Chillicothe Softball upsets Jackson to earn Co-FAC Title

Chillicothe rallied late to pick up a 7-5 road win over Jackson on Wednesday, using a big sixth inning to secure the victory and a share of the FAC softball title.

Photo by Denielle Rittinger

Jackson controlled much of the game early, building a 5-1 lead heading into the sixth inning; however, the Lady Cavaliers responded with a six-run burst in the top of the sixth to flip the momentum and take the lead for good. 

Chillicothe’s offense produced timely hitting throughout the lineup, capitalizing on opportunities in the late innings to complete the comeback.

The Lady Cavaliers finished with seven runs in the contest, overcoming Jackson’s early advantage.

Chillicothe sophomore second baseman Josie Huddleston went 2-for-4, scored 2 runs, and drove in 1 RBI, while also recording the team’s only extra-base hit (a triple). Senior short stop Vivian Morgan went 2-for-3 and scored a run. It was sophomore Kiera Blankenship's liner up the middle in the 6th inning that drove in two runs for CHS to take the late lead.

Chillicothe junior C.J. Rittinger went the distance for the Lady Cavaliers, pitching all seven innings while allowing five runs (just three earned) on six hits. Rittinger has verbally committed to continue her education and softball career at the University of Akron, a Division 1 college.

With the win, Chillicothe improved to (19-3) on the season while also ending Jackson’s seven-game winning streak.

Chillicothe next plays Portsmouth Notre Dame at home on Monday.