RAIDERS CONQUER POLAND YET AGAIN TO GET IN ANOTHER DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

Solena DeJesus was on fire with the bat, knocking three hits to help South Range topple Poland 9-6 in the district semifinals showdown. DeJesus kicked things off with a double in the first, and followed up with singles in the third and fourth innings, really setting the tone for her team.

Poland initially got the lead with Kylie Hudran grounding out to bring a run home, but South Range quickly flipped the script. They blasted five runs in the bottom of the first, sparked by DeJesus’s two-RBI double.

The Bulldogs made a surge in the fourth, taking the lead briefly after a rally capped by a wild pitch that brought in a run. However, South Range wasn’t down for long. Gretchen Bartels’s sacrifice fly and Ashley Rupert’s single in the same inning put them back in front for good.

Jayli Wilt pocketed the win despite giving up six runs over four innings, showing a rocky but effective outing. Olivia Horn, on the losing end, allowed nine runs from 11 hits through six innings of work. Rupert also came through to nab the save.

South Range showed off their hitting skills with 11 hits total. Rupert and Bartels contributed significant RBIs, with Wilt and the team showing great plate discipline by drawing six walks.

For Poland, Elliana Thompson was a bright spot, batting in two runs and snagging two hits herself. Lillian McDonald and Thompson both had a multi-hit day, while Avery Jakubovic helped keep the bases warm with a couple of walks.

With this victory, South Range is set to face Columbiana in the district championship at their home turf, promising another thrilling game set for a 5:30 start.