STATE SOFTBALL Thomas paces Gahanna Lincoln to Division I finale

She pitched a three-hitter and drove in the only run against Massillon Perry.
ASHLAND -- Rachel Thomas struck out eight, allowed three hits and drove in the game's only run as Gahanna Lincoln beat Massillon Perry 1-0 Friday in a Division I softball state semifinal.
Rachel Smith singled to lead off the game and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kellie Eilers. After a strikeout, Thomas singled to drive in Smith and give the Lions (25-7) a 1-0 lead.
Thomas (20-2) did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and allowed only one runner past first base. The best chance to score for the Panthers (22-8) came in the sixth when Kristina Damis singled and advanced to second on a bunt before Thomas struck out Heather Piero to end the inning.
Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 3,
Cincinnati Northwest 0
ASHLAND -- Jenn Woods pitched a shutout and hit a home run in the other Div. I semifinal.
Woods (23-4) gave up three hits, struck out eight and did not walk a batter. She homered in the seventh inning to give Anthony Wayne (26-5) a 2-0 lead.
Jessica Barney's single in the sixth inning off Stephanie Vonderhaar (21-3) drove in Leslie Everhart for the first run of the game. Chrissy Gothke singled and scored on a single by Kara Hensley for the final run in the seventh inning.
Vonderhaar pitched a complete game for Northwest (24-4), allowing three runs on nine hits. She struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Nikki Kennedy had two hits for Northwest.
Division IV
ASHLAND -- Alexis Donnell scored on a bunt in the bottom of the sixth inning as Gibsonburg beat Crestline 1-0.
Katie Samson started the bottom of the sixth by walking and was replaced by Donnell. Donnell advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a bunt by Sarah Walby.
Meghan Ronk (18-4) took the loss for the Bulldogs (26-5) despite allowing one hit and striking out five in six innings.
Jamie Wonderly (25-3) got the win for the Golden Bears (27-4). Wonderly struck out seven, walked none, gave up four hits and had Gibsonburg's only hit.
St. Henry 4,
Sugar Grove Berne Union 0
ASHLAND -- Sarah Poling allowed one hit, struck out seven, walked none and retired the last 20 batters she faced in the other Div. IV semifinal.
Berne Union did not hit a fly ball off of Poling (15-5). The other 14 outs were groundouts.
The Redskins (23-9) scored two unearned runs in the fourth and one in the fifth. Their only earned run came in the bottom of the first inning when Danielle Kremer walked, advanced to third on a single by Poling and scored on a fielder's choice.
Megan Krile had the only hit for the Rockets (20-14), a single in the first inning.
Jessica Strope (13-8) took the loss. She allowed five hits and four runs, one earned, six innings. She walked three and struck out two.