LAKEVIEW OUTDONE BY TWO OUT MAGIC FROM HILLSBORO
AKRON OH- Lakeview’s playoff push came to a halt Wednesday, running into a red-hot Hillsboro squad that handed the Bulldogs a 7-1 loss in the state semifinals.
Lakeview actually struck first in the third inning, cashing in on a wild pitch to take a 1-0 lead. But Hillsboro didn’t flinch. They tied it up in the fourth on an RBI groundout from Addley Miller, then cracked it open in the fifth with a string of clutch knocks from Chloe Roberts, Isabelle Brunck, and Addie Huff to make it 4-1.
That’s all ace Camryn Spruell needed. The Hillsboro righty that is committed to Ball State, was locked in, racking up 13 punchouts in a complete-game four-hitter. She walked six, but didn’t let Lakeview get comfortable at the plate.
On the flip side, Lakeview leaned on a combo of Ava Bacon and Isabella Isenberg in the circle. Bacon tossed over five innings and gave up just one run, but Hillsboro did damage after she exited. Isenberg was tagged for six runs — only three earned — as the Indians capitalized on key moments.
Rylee Barnot, hitting from the nine-hole, led the Bulldogs with a pair of base knocks. Mackenzie Stowe worked two free passes, and as a group, Lakeview stayed patient with six walks total, but couldn’t string together the timely hits.
For Hillsboro, Brunck did serious damage in the cleanup spot, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Roberts chipped in a pair of hits, while Myleah Fridley and Reagan Clemons each worked two walks to keep the pressure on. Six out of the seven runs Hillsboro scored were with two outs on the board.
Hillsboro’s defense was clean all night — no errors and one double play — with Miller handling the hot spots, racking up 13 chances without a miss.
Lakeview’s season ends short of the title game, but they went out swinging on the state stage.