Clutch defensive plays nail down Ready’s victory

Skylar Lafferty scattered six hits over seven innings for Ready and got help from her defense Wednesday to secure a 4-2 victory over West Liberty Salem in a Division III softball regional semifinal at Wright State.

Lafferty, who walked one and struck out one, gave up a double with a runner on and no outs in the top of the seventh inning, but Dani Hall relayed left fielder Kelly Gallagher’s throw to home, where catcher Shelby Tracy tagged out a runner. Second baseman Nikki Hawkins then made a diving stop on a pop-up behind first base and the Silver Knights (13-10) escaped the rally by West Liberty (21-6).

Hawkins had three hits, including a double and an RBI, and scored the game’s opening run on a passed ball. Tracy went 2 for 3 and drove in the final run with an RBI single. Cardington (23-4) scored six second-inning runs on the way to a Division III regional semifinal win over Coldwater (18-9) at Findlay. Consecutive singles by Rylie Partlow, Kierson George, Alyson Baylee Adams, Casey Bertke and Allie Moore paved the way for a 6-4 lead after the second inning. Bertke cruised through the rest of the game, allowing four runs — one earned — on five hits with four strikeouts and also drove in two runs. Coldwater’s Carly Post hit a three-run homer in the second for a 4-0 lead. Lakewood (29-1) hit five home runs in a Division II regional semifinal victory over Warren (13-13) at Pickerington Central. Megan Davis hit a pair of solo homers, one in the second and one in the fifth inning. Brenna Brownfield hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the sixth, and Courtney Knepper hit a three-run shot in the sixth. Pitcher Courtney Vierstra cruised through 5 2/3 innings allowing one run.

Kayla Fredendall had a pair of home runs and four RBI, Emily Walker had two triples and Jonathan Alder (21-4) beat Springfield Shawnee (23-6) in a Division II game at Mason. Katelyn Perkins allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits for the Pioneers.