DIV. IV SOFTBALL W. Reserve advances to district title game

The Blue Devils edged Mineral Ridge 2-1 in 10 innings.
CORTLAND -- It felt like d & eacute;j & agrave; vu, with a twist.
The Western Reserve High softball team avenged last year's district semifinal loss to Inter-County League rival Mineral Ridge with a 2-1 victory Wednesday in 10 innings.
Last season, Mineral Ridge advanced to the district final with a 5-1 triumph.
The Blue Devils will play for the school's first regional berth. Today at 4:30 p.m. in the district final at Lakeview High School, Western Reserve plays Windham, which defeated East Canton, 5-0.
Split in regular season
Mineral Ridge and Western Reserve split two games during ICL play this season, with each team winning at home.
"It has become a great rivalry," Blue Devils coach Joe Serensky said. "They make us a better team when we play and that's because they always play us tough."
Playing by international rules (runner placed on second base in the 10th), Tarah Young advanced to third on a passed ball.
Katie Harmon reached first on a fielder's choice and proceeded to steal second.
Game-winning single
Senior Quinn McCammon delivered the final blow when she lined a two-run single to center field that scored Young and Harmon to give Western Reserve a 2-0 advantage.
"She's [McCammon] a senior and a leader on our team," Serensky said. "Those are the type of plays that allow you to advance in tournaments. She came through when it counted."
In the bottom of the tenth, the Rams had an opportunity to answer, but fell short.
Heather Buckner was placed on second to lead off. Buckner advanced to third on a single by January Golden and scored when McCammon's attempt to throw behind Golden at first went awry.
Golden advanced to second on the error, but Harmon struck out the next two Rams to seal the win.
Harmon and Kaili Gehring of Mineral Ridge baffled the opposing offenses for much of the first nine innings.
Both pitchers threw complete games and went well above 100 pitches.
Harmon struck out eight and walked only one in the victory.
Even with the high pitch count, Harmon's stamina remained.
"Katie had the adrenaline going tonight," Serensky said. "She's a battler and looked strong even in the tenth inning. "Sometimes, as a coach it is tough to make the decision to switch pitchers, but Katie has earned the right to be out there when it matters most."
Gehring struck out six and walked none in the loss.