AUSTINTOWN WALKS OFF INTO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

ASHTABULA OH- In the fifth meeting of the summer between Poland and Austintown, it once again came down to the wire. With arguably the most that has been on the line in the matchup to this point, Austintown got a walk off 5-4 victory in extra innings.  The win sends Austintown straight to the state championship game.

It was Bella Mattern put on the cape for her team knocking in the game winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning.  Mattern was 1-4 on the day. Mila Hamley went 1-4 with 2 RBI.  Ava Fisher knocked in the last RBI of the day for Austintown going 1-3 with a walk, and a run scored.  Gianna Hoops scored 2 runs with a pair of walks.

Hamley pitched 5 innings of shutout softball and took the win. She gave up 0 hits and struck out 14.  Annabel Mikesell pitched 3 innings giving up 0 earned runs on 3 hits, and striking out 7.

Audrina Jablonski went 1-4 for Poland with a run scored, and a RBI.  Aly Blinsky went 1-3 with a run scored, and a walk. Sydney MacDonald also walked for Poland, along with Kilaney Berendt, who crossed the plate once.

Blinsky pitched 4 strong innings for Poland. She gave up 3 earned runs on 1 hit and struck out 6. MacDonald went 3.1 IP and gave up 1 run on 2 hits, while striking out 6.

Poland will play in a loser’s bracket game on Tuesday night at 6:00 to try and set up a rematch with Austintown in a winner take all championship game on Wednesday.