INDIANS GOING BACK TO DISTRICTS

SALINEVILLE OH- The Southern Local softball team is making district tournaments a habit, clinching their spot for the second year in a row with a heart-stopping 6-5 win in 12 innings over East Canton. This victory not only marked their second consecutive Division IV sectional title but also their second triumph over the Hornets in just under a week, having previously bested them 12-7.

Now standing at a 10-7 record, Southern is set to face the sixth-seeded Southington in the Dalton district semifinals at 5 p.m. Monday, looking to avenge last year’s 10-0 semifinal loss.

Alexis Ensinger was a workhorse in the circle, hurling 176 pitches across the complete game, fanning 13, and allowing no walks. Makenna Jones was a standout at the plate, knocking three hits, driving in two runs, and scoring two herself.

The drama peaked in the 12th inning when Southern pushed across three runs to secure a 6-3 lead, sparked by Gianna Pecorelli’s leadoff single and a crucial two-run single by Jones. A defensive mishap later allowed Jones to dash home, widening the gap.

East Canton nearly scripted a comeback in their half of the 12th, slicing the deficit to just one run, but Ensinger closed it out with her 13th strikeout.

The game had its twists and turns earlier too, with Southern initially jumping ahead 3-0 in the second inning, thanks to a mix of errors and walks by East Canton. However, the Hornets clawed back in the third, leveling the score at 3-3 following a series of hits, including a key two-run single by Hannah Spencer.

Meira Rice, despite a gritty 153-pitch outing for East Canton that included eight strikeouts, took the loss.

With their eyes now set on the next challenge, Southern Local isn’t slowing down. They’re back in action today, hosting Beaver Local at 5 p.m., riding the momentum of their playoff success.