MARATHON TITLE GAME DOESN’T FALL URSULINE’S WAY
RAVENNA OH- They say a season isn’t a sprint, it is a marathon. They don’t say that too often about a single game. However on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Ravenna, Ursuline and Tuslaw found themselves in a battle of wills that went 13 innings. Tuslaw battled back from trailing twice in extras, the second time they broke through for a walk off 4-3 win breaking the hearts of the Irish.
Much like in Wednesday’s regional semifinal against South Range, Tuslaw scored in their first trip to the plate. Kylie Mazzocca came up with a 2 out RBI single that scored Macaira Fox who walked to lead off the game. However, unlike their game against South Range the Mustangs were unable to continue to tack on runs as the game went on. Paige Ogden kept them quiet for the next 8 innings. They wouldn’t score again until the 9th.
Ursuline tied up the game at 1-1 in the 4th as Layni Bednar hit an infield single to score Mia Opalick. The pitcher’s duel continued through extras. In the 9th inning, Ursuline took a 2-1 lead as Katie Koulianos singled home Liza Barbato. However, Tuslaw opened up their half of the 9th with a single, and then an error. It put runners on 1st and 3rd with no one out. After a strikeout, Camryn Kiefer hit into a fielder’s choice to Bednar who tried to get the out at home to no avail. The Mustangs would strand two more runners though to keep the game going.
Fans would have to wait until the 13th inning to see more scoring as Maddie Miklandric mashed the first pitch of the frame over the wall to give Ursuline another lead in extras 3-2. The Mustangs never said die. After the first two batters got out, Mazzocca came up with a two out double, she would move over and then score the tying run on a wild pitch ball 4. Tuslaw catcher Miriam Peterson would come to the plate with the game winning run on 2nd. She hadn’t had a hit all day, but she took a 0-2 pitch opposite field into right for a walk off single to win the game.
Paige Ogden finished her amazing senior season with a gutsy 11 innings of work in the circle. She gave up 1 earned run on 4 hits and struck out 18 while only walking 2. She threw 156 pitches on the day before being relieved by Opalick. Opalick went 1.2 IP and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and striking out 3.
Meredith Rankl went the distance for Tuslaw. 13.0 IP giving up 11 hits but just 3 earned runs. She struck out 5 and walked none. She threw 142 pitches.
