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photo by: Kim North

Steubenville third baseman Gia Bowman throws to first base for an out during WednesdayÀÏ˾»úÖ±²¥™s OVAC Tom Bechtel Class 5A semifinal loss to Morgantown, 7-1, on BenÀÏ˾»úÖ±²¥™s Field at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Ballfields.

ELM GROVE – Steubenville’s reign as OVAC Tom Bechtel Class 5A softball champions lasted just one year.

Top-seeded Big Red (12-6) was derailed, 7-1, by fourth-seeded Morgantown Wednesday on Ben’s Field at the J.B. Chambers I-4370 Ballparks.

“We just didn’t come ready to play today. That’s my fault. I’m the head coach,” Steubenville’s Gus DiMarzio said. “I didn’t think we would play like that, but it all comes down to the guy that prepares you to play, and I am that guy.

“This is the second day in a row that we haven’t played real well,” he added. “That’s two days in a row that I have re-evaluate myself.”

Morgantown (14-7) scored once in the top of the first as Anne Robinson drew a leadoff walk, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Peterson and took third on a wild pitch.

With two outs, left-handed hitting Micah Wilson sliced a double down the left field line as Robinson scored easily.

Big Red loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning on a pair of walks and a hit batter, but the Mohigans’ Maddie Wisman induced a comebacker to wiggle her way out of trouble unscathed.

Liz Alsop doubled to deep center with two outs in the third and came around when Wilson singled to right for a 2-0 reading.

Steubenville cut the deficit in half in the home half of the third. Sena Smith was plunked with a pitch leading off. She was caught stealing second, however, the call was overruled when another umpire called obstruction of the Big Red infielder. With one out, Sadie Edwards singled up the middle as Smith raced home. Edwards took second on the throw home, marking the last time had a runner that far. Sagan Smarrella walked but Wisman once again pitched her way out of the jam.

Emma Lyons walked with two outs in the fourth; Smarrella was safe on an error in the fifth; and Emily Tuttle reached on an infield single in the sixth. However, pinch runner Addy Myer was erased on an inning-ending 1-6-3 double play turned by the Hawks.

Wisman retired the side in order in the seventh.

Morgantown will now face No. 2 John Marshall on Friday at Ben’s Field. The time will be announced Thursday.