SECTIONAL SOFTBALL S. Range edges Clippers in 11th

The Raiders scored three times to win the Division III final.
By KELLY WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- South Range High softball coach David Owens knew his team would eventually win Wednesday's game.
He just didn't know when.
"It was just a matter of someone stepping up," he said, "and [tonight] we had several girls do that."
The Raiders used a three-run outburst in the top of the 11th inning to defeat Columbiana, 5-3, in a Division III sectional final.
"I knew we would come around," Owens said.
With the score tied at 2, South Range's Jessica Spickler started the scoring in the 11th with an RBI triple. Heather Stacy drove her in with a double to center and the Raiders used an RBI single by Jaymi Payne and an error to take a three-run lead.
Walley holds Clippers
Columbiana scored a run in the bottom of the 11th, but it wasn't enough as South Range pitcher Skye Walley held the Clippers in check. Walley had four strikeouts and gave up just five hits to earn the win.
"It's a credit to the kids and to our pitching," said Owens. "I cannot say enough about Skye."
Added Columbiana coach Bonnie Wilkinson: "[Walley] pitched a good game and has awesome control. We knew she wasn't going to give anyone free bases."
South Range scored in the top of the 10th to take a 2-1 lead, but Columbiana answered when Walley overthrew the infielder on a pickoff attempt at third.
"I knew I had to stay focused and get myself out of the situation," Walley said.
Walley got a pair of fly outs to end the inning and keep the Raiders alive.
"[In the final innings], I felt like I had to strike everyone out," Walley said. "But the defense was right there to back me up if anything would go wrong."
Leading the Clippers
Catcher Cara Hardenbrook led Columbiana (18-7) with two hits, including a double.
"We couldn't hit the ball when we needed to," said Wilkinson, whose team beat South Range 18-1 two weeks ago. "We had the opportunity, we just didn't deliver."
South Range (7-10) will play Cardinal Mooney next week in a district semifinal at Green Beaver.
"Our record doesn't come close to reflecting our ability," said Owens.