DIVISION IV Bluejays blanked 4-0 by Crestline

Jackson-Milton hit the ball hard but right at the defense.
By KELLY WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
KENT -- Despite hitting the ball very hard, Jackson-Milton High's softball season came to an end Wednesday when Crestline blanked the Bluejays, 4-0, in a Division IV regional semifinal at Kent State University.
The problem was not that the Blue Jays did not hit the ball; rather, it was that they hit it right into the gloves of the Bulldogs.
"I felt very confident with our offense," said Jackson-Milton coach Kelly Snowden. "We were not baffled by the pitcher and hit the ball very hard."
No luck
Jackson-Milton had four hits while Crestline finished with six.
"When you get to this level, it's about a little bit of luck," Snowden said. "We had no luck today."
Whether it was a "lucky grab" or a "lucky bat," the Bulldogs had what it took to advance to Saturday's regional final.
The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, added three more runs in the sixth and backed their scoring with strong defense.
The Bluejays' Lyndsey Kosa led off the sixth with a double to shallow left field and it appeared as if the Bluejays would begin to find the gaps.
Jayne Fenton then hit a hard grounder to shortstop Amanda Ronk. Instead of making the routine throw to first, Ronk faked and threw to second to pick off Kosa.
"Our defense is why we are where we are," Crestline coach Heath Sager said.
"We knew they were going to hit the ball hard. Fortunately they hit it to us."
The inning ended when the Bulldogs' third baseman snatched a line drive and fired to first base, completing a double play.
In the Crestline sixth, Dawn Collins led off with a grounder to shortstop which resulted in an overthrow and a runner on second.
Another Bluejay error was followed by two Crestline hits. Kristi Schwecheimer doubled to drive in two more runs.
Productive lineup
"Not only do we get production from our number seven and number eight batters, but we feel confident giving the ball to our two freshmen pitchers because of the defense behind them," Sager said. "[We] now know [we] can compete with anybody in Div. IV."
Crestline will play the winner of today's semifinal between Bristol and Mogadore.
Corey Velk finished her senior season with a 20-7 record. The other Bluejays playing their final varsity game were Kosa, Fenton and Niki James.