LEXINGTON — For the third straight year, the Galion softball team will play for a district championship.

And, the Tigers will try to get back to the regional tournament for the second straight year.

Galion coach Doug Hunt said that the experience the team has gained is invaluable.

“It’s huge. It’s huge for Galion, it’s huge for the team,” Hunt said. “The girls have worked so hard and they have come out and got the job done.”

Galion pitcher Madelyn Thomas agreed with her coach.

“I think it helps,” Thomas said. “It really gives us confidence. We know what we’re capable of.

“It’s going to be exciting; it’s going to be a good game.”

The Tigers (19-4) scored a pair of runs in the third inning and made those runs stand up with a 2-1 win over Milan Edison in the semifinal of the Division III district at Lexington High School.

Galion will battle Bucyrus (18-7) for the district crown today at 5 p.m. at Lexington.

The Tigers managed just five hits against Edison starter Kira Appeman but got three of those hits in the third inning when they got their runs.

Teanna Greter opened with a double into the left-field corner and scored on a single by Gabby Kaple. Kaple moved to second on an error on the play and Nevaeh Clark ripped a double down the left-field line, scoring Kaple.

The Polar Bears finished with eight hits off Thomas, but the Galion defense, particularly the outfield, made some outstanding plays to keep the Polar Bears off the board.

“Gabby Kaple in centerfield has just been money,” Hunt said. “As a sophomore she was All-Ohio, and she has really done a great job. And Nicki Thomas has been strong all year and Kayden Caudill in right has been money for us, so we’re really excited.”

Hunt said that the Polar Bears are an outstanding team, with a record of 18-7.

“Credit to Edison,” Hunt said. “Great team. Holy cow, we were nervous about them. We were definitely nervous. You can’t say enough about how well they play, and they are a well-coached team.

“Our girls came out ready to play. And they did a nice job and we’re excited.”

Kaple paced the Tigers with two hits.

“This was a combined team effort,” Hunt said. “The pitching was good; I can’t say enough about those players. We’re super excited.

“We try to hit the ball hard,” he added. “Usually, if we can get through the lineup a couple of times against a good pitcher, we can get things figured out.”

Hunt said Thomas has been very consistent all season.

“My catcher and I really worked well together,” Thomas said. “She really helped with spots and stuff.”

The fact that the Tigers got the lead early helped as well, Thomas added.

“That helps tremendously,” she said. “We hit the ball fantastic. We were up the whole game.”

Box score

Edison   000 010 0      1    8    1

Galion   002 000 X     2    5    0

WP: Madelyn Thomas (2 SO, 2 W)

LP: Kira Appeman (2 SO, 0 W)

HR: None

Triples: None.

Doubles: (G) Navaeh Clark, Teanna Greter.

Multiple hits: (E) Morgan Scott, Kayla Mancuso; (G) Gabby Kaple.

Records: Edison 13-8; Galion 19-4.

Next: Edison at Margaretta, Monday; Galion vs. Bucyrus, Division III district final at Lexington, Thursday.