Mason eliminated after Lebanon's late rally

CLAYTON, Ohio Lebanon's fast-pitch softball team is headed back to state for the second time in three seasons.

The Warriors extended their perfect record to 32-0 by procuring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and defeating Mason 3-2 in a Division I regional championship thriller Saturday at Northmont.

Mason (22-6) scored twice in the top of the seventh to lead 2-1, but Lebanon junior Tara Trainer promptly answered with a solo home run beyond the fence in center field.

Three batters later, an overthrown ball to first base allowed Mikala Bonny to scamper home for the game-winning run. Pandemonium erupted in the Warriors' dugout as players cheered and hugged.

"This team is awesome. We score runs from top to bottom and I had confidence in us," shortstop Sam Showalter said. "I knew we were going to pull through."

Lebanon, ranked sixth in the nation by MaxPreps and first in the final state coaches' poll, plays three-time defending champion North Canton Hoover at 3 p.m. Thursday at Akron's Firestone Stadium. The winner of that semifinal advances to Saturday's 1 p.m. state championship against Elyria or Grove City.

Lebanon's previous state appearance was in 2012. The Comets won the 2013 regional – beating Lebanon 1-0 – but the Warriors turned the tables by procuring timely hits and largely clamping down on Mason's offense.

What started as a pitchers' duel between Lebanon's Trainer and Mason's Tory Stewart was curbed in the fourth inning by Showalter's home run past the left field fence.

"That was huge," Lebanon coach Brian Kindell said. "I felt like we were taking pretty good at-bats. We just missed on a few. She got the monkey off our back there, where we were finally able to score a run, and I think we relaxed a little bit."

Mason, ranked ninth in the final state coaches' poll, flexed its defensive muscle by thwarting a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the fifth. Then, in the sixth, left fielder Hannah Mizener executed a crisp throw to catch Warriors senior Kaitlyn Bergman at second base.

Trainer retired eight throughout and played a key role in neutralizing the Comets until the top of the seventh. That's when Mizener's bunt drove in Brianna Grimes, a courtesy runner for Hailey Ellis.

Olivia Hopkins, running for Liz Hillen, scored via a Warriors error to give the Comets the 2-1 edge.

Mason's lead was short-lived. Trainer's home run seemingly took the wind out of the Comets' sails, and the Warriors seized opportunities to quickly move batters and plate Bonny.

Although Mason players left the field disappointed, coach Liann Muff said she couldn't have been prouder.

"To come back in the seventh inning against such a good team speaks volumes for their ability, their confidence in one another, their belief, and just being able to execute," Muff said.

The Warriors' seven seniors had little time to celebrate. They headed to Wright Straight for their evening graduation ceremony at the Nutter Center.

Mason 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 – 2 3 3

Lebanon 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 – 3 6 3

WP: Trainer (18-0), 8 Ks. LP: Stewart (19-4).

Hitting leaders: Trainer 2-3, HR; Showalter HR. Records. L 32-0, M 22-6.