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After Two-Year Absence, Trenton Back In State Playoffs

Trenton is no stranger to district championship games. Winning one as easily as it did Saturday, however, was a welcome change.
The Lady Bulldogs, playing in their seventh-straight district championship game, clobbered Marceline 10-0 in six innings to claim their fourth district title in that span.
“A district championship was a goal the girls had at the beginning of the season,” Lady Bulldogs’ Head Coach John Cowling said. “I’m happy that a group that puts the team first and also gets along so well has been able to achieve so much this season.”
Trenton didn’t waste any time getting the offense going in the title game as Jaylen Neff led off with a double over the Marceline centerfielder’s head. Ainsley Tolson bunted Neff to third and she would score on an RBI ground out by Whitley Richman.
Trenton would strike with five more runs in the third. Two walks and an error loaded the bases for Daryian Otto, who cleared the bases with a triple over the right fielder’s head. Ally Ockenfels followed with an RBI single to score Tenna Roberts, running for Otto. Taylor Richman followed with an RBI single to score Ockenfels and Trenton led 6-0.
Mason Hooyman got into the act in the fifth inning, driving in Roberts to stretch the advantage to 7-0. Trenton then put the Lady Tigers away with a two-RBI single by Whitley Richman and a bases-loaded walk to Otto that scored Katerina Black.
Daryian Otto was the winning pitcher, allowing just two baserunners on the day, one on a walk in the first inning and the other on a single in the second. Otto struck out nine Lady Tigers in the contest.
Trenton’s offense scored just one run in its semifinal victory over Brookfield, but Saturday the Lady Bulldogs’ bats couldn’t be contained. Otto led the way at the plate, going two-for-three with four RBIs and Ockenfels and Jayden Roeder were both two-for-three as well. Neff was one-for-two with two runs scored and Whitley Richman, Taylor Richman, Salem Croy and Hooyman each added a hit to the team total of 11.
The district title was Trenton’s fourth and first since 2012. Trenton won back-to-back district championships in 2009 and 2010. The Lady Bulldogs will travel to Lathrop on Wednesday to face the Lady Mules in sectional action. Trenton and Lathrop squared off earlier in the season with the Lady Bulldogs picking up a 6-0 road win.
Trenton’s last trip to sectionals in 2012 ended with a 1-0 victory over the Benton Lady Cardinals. This year’s sectional match-up with Lathrop is set for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch.