the Leopards, thanks to an acrobatic catch to end the inning by Miller. The Dukes came to the plate down 3-2 with only 3 outs left to change their fate. Schnieder made quick work of the first two Dukes to the plate before lead off hitter Maria Walder worked a walk. Up to the dish came Chelsea Miller, fresh off her second ‘web gem’ of the game. Miller turned a 1-0 offering into a 2-run, opposite field home run to give the Dukes a 4-3 lead. It would be enough to secure the first win of the Sarah Falkner era of Dukes softball.

Derek Dimit
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