TRENTON — Aubri Vandeventer took control from the first pitch and never let go.
The Monroe High School sophomore struck out nine and worked a complete game, carrying the Hornets to a 3-1 victory over Edgewood on Wednesday in a tightly played Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division matchup.
“That’s a great one — a really good softball game,” Monroe coach Tim Kellis said. “Our schedule’s been brutal, and to come out and get our first league win on the road — that’s big for these kids.”
Monroe (5-8, 1-4 SWBL Southwestern) broke through immediately. Sophomore Khloe Holmes laced a two-out double in the top of the first, and she came around to score on an errant throw when attempting to steal third to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.
That basically set the tone in what became a pitcher’s duel.
Vandeventer did the rest.
The right-hander allowed five hits and one run over seven innings, working around four walks while keeping Edgewood off balance throughout. Monroe added an error-free performance in the field.
“I feel like everything just felt nice and natural,” Vandeventer said. “It was a good day.”
The Hornets upped their lead when sophomore Rose Hensley drove in freshman Hannah Tribbey, who had reached on an error to start the fifth inning.
Edgewood senior leader Madison Ferrell singled in freshman pinch-runner Brooklynn Clemmons to pull the Cougars’ deficit to 2-1 in the bottom half of the fifth.
But the Hornets tacked on one more run for good measure in the top of the seventh, on Vandeventer’s single, which scored Tribbey on an Edgewood throwing error.
Despite powering through injuries, Monroe pieced together its most complete league performance of the season.
“Aubri’s a warrior,” Kellis said. “We’ve got kids playing out of position, we’ve got injuries, and she just stepped up and gave us a chance.”
Edgewood (8-8, 2-3) stayed within striking distance behind a solid performance in the circle by junior left-hander Jaycie Broshear, who allowed three runs — only one earned — and struck out four.
The Cougars were led at the plate by freshman right fielder Kendall Wingert, who collected two hits.
Edgewood first-year coach Valerie Hudepohl said her team continues to show growth despite the loss.
“We’re still working through some things,” Hudepohl said. “The girls are coachable, they’re willing — it’s just those little details that get us sometimes.”
Monroe’s victory reflects a team beginning to find its footing after a challenging start. The Hornets have played a road-heavy schedule and leaned on a young roster still developing chemistry.
“We told them early, you can’t worry about losses — you’ve got to keep getting better,” Kellis said. “Right now, the focus is building confidence and getting ready for the tournament.”
“I feel like our confidence was pretty low at the beginning,” Vandeventer added. “But wins like this help boost it a lot.”
Monroe and Edgewood face off again — this time at Monroe — on Thursday with a 5:30 p.m. first-pitch start.
