SOFTBALL Bristol's season concludes with 1-0 loss to Mogadore

An unearned run in the seventh inning settled the pitchers duel.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
KENT -- It wasn't supposed to end this way, and the Bristol High softball team knew it.
As players scattered throughout the dugout, their eyes filled with tears, and walked toward the bus, Bristol coach Debbie Rowles stayed behind to answer some of the season's toughest questions.
The Panthers' season ended with a 1-0 loss to Mogadore in the Division IV regional semifinals Thursday at Kent State University.
Deciding run
An error with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning led to the deciding run, ending a pitchers duel between Bristol's Sarah Henry and Mogadore's Kim Kurchev.
"I told them to hold their heads up high," Rowles said. "They got us here two years in a row, and we'll be back next year. I have a lot of confidence in them."
With Mogadore runners on first and second, Henry was one strike away from sending the game into extra innings.
But Lesley Moutz, the runner on second, broke for third, and Bristol catcher Amber Rasmussen threw the ball into left field, allowing Moutz to score.
"She got a little antsy when she saw the girl take off. She didn't set herself," Rowles said. "It happens."
Bristol (15-3) committed two errors in the seventh. Moutz reached base on a bunt that first baseman Ashley Rasmussen couldn't handle. Moutz went to second on a fielder's choice and scored on the second error.
"Unfortunately, that's how this game is," Mogadore coach Tom Pollock said. "It usually ends on something like that."
By sending Moutz to third on a steal attempt, the Wildcats were trying to force the action, Pollock said.
"We're not real strong at the plate, so we try to get the runs any way we can," he said.
Pitching match-up
Kurchev and Henry weren't perfect, but they were close to it.
A senior, Kurchev (14-12) earned the victory by tossing her first no-hitter of the season. She struck out five and walked two, and wasn't even aware what she had done.
"Early in the year she struggled," Pollock said. "But since the tournament started, she's picked up her intensity level. She's been awesome."
Henry (5-2), a junior, allowed only three hits, striking out five and walking one.
"She was keeping everything away from us," Kurchev said of Henry. "She had good speed, and that's something we haven't seen in a while."
Mogadore (15-15) advanced to its first regional final where it will play Crestline on Saturday.
richesson@vindy.com