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One big inning propels Lincolnview to 5-2 win over Hillsdale in OHSAA softball Division 4 state semifinals

The Lancers scored four times in the fourth inning and will now play for the state title.
Lincolnview softball Ryan Isley

AKRON, Ohio – One big inning is all it took for Lincolnview to defeat Hillsdale 5-2 in the OHSAA Division IV state semifinals on Friday afternoon and secure its spot in the state championship game. 

Lincolnview had just one hit through three innings and had struck out six times against Hillsdale pitcher Taylor Morgan.

But then came the fourth inning.

Kendall Bollenbacher led off the inning with a single, and then Addysen Stevens drew a walk. Taylor Post bunted the runners up and Braxton Sherrick drove in the first run of the game with a single.

“Kendall started us off with a great hit, and we all just stacked on from there,” Lincolnview first baseman Zadria King said. “We feed off each other.”

Sherrick then stole second and Andi Webb drew a walk. 

With the bases loaded and one out, King battled through a 10-pitch at-bat and laced a two-run single up the middle to make it 3-0. Grace Brickner hit one back to the pitcher, who tried to cut down the runner at the plate, but Webb beat the throw and tag.

“We like to strike first,” King said. “We work well with the lead, and we just put the pressure on them.”

That was all Post needed in the circle. She held Hillsdale scoreless through five innings before giving up two runs in the sixth. 

She finished by giving up just two runs on five hits, while striking out five and walking none. While the run support made it easier for her, she wasn’t letting that dictate how she pitched.

“I was still thinking in the back of my head that these games can turn like that, and they were a good team,” Post said. “We had to keep playing how we had been early in the game.”

Post didn’t try to overpower hitters. She just pitched her game and let them put the ball in play for her defense.

“I know I have a great defense behind me who can make the big plays when they need to,” Post said. “I think I do a good job of placing the ball where they hit grounders and popups. The defense did a good job today.”

The best example of that happened in the sixth inning.

Jacey Sermulis led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on an error. With nobody out and a runner on second, Kylie Ohl lifted a fly ball to left center. Stevens tracked it down from her position in left field and made the diving catch.

“We came up with a pretty good scouting report,” Lincolnview coach Eric Schwab said. “We moved Addy in two (steps) and over two (steps) and boom, there you go. The girls have bought into the system.”

The play seemed even bigger once the inning was over, as it kept Hillsdale from scoring more than just the pair of runs and provided the final difference.