By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Colonel Crawford Lady Eagles punched their tickets to the regional semi-finals Saturday by defeating the Galion Lady Tigers 10-1 in the softball Division III district championship game in Lexington.
The game originally began Friday evening, but with the Lady Eagles up 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning, thunderstorms delayed the game until Saturday morning. The Lady Eagles picked up where they left off, outscoring the Lady Tigers 7-1 over the final four innings.
“We were fortunate enough yesterday before the rains came to go up 3-1,” Colonel Crawford Head Coach Chuck Huggins said. “Our girls were so focused, we got them out in the top of the third with no damage and no runs. The biggest part of the game came then in the bottom of the third when our girls were able to put up three runs to put us up 6-1, and that says a lot about our girls’ heart, focus, and just being ready.
“I can’t say enough about how relaxed and focused they were today,” Huggins continued. “It has been our MO all year put up 10 runs, seven people scored out of our nine batters. It just shows how versatile our lineup is. I am very proud to bring home another championship.”
Sydney Studer picked up the victory, allowing one run on eight hits while collecting five strikeouts. At the plate Studer went two for three with two runs scored.
Abbie Bradshaw drove in two runs while going three for four batting. Alexus Burkhart drove in two runs as well, going two for four with a double.
With the win the Lady Eagles will be headed to their 15th regional appearance. Huggins reflected on the accomplishment.
“If you are going to your 15th regional that means you are fortunate enough to win 15 district championships and that is special in its own right,” Huggins said. “It is just a matter of surrounding yourself with good people and I have certainly been blessed with that over the years.
“It starts with my right-hand man Carl Diebler – my longtime assistant – and just the number of great players, the dedication that they show, and this team fits right in with the other teams that have been fortunate enough to win a district championship,” Huggins continued.
Galion’s lone run came in the first when Dusty Thomas reached home on a single from Emily Sedmak. Sedmak would go two for three, while Thomas would go two for four at the plate.
Colonel Crawford improved to 20-5 and will advance to the Division III regional semi-final game against the Eastwood Lady Eagles at 2 p.m. on May 24 at Findlay High School.
With the loss the Lady Tigers closed out their season with a 17-11 record.
Photo Gallery: Galion vs Colonel Crawford