High school softball tournament capsules

Elyria vs. Toledo Whitmer

What: Division I Clyde Regional final When: Noon, May 27 Where: Clyde High School, 1015 Race St., Clyde Records: Elyria 19-4, Toledo Whitmer 20-6 For the record: Elyria is now one win away from its 12th state appearance . ... The Pioneers relied on April Howser in its 6-2 regional semifinal win over Parma, with the junior driving in five runs while hitting a triple, a two-run home run and a pair of sacrifice flies. Howser did all of that against a twotime first team All-Ohio pitcher in Andrea Scali. ... The Pioneers’ bats will have to remain hot, as the pitching competition does not get easier. Toledo Whitmer’s Amanda Combs brings a 2.40 ERA into the regional final showdown, notching 122 strikeouts on the way to a 13-4 record. ... The Pioneers have solid hitting throughout their order and will need everyone to contribute. Expect Howser, freshman Riley Zana and seniors Dierra Hammons and Madison Cruzado to continue leading the charge . ... Freshman Izzy St. Peter will need to stifle the Panthers’ bats, but has proven more than capable of that while posting a 15-3 record and 2.56 ERA . ... St. Peter will need to be wary of Whitmer’s Brooklyn Esser, who has notched 61 hits on the season for a .635 average. The leadoff hitter was 3-for-3 with three runs and an RBI in the Panthers’ 11-8 win over Springfield in a regional semifinal . ... Whitmer has strong batting in all the spots, with four Panthers’ driving in more than 20 RBI (Mickenzie Brown, Kaylee Kessee, Amy Kimura and Lexi Bonds). Behm’s pick: Elyria

Keystone vs. Oak Harbor

What: Division II Tiffin Regional final When: 4 p.m., May 27 Where: Tiffin University Sports Complex, 2375 CR 26, Tiffin Records: Keystone 25-4, Oak Harbor 29-1 For the record: As has been already said, Keystone’s softball legacy is well heralded. The Wildcats are playing in their fourth straight regional after claiming their 31st district title in program history. This is the 10th time Keystone has made a regional appearance in the last 11 years . ... A showdown with Oak Harbor is another great matchup in that legacy . ... Keystone, the No. 2 Division II team in the final Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll, defeated Napoleon, 9-3, to advance to play the OHSFSCA’s No. 4 ranked Oak Harbor, which topped Clear Fork, 5-1 . ... In their win over Clear Fork, the Rockets did a bit of everything right, notching 11 hits. Emily Lenke was 3-for-4 with a triple, double and pair of RBI, while Kaytlynn Sandwisch, Emma Bergman and Dani Apling all had twohit afternoons. Pitcher Ashley Riley allowed two hits in the complete game effort, striking out 10 . ... That’s not to say Keystone has not been just as dominant. The Wildcats have outscored their opponents, 38-10, and it can be argued that Keystone’s path to a regional final has been tougher than that of the Rockets . ... The Wildcats had one rough inning defensively against Napoleon in their regional semifinal, but kept the damage to a minimum and responded on offense with another three-run inning. ... A lapse against a team like Oak Harbor could be a season-ending one.

Behm’s pick: Keystone Behm’s record: 24-7