By Bryant Billing – [email protected]
FAIRBORN — The Russian softball team reached the pinnacle of team history in the playoffs and gave reigning state champion Bradford a tough bout in a Division IV regional final Saturday at Wright State University.
But the railway staff proved too difficult to stop. Bradford batted late and retired to win 3-1 and win his moment directly in the state.
Russia, which is the team ranked No. 1 D-IV on the State Coaches Association’s ticket for the season high, finished 27-2.
“I told the women to create memories today and despite the result, I think we created memories on this total journey,” Russian coach Michelle Muhlenkamp said.
The team earned its fifth straight Shelby County Athletic League name this season. It won its consecutive district name, after winning the first in the show’s history last season.
Russia also did very well in its regional moment. The team lost 16-0 to Mechanicsburg in the regional semifinals last season.
“They’ve come this far,” Muhlenkamp said. They just bought one and both, which we describe as. Just laugh and stay there for others and focus on the field. The game will come to you. You only have to enjoy both one and the two minutes you finish on the field, regardless of the final result.
“Today I told the women that there is no other position where you can ridiculously jump, hit your friends on the head and sing silly songs in the canoe, and that it is socially acceptable. That’s what makes this game fun. We became ridiculous idiots and laughed and enjoyed the game of softball.
The Raiders will lose 4 seniors at graduation: Riley Hammonds, Ava Daniel, Sophie Francis and Emily Sunderland.
“Today they left a total legacy for Russian softball,” Muhlenkamp said. “There were a lot of young women here today watching, seeing what it was about. That’s the important thing.
The Raiders will return most of their roster, and Muhlenkamp is confident the recent good fortune will continue.
“I think the women know how much it cost us to work after sitting here after the regional semi-finals a year ago, and they managed to get to the next game,” Muhlenkamp said. make this game a success. “
Russia took the lead at the end of the third. First baseman Jaela Shappie hit a single to the middle with two outs, then Reese Goubeaux followed with a double to the middle to score Shappie and give the Raiders a 1-0 lead.
Bradford loaded the bases with a single, an error and a throw in the fourth, but pitcher Makena Hoying persuaded a curling player to finish the inning.
The Railroaders defended in fifth place. Izzy Hamilton hit a bachelor on a floor ball in a short stop, then Austy Miller connected on an RBI triple in the middle of the frame to tie it 1-1.
Hoying eliminated Zoe Brewer, then Nylani Beireis opted for the selection of a defender and the Raiders sent Miller home for the time being. line to end the entry.
Bradford added one in the sixth.
Remi Harleman connected on a solo to left to start the inning, then moved on to a Sacrifice Fly by Lex Barhorst. Alani Canan then flew to left field, but Hamilton connected on a single to left field, which then rolled between Shappie. he allowed a scoring run to give Bradford a 2-1 lead.
“We knew we had to play a blank game today,” Muhlenkamp said. “When you get that ball, it’s a lot of pressure. I think the women did a smart job. We knew (Bradford) was going to be competitive and hit the ball. We knew we were going to have to score more than one point to win today.
Russia deliberately walked Miller, then Brewer hit the floor to prevent Simone Puthoff from making a short, who threw the third. Hamilton passed the throw safely.
With the bases loaded, Beireis worked a complete countdown and committed a foul on several pitches before coming out with a punt change.
Russia threatened at the bottom of the sleeve.
Hammonds hit a single with a strikeout into the center area, then put a moment on a pass and third on a wild pitch while Hoying in the marble. moment base to finish the entry.
The Railroaders separated the game in the seventh. Fike couldn’t start the inning, but Canan and Harleman hit the singles in right field, then Barhorst connected on a single from the line to center to score Canan and take the lead to 3-1.
Hamilton connected a line drive to Daniel in the third for a moment, and Daniel scored Harleman on the third out.
Russia determined in order at the end of the seventh.
Bradford (23-5), who won the state name D-IV last year, advances to face Strasbourg-Franklin in the state semifinals.
By Bryant Billing
[email protected]
Contact Bryant Billing at (937) 538-4818, or @SidneyOHSports on Twitter and @BryantBillingSDN on Facebook.
Contact Bryant Billing at (937) 538-4818, or @SidneyOHSports on Twitter and @BryantBillingSDN on Facebook.
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