DIVISION III SOFTBALL Ursuline holds off LaBrae

The Irish jumped out to a 6-0 lead and held on for a 6-3 victory.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Ursuline High softball team held off a late rally by LaBrae, posting a 6-3 victory in a Division III sectional championship game Wednesday at Wick Recreation Area.
The Irish (19-5) built a 6-0 lead through the top of the fifth inning, before the Vikings (11-8) scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, LaBrae's Lindsay Higgins walked and Lia Gordon singled. With one out, Stacy Howard reached base on an error to load the bases.
With the tying run at the plate, winning pitcher Maureen Cearfoss (18-5) of Ursuline struck out Amanda Hall. Amber Hall reached base on an error, with Lindsay Higgins scoring the third run for LaBrae.
Tosses four-hitter
Cearfoss, who allowed only four hits, two of them doubles, got Kim Calderwood to fly out to end the game.
Asked if she was concerned when the bases were loaded with one out in the seventh, Cearfoss said, "No. Our team knew they could win."
Ursuline took a 2-0 lead in the top of he second inning. Natalie Palermo was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a single by Alessandra Parry. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice and scored on a single by Brittany Shonce.
The Irish added a run in the third and another in the fourth for a 4-0 lead.
"When we took that 4-0 lead, I was happy because, usually, we don't hit until the late innings," said Cearfoss.
Dickson leads way
Vannessa Dickson, sophomore catcher for the Irish, hit a triple and three singles, scored once and drove in a run.
"I've been in a little slump, but I saw the ball pretty good today," said Dickson.
Ursuline coach Mike Kernan said he was concerned in the seventh inning when LaBrae loaded the bases.
"Even though they had runners in position to tie the game I knew our team could win, because our kids are focused and know where they want to go," said Kernan.
Cearfoss helped Ursuline make it to the district as a freshman and last year she was the losing pitcher in a 1-0 loss to Jeromesville Hillsdale in the regional tournament.
Ursuline will take Middlefield Cardinal in a district semifinal at Grand Valley High School next Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.