Columbiana holds off South Range

The Raiders' seventh-inning rally fell a run short in a 4-3 loss.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP -- A seventh-inning rally came up a run short -- just barely --to stop the South Range High softball team from earning its sixth straight sectional title.
With Columbiana ahead 4-0 entering the final frame, the Raiders came to life by scoring three runs -- and nearly a fourth.
But thanks to a fortunate bounce, the Clippers hung on for the 4-3 win and a Division III district semifinal berth.
"We played real good ball" Columbiana coach Bonnie Wilkinson said. "I think we got a little nervous going into the seventh inning. They sure like to keep it interesting."
Indeed they did.
Final rally
A single by senior catcher Kasey Knopp followed by a walk got things rolling for South Range in the final at-bat. A double by Cindy Schuler combined with a sacrifice bunt produced three runs.
An overthrow to first base put Skye Walley on base as the potential tying run. Sophomore Kelice Witmer came up big for the Raiders by driving a pitch into left-center field.
But the ball bounced over the fence.
The umpire ruled ground-rule double, stopping Witmer at second base and returning Walley to third base. A groundout ended the game.
"Kelcie has really been doing well for us" South Range coach Ray Thomas said. "She had three doubles last night and came through again tonight."
Both coaches were well aware of the possibilities had the ball not bounced over the fence.
"Without the bounce, we would have tied it up," Thomas said. "We almost pulled it out or would have at least sent it into extra innings."
Clippers luck
On the flip side, Wilkinson attributed the bounce to some Clippers luck.
The Clippers' runs came in the second inning on RBI singles by Kayla Seybert and Tierney Steiginga, but South Range fielding errors were big contributors.
"The bottom third of our lineup came up big today and they have been coming up big -- both against Lisbon and East Palestine," Wilkinson said of previous league wins.
The fourth Clippers run came in the sixth inning after a double by Seybert, a sacrifice bunt and an RBI double by shortstop Whitney Goist. A run that seemed irrelevant at the time proved to be the determining factor.
Pitching battle
Walley gave up seven hits over six innings while winning pitcher Kristina Davidson gave up five hits, three of which came in the seventh inning.
"Skye is a nice pitcher and really had us reaching on a few," Wilkinson said. "She throws location."
This was the only matchup bewteen the Clippers and Raiders as a doubleheader that was scheduled for last week was called off.
Columbiana advance to the South Range district to play a semifinal game against Waterloo or Rootstown.
South Range (5-13, 3-6 Inter-County League) has league games to be played due to rainouts.
Thomas admitted he is a little disappointed by the unearned runs his team surrendered. Nevertheless, Thomas said, "I'm proud of the girls; they never gave up. It took us a long time to score any runs, but that's the way it goes."