IRISH HOLD OFF WARRIORS RALLY ADVANCE TO THE TITLE GAME

The Ursuline Irish advanced to the Youngstown district championship on Tuesday night with a 9-7 win over West Branch

Ursuline jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first with extra-base hits by Julia Nutter and Emily Holland.

West Branch answered back 5 runs in the top of the second largely in part to Riley Mesler, who finished 1-3 with 2 RBIs.

The score stayed at 5-3 until Ursuline got the offense going again in the 5th with 4 more runs, two more hit in by Holland. She finished 3-4 with 4 RBIs.

After the 6th, Ursuline was holding on to a 9-5 lead, but with two outs in the top of the 7th West Branch started to fight back. Grace Heath hit a two run homer to bring it within 2. Emily Holland was relieved by Emma Ericson for the final out when Peyton Alazaus flew out to first. Securing the 9-7 Irish victory.

Emily Holland led the way offensively for the Lady Irish with 3 hits and 4 RBI.  Maris Barbato also had three hits in the victory.

Ursuline advances to play Poland in the Youngstown District Championship game on Thursday night at 4:00 at YSU Softball Complex.