LADY RAIDERS SLIDE IT OFF TO STATES

AVON, OH- There are good games, and there was this one.  An instant classic and perhaps one of the greatest softball matchups ever played in the modern era between two state championship contenders, but it was  the South Range Lady Raiders who pulled off a thrilling 1-0 walk-off win over the Champion Golden Flashes on Friday. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the eighth when Giada Pauline smacked a solo inside-the-park home run to send the Raiders to the state semi-finals.

Both teams brought their A-game in the circle. South Range’s Jayli Wilt struck out eight en route to an impressive no-hitter, while Champion’s ace, Gaby Gradishar, fanned 14.

Jayli Wilt was stellar for South Range, pitching eight hitless innings with eight strikeouts and five walks. Gradishar was tough to beat, giving up just one run on four hits over seven and two-thirds innings.

Pauline led the Raiders’ offense, going 1-for-3 with the game-winning RBI in dramatic fashion.  Addison Wardle, Solena DeJesus, and Ashley Rupert each chipped in with a hit. Defensively, South Range was flawless, with Heidi Bartels recording nine outs.

Champion showed discipline at the plate, drawing five walks. They also played error-free defense, with Addison Warzala making 15 plays.

South Range will prepare to battle South Webster on Thursday at Akron Firestone Stadium at 5:30pm for the right to play in the state championship.