By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Colonel Crawford pitcher Sydney Studer had an uncharacteristic start in Tuesday’s Division III district semifinal softball game against Milan Edison in Lexington, but the conclusion was all too familiar for opponents of Studer and the Lady Eagles. Colonel Crawford overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Lady Chargers 5-2 and move into the district championship game on Friday against the winner of tonight’s Willard-Galion game.
Studer gave up a double, two walks and threw three wild pitches in the first inning that allowed two Edison runs before Colonel Crawford came to bat. But from that point on Studer was all but unhittable in shutting out the Lady Chargers the rest of the way. Studer allowed just five hits and struck out 12 in picking up her 18th win in the pitcher’s circle.
Colonel Crawford, now 19-5, retaliated with a run in the first inning driven in by Lydia Strouse’s single.The Lady Eagles took the lead for good in the third inning with three more runs, two of which came around on Caitlin Koshinck’s basses loaded single. Alexus Burkhart drove in the final Colonel Crawford run in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly. Koshinck led the Lady Eagles’ offense with three base hits and two RBIs. Kerri Reynolds also had a big night at the plate with a single and triple.