Central bows out in regional

5/30/2009

BUCYRUS, Ohio - Central Catholic's season reached its conclusion in a Division II softball regional semifinal Friday night.

Errors plagued the Irish in a 7-2 loss to LaGrange Keystone.

Central got into trouble in the second when the first three Keystone batters reached base. With the table set, Kim Kokoski laid down a bunt, but the throw home went wild, allowing two runs to score. Another run scored on an infield grounder, giving Keystone a 3-0 lead.

The Wildcats added a run in the third when another Central error allowed Erin Pond to score.

Keystone lengthened its lead with three runs in the fifth inning.

With one out, Pond singled and moved to third on a throwing error. With two runners on, Becky Nielsen grounded to the third baseman who threw the ball into right field for an error, allowing two runs to score. A double by Kokoski then allowed Nielsen to cross the plate.

The Irish tried to mount a rally, scoring once in the bottom of the fifth and another in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little, too late.

In the fifth, Erin Seiler doubled ahead of a single by Ashley Sujkowski. A ground out by Emily Sifuentes allowed Hailey Reihing, a courtesy runner, to score, getting Central Catholic on the board.

In the seventh inning, Ashleigh Whitacre and Kellie Thornton drew back-to-back walks. Then an error by Keystone's second baseman on a ball hit by Sifuentes allowed Whitacre to score.

"It brought an end to a magical season for us," Central Catholic coach Norm Kujawa said. "After a lot of years of struggle, it put Central Catholic softball back on the map.

"We're excited about the future and the foundation this season laid."

ASHLAND, Ohio - Sami Michaelis pitched a strong game for Woodmore, but gave up a three-run double to Sandy Valley's Danielle Grooms in the top of the ninth inning yesterday in a Division III regional semifinal, and Sandy Valley closed out the 3-0 victory.

Michaelis gave up only three hits and had nine strikeouts with two walks - one intentional.

Sandy Valley advances with a 24-5 record and Woodmore ends its season 18-9.