GRADISHAR TIES STATE RECORD IN CHAMPION TUNE UP

BRECKSVILLE OH- The Champion Golden Flashes built a 4-run lead early in the game and barely clung on for a 4-3 win over the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees on Monday. The Bees rallied late, narrowing the gap with a double and a ground out that pushed runs across the plate.

Gabrielle Gradishar was on fire, fanning 16 batters across seven innings. Despite giving up just two hits and three runs, she maintained control, walking only three in a dominant outing. Not only did she control the game from the mound, but Gradishar also made history at the plate, blasting her 23rd home run of the season to left field in the first inning, tying the state record for home runs in a single season.

The Golden Flashes struck first, jumping out to a lead in the opening frame with Gradishar’s record-tying homer and a ground out by Zoe Palette that brought in another run. A costly error by the Bees in the second widened Champion’s lead to 3-0.

An additional run in the third, again following a Bees error, put the Golden Flashes up 4-0, setting the stage for the late-game drama.

Anna Wise took the hard-luck loss for the Bees, allowing four runs—only two earned—over six and a third innings, along with striking out seven without issuing a walk.

At the plate, Sam Strock, Addison Warzala, and Gradishar each snagged hits for the Golden Flashes, with Gradishar and Palette chipping in RBIs.

Zoe Parks was the standout for the Bees, driving in two of their three runs and going 2-for-3 on the day, putting up a strong fight in the middle of the lineup.

Looking ahead, the Golden Flashes are set to face  Norwayne this Wednesday in the Regional Semifinals.