ELM GROVE — It is a very rare occasion when the game-winning run comes on the game’s first pitch. However, such was the case Tuesday afternoon on Ben’s Field at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex.

Steubenville’s senior standout Sadie Edwards launched a laser over the dead centerfield fence on the game’s opening pitch. That proved to be the lone run in the contest as the Big Red edged Wheeling Central in a tremendous pitching duel.

Steubenville’s Isabella Cadile made that lone run stand up as she was simply brilliant from the circle. She struck out nine, walked none and allowed just two hits. She needed just 84 pitches to script her masterpiece.

“I had command of all my pitches tonight,” Cadile said. “I had good control. It was an exciting game. I am happy we beat such a good team,”

Cadile’s superb performance overshadowed an outstanding hurling effort from Central’s Olivia Kiaski. The Lady Knight ace surrendered just five hits, striking out two while walking just one.

“Isabella was tremendous tonight. She was never in trouble,” first-year head coach April Minniefield said. “Making it even nicer is she reached the 200 career strikeout mark tonight, and she is only a sophomore.

“Sadie showed again tonight why she is an Akron University commit. She hit two bombs tonight,” she added. “This was a big win for us after a couple of tough losses. Wheeling Central is a really good team.”

Edwards also doubled off the left centerfield wall.

Steubenville improved to 12-6. Big Red was coming off a loss to University in the OVAC 5A Tournament semifinals Saturday.

Wheeling Central dropped to 16-6 on the season. The Lady Knights are scheduled to visit Bridgeport (W.Va.) this afternoon.

“Give their pitcher a ton of credit. She pitched a super game,” Wheeling Central head coach Buck Davidson said. “But even at that, we need to find out why we haven’t hit lately. We should be better than this.

“But it was an exciting game and well-played by both teams,” he added. “It came down to one pitch. Edwards is a very good player.”

Central standout catcher Sydney Hupp delivered Central’s first hit with a lined shot up the middle to open the third inning. However, Cadile retired the next three batters on a strikeout and two ground balls.

Sophomore slugger Chloe Groome produced the hosts’ only other hit with a two-out single in the seventh inning. Cadile sealed the deal via a strikeout.

In addition to Edwards’ two hits, Big Red got singles from Sophia Zorne, Gena Smith and Briella Guntrum.

Neither team committed an error.