Tag Archive for: Regionals

GOLDEN FLASHES OUTSHINE RANGE END RAIDERS SEASON

The South Range Softball team saw their season come to an end on Thursday with a 14-0 loss to defending state champion…Champion.

The Flashes got on the board early scoring 2 in the top of the first. The Raiders has a chance to get an out on a popped up bunt but Jillian Strecansky just couldn’t dive far enough to catch it.  Bree Kohler got her first of 8 strikeouts in the game to end the Champion threat.

The start of the bottom of the inning seemed eerily similar to the top. Marlaina Slabach walked and then Drew Feren popped up a bunt attempt, the similarities ended after that however as Champion caught the fly ball and went on to strand Slabach at 2nd base.

Kohler got the first two outs of the second inning quickly and seemed to be settling down, but the depth of the Champion line up showed itself as their nine hole hitter White put a bloop single down the right field line. After an intentional walk and another bloop single the offensive leader for Champion Cassidy Schaffer blasted a grand slam to dead center to grab control of the game for the Flashes.  The next Champion batter would make it back to back jacks and give Champion a controlling 7-0 lead.

Marlaina Slabach got the Taiders their first hit of the day a few innings later, a hard slap through the 5-6 hole into left field. She reached base 2 out of her 3 plate appearances. Alyssa Tracy also reaches base with a HBP.

Kohler struck out 8 hitters on the day to put her season total at 201. It ends a record setting season for her as she became the single season record holder in hits and stolen bases.

The Raiders graduate 5 seniors. Drew Feren, Maddie Helon, Marlaina Slabach, Hanna Dennison, and Brooke Sauerwein. For most programs losing 5 seniors would seem like a rebuild would be in order but the young talent that is sprinkled in the Raiders lineup gives them hope of more strong seasons on the horizon. They finish their 2019 campaign at 18-9 and the South Range District Champions. The programs 6th title, all of which have come since 2010.

 

BULLDOGS BITE DOWN ON BUCHTEL

The Poland Lady Bulldogs advanced to the regional final Tuesday night with a 59-38 win over Akron Buchtel.

The game started off back and forth. Sarah Bury got the Bulldogs on the board early with a three pointer, and Buchtel was getting good looks inside mostly in transition.  It appeared that the beginning of the game was anxious for the Bulldogs. They quickly shook off any nerves though when Buchtel took a 11-7 lead. The Bulldogs ended the first frame on a 7-0 run and led 14-11 after 1.

The Poland defense clamped down hard in the 2nd frame. Buchtel had a hard time just getting into half court sets.  Poland turned 3 quick turnovers into 3 quick buckets and just like that they had a commanding 24-12 lead. Buchtel didn’t hit a single shot from the field in the whole quarter and Poland led at the break 27-12.

In the 3rd with their offense now in front of their own fans Buchtel seemed a bit more loose. They cut Poland’s lead to 10 early in quarter 3 showing a glimmer of hope that they could claw their way back into the game. The Bulldogs snuffed that thought out quick however, as Kailyn Brown and Morgan Kluchar got some big time buckets to get the lead back to 15 38-23.  The score after 3 was 38-25.

Poland did not let off the gas pedal at all in the 4th. They knew all too well that Buchtel was a team known for 4th quarter comebacks. That would not be the case in this contest as Brooke Bobbey started to get involved scoring 5 of her 7 points in the final frame. Sarah Bury also added a couple of perimeter jump shots to cement the Bulldog lead.  Poland would go on to win by a final of 59-38.

Every Bulldog starter scored at least 5 points tonight to lead a balanced offense. Kailyn Brown led the team in scoring with 15 points 7 rebounds. Sarah Bury was also in double figures with 14. Poland advances to the programs third ever regional championship on Friday night against Akron St Vincent St Mary. Tip off is slated for 7:00 at Barberton High School.