Lewis’ clutch hit gives Bradley wild regional win
In 32 years coaching softball at the three Hilliard high schools, Kevin Moody said he never experienced a game as wild as Wednesday’s Division I regional semifinal at Ohio State’s Buckeye Field.
Hannah Lewis hit a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh, giving Hilliard Bradley a 10-9 win over Mount Vernon.
“We fall behind 3-0 in the first inning, then we give up five runs in the top of the seventh in crazy fashion, but our kids didn’t wilt,” Moody said. “They just played for the moment. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Bradley seemed primed to hold on in the top half of the inning when, with two outs, the Jaguars got Annie Neipling caught in a rundown between first and second. A throwing error, however, allowed the tying run to score, and an RBI single by Torrey Totman sent the Yellow Jackets ahead 9-8.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jordan Pallay led off with a single. Aimee Duckworth then put down a bunt that rolled past the pitcher, and courtesy runner Macie LoParo alertly raced to third.
After Lewis overcame a two-strike check swing that was appealed, she singled between first and second base to end a game that produced 25 hits.
“All I was thinking about was watching the ball and trying to make contact,” Lewis said.
Bradley (24-4) will face Gahanna (24-5) for the regional title at 2 p.m. Saturday.
“That was absolutely insane,” said Pallay, who went 4 for 4, including a solo homer. “We survived a similar game in the district final against Pickerington Central. At times, it was frustrating tonight and we were pressing, but there’s something special about this team and we found a way.”
Jaiden Bryant hit a two-run homer for the Jaguars. Hope Straight went 3 for 4 with an inside-the-park homer for Mount Vernon (23-3).
Gahanna 11, Lancaster 7
According to coach Jim Campolo, the motto for Gahanna is “We fear no one, but respect everyone.”
Even after beating Lancaster 14-5 and 8-7 in Ohio Capital Conference Ohio Division play, the Lions players had a healthy respect for the Golden Gales, in particular their highscoring offense.
Aided by two big hits from Aly Harrell, Gahanna scored four runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth to outslug Lancaster on Wednesday. The teams combined for 29 hits. Harrell cleared the bases with a single that was misplayed and added a two-run double.
“Our mentality was that it’s hard to beat a great team three times and we wanted to come out early and take the momentum,” said Harrell, a Marshall signee.
Lauren Ringhiser added a two-run homer, her eighth of the season.
“Everyone was hitting the ball hard today and we were finding spots,” Ringhiser said. “We hit so well up and down the lineup, it’s reassuring to know someone can always pick you up.”
Campolo wasn’t thrilled with his defense, but said, “We hit the devil out of the ball and that gave us a little room to overcome our mistakes.”
Ninth hitter Kristen Zink and leadoff hitter Lauren Woodward had three hits, and five other Lions had two.
Katie Heimberger went 4 for 4 with two doubles to pace Lancaster (25-5), which was making its first regional appearance since 2002.