Big first inning propels Mason softball past West

Mason scored all three of its runs in the first inning to knock off Lakota West 3-2 in a Division I district softball final Saturday at Fairfield Middle School.

Senior catcher Liz Hillen singled in two runs and finished 2-for-3 for the Comets. Junior shortstop Gabby LaSala added the Comets' third RBI.

Senior Tory Stewart pitched a complete game, allowing two hits and no earned runs. Stewart retired West's final six batters.

Mason (21-5), The Enquirer's Division I poll champion, has won 18 of its last 19 games.

The Comets advance to the regional semifinals to face No. 3 Fairfield on Thursday.

Fairfield 7, Lakota East 2, Division I District final: Fairfield (23-5) and Lakota East (24-6) – Greater Miami Conference rivals – split the regular season series, but the Indians won the district behind a complete game from senior pitcher Ashlynn Roberts, who allowed four hits.

Freshman right fielder Erin Burdine started both of the Indians' rallies with leadoff doubles in the third and fourth innings. Fairfield scored four runs in the third and three in the fourth.

"Our league (GMC) is so strong, they really prepare you for this time of year," said Fairfield coach Brenda Stieger.

Franklin 2, Ross 1, Division II District final: Ross looked like it would be able to come back from a 2-0 deficit late in the game, but a remarkable defensive play ended the Rams' run.

With one out and a runner on second in the seventh inning, Kelsey Warman doubled in the Rams' lone run, but the ensuing batter lined out to the second baseman, who turned two to end the game.

Bethel-Tate 3, Waynesville 0, Division III District final: Bethel-Tate scored three runs on four hits and two walks in the first innning in what would prove to be the final score.

Junior starting pitcher Cassidy Devore allowed only six hits in the complete game shutout and improves to 13-8 this season. Junior left fielder Julia Weber finished 2-for-3 from the plate.

Bethel-Tate advances to the regional semifinals where they will face Richwood North Union on Wednesday, May 28 at 5:00 p.m. at Wright State University.

Baseball

Mason 2, Milford 1, Division I District final: Junior Tyler Krabbe was 2-for-2 and score the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh.

Senior Chris Martin (6-1) threw a complete game, allowing just five hits and striking out seven batters.

Mason (24-4), No. 13 in the state by the Division I coaches' poll, extended its winning streak to 13 games. The Comets will face Troy in a regional semifinal Thursday at UC at 2 p.m.

Troy 1, Lakota West 0, Division I District final: Despite solid pitching from senior Grant Schuermann and junior Austin Allinger, Lakota West, No. 2 in the Division I state coaches' poll, wasn't able to come back from a 1-0 second-inning deficit.

Schuermann had five strikeouts over the first three innings, while Allinger struck out four.

"I'm proud of the seniors on our team and the effort that everyone put forth," coach Bill Dreisbach said.

Moeller 2, Centerville 1 (eight innings), Division I District final: With one out in the eighth, Moeller junior catcher Bailey Montoya hit a double to right center and was then replaced by pinch-runner Patrick Birrer. Birrer advanced to to third on a groundout to short and with two outs was in position to score. Junior infielder Josh Hollander hit a walk-off single over the first baseman's head to send Moeller to the regionals.

Junior starting pitcher Joe Vranesic went four innings allowing one run in the third. Vraanesic was replaced by sophomore Nick Bennet, who finished the game and earned the win. Senior outfielder Zach Logue finished 2-for-4 atthe plate.

Moeller, ranked No. 2 in the final Enquirer Division I coaches' poll, will face Beavercreek on Thursday at 5 p.m. at UC.

Beavercreek 1, Lakota East 0, Division I District final: A bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fifth inning resulted in the game's only run and ended Lakota East's run at a district title.

The Thunderhawks finish the season 21-10. Lakota East has had at least 20 wins in four of the last five seasons.

Boys' volleyball

Alter d. McNicholas: Alter beat McNicholas 25-9, 25-17, 25-21 in a Division II state semifinal match played at Hamilton. McNicholas (13-12) lost to Alter (20-6) in all three of their meetings this season.

Alter will face Bishop Watterson Sunday for the state title at Hamilton. ■