DIVISION IV SOFTBALL On Velk's two-hitter, Bluejays in title game
Jackson-Milton is regional-bound if it beats East Canton today.
CORTLAND -- Corey Velk fired a two-hitter, leading Jackson-Milton to a 3-0 victory over Windham in a Division IV district semifinal softball game Thursday at Lakeview High.
The Bluejays play East Canton today at 4:30 p.m. for the district title. The winner will advance to the regional at Kent State next week.
The Bluejays scored all of their three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Lindsey Kosa was hit by a pitched ball and she scored on a double by Jayne Fenton. Nikki James singled Fenton to third. James advanced to second on a pickoff attempt, then Velk singled home both runners.
"This is the third time in the past four years that we have reached the district final," said Jackson-Milton coach Kelly Snowden.
"Six of our seven hits came from three seniors -- Fenton, James and Velk -- and the two-hitter that Velk pitched kept the Windham hitters off balance."
Velk (20-6) set a single-season school record for wins and she struck out seven and didn't walk a batter. She had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning, then allowed the two hits.
Snowden said East Canton has a strong club with good hitting and pitching.
East Canton 1, Western Reserve 0
CORTLAND -- It took nine innings for East Canton to prevail.
Mandy Leach singled, moved to second on a sacrifice and moved to third on an error and she scored on a ground out.
Losing pitcher Mikah Berger (11-5) scattered six hits as she pitched a complete game. Tiffany Shugart hit a double and single and Deanna Zamudio two singles for the Blue Devils.
Winning pitch Ashlee Mundy also scattered six hits as she pitched a complete game for the win.
Kim Eash and Leach each hit two singles for the Wizards.
Grand Valley district
ORWELL -- Sarah Henry struck out 11 and walked just one to lead Bristol past Maplewood 3-2 in a Div. IV semifinal.
Marysa Burchett had two hits, including a double, for Bristol (12-5), which plays Gilmour Academy in today's district final.
Amber Sypert had two hits for Maplewood (15-6).