Oran wins its first district title

~ The Eagles scored two unearned runs in the fifth to beat Naylor.

ORAN -- They may have been unearned runs, but Oran didn't care.

The Eagles rallied for two runs in the fifth inning and held on to knock off Naylor 2-1 in their Class 1 District 1 championship game Saturday.

"This is really big, especially since it's our first year of district play," Oran coach Sara Heisserer said.

A pair of unearned runs in the fifth allowed Oran to rally past Naylor and win its first district championship. The Eagles (16-2) will host Miller (24-2), which finished second in the state last season, in the sectional playoff Wednesday.

Sophomore pitcher Chelsea Lane kept Oran in check and off the scoreboard through the first four innings, but the Eagles scored both runs with two outs in the fifth.

Claire Seyer reached on an error, advancing to second on a wild throw and leadoff hitter Jodi Urhahn followed with a bunt single.

"Chelsea knows she got herself in a couple of jams, but she pitched herself out of most of them," Naylor coach Stephana Deckard said.

Taylor Irwin's grounder to the left side reached the outfield grass, where shortstop Hailee Deckard met it and threw to first all in one motion. Her throw missed the mark and both runners scored, giving Oran a 2-1 lead.

"Most shortstops wouldn't have even gotten to that ball," coach Deckard said. "Even though I know it counts as an error against her, it's amazing that she was able to get to where she could get it."

Naylor committed four errors but Lane got out of jams with strikeouts, finishing with nine.

Oran committed just one error and pitcher Callie Kielhofner gave up three hits, one walk and struck out five.

Lane allowed only two hits, including an infield single to Alyson Seyer to start the sixth inning, and also pitched out of a second-inning jam after a leadoff walk. Naylor retired nine straight until Urhahn started the fifth-inning rally.

Naylor took the lead in the fourth, when Deckard led off with an infield single. She stole second and came around to score on a bunt single by Lane that was misplayed by Oran.

Keilhofner got ground balls to first and short to end the inning as Naylor stranded one of its three runners.

"The best moment, obviously, was when our run came in," coach Deckard said. "When we let down and let them score two runs, it was hard for all the girls."