CHAMPION GRABS A PAIR OF WINS AT PREBIS MEMORIAL

NORTH RIDGEVILLE OH- It was a very quick turnaround for Champion after they dropped a hard fought matchup with Austintown Fitch on Friday night. They had get up early Saturday morning and head down to Victory Park in North Ridgeville to take part in the Prebis Memorial.  Champion wasn’t about to let a loss get them down, they came right back in the morning ready to go. The Flashes picked up two wins on the day 8-7 over Whitmer in 8 innings, and 8-2 over Evergreen.

In the first game Champion got started early and often. The sprung from the gates with a 5 run first inning.  Abigail Meadors knocked in the first run of the game after back to back singles to start the first inning. Addie Warzala followed her up with a 2 RBI double. Maddie Zeigler, and Maddie Slyvester both drove in runs to make it a 5 run inning.  However after that start, Champion’s offense went silent for most of the game. They’d see Whitmer slowly but surely work their way back in the game. The Panthers would eventually tie the game 5-5 in the 4th, and then take the 6-5 lead in the 6th.

Being down might have been just what the Flashes bars needed to wake back up. One half inning later, Gabby Gradishar launched her 11th home run of the season to tie the game at 6-6.  The game would find its way in to extras. In the top of the 8th Whitmer would once again put Champion’s back to the wall taking a 7-6 lead.  The Flashes would get right back to it. Down to their last out, Gradishar singled, and Morgan Davis eventually doubled her in. Then Meadors ended the contest with a RBI single to walk off the game 8-7.

Meadors would take that momentum into game 2 as she got the start in the circle and pitched a dominating game.  The Flashes offenses struck for another 8 in another win 8-2.  Meadors struck out 8 in her 7 innings pitched and only gave up 2 earned runs.  At the plate Meadors knocked in another 3 RBI, bringing her total to 6 on the day, going 6-9 in the two games.  Gradishar continued to be productive as she went 3-4 with 2 RBI. Hailey Householder and Olivia Gray also brought in runs in game 2.

Champion will get back to MVAC play on Tuesday as they travel to Crestview.  First pitch of that game is slated for 5:00.