DIVISION IV SOFTBALL Western Reserve claims first district crown, 4-0

The Blue Devils defeated Windham with bunting and solid defense.
CORTLAND -- For Western Reserve High's softball team, it was history in the making. The Blue Devils defeated Windham 4-0 in the Division IV district championship game at Lakeview High School -- the first in school history.
The Blue Devils' bunting game was well-executed and accounted for the first run, which came in the third inning. Stevie Banks, who went 3-for-3, led off with a single. Courtesy runner Carlee Ripley advanced to second on a bunt and to third on an error, then scored on a sacrifice bunt by Andrea Martin.
"We were trying to place the ball in a gap and then read what the defense did," said Western Reserve coach Joe Serensky.
That first run built some momentum and Windham's defense was put to work. In the fourth, McKenzie Mowery sent a ball to deep right field for a standup triple, and scored a batter later. The fifth inning combined three Blue Devil singles with two Bomber errors, accounting for two more runs.
"Defense is great," Serensky said, "but getting those runs really demoralizes a team more than anything else."
Windham managed only one hit which came in the third inning by sophomore Serina Cleavenger. With two outs doubled to right-center, the inning was ended a play later on an out by the second baseman.
"The girls seemed to play relaxed," said Serensky. "I told them to make routine plays and things will happen."
Harmon's harmony
Senior pitcher Katie Harmon was the beneficiary of that defense, which committed no errors. She also had seven strikeouts.
"She gives our defense a chance," said Serensky of Harmon. "She throws a lot of sinkers and off speed and forces them to hit the ball on the ground. I tell her we don't need a lot of strikeouts."
Harmon admitted to being a little apprehensive about her shoulder after pitching a complete game on Wednesday against Mineral Ridge, but mentally she could not have been more prepared.
"We've really come together and I knew we were ready," said Harmon. "This is definitely the greatest game ever, but beating Mineral Ridge last night was also big for us."
Serensky didn't forget it, either.
"[Wednesday] we stranded many runners; today we were able to get the bat on the ball and get some runners in," he said.
Serensky also credited Windham pitcher Ali Roach for having a good fastball, but "her ball didn't move quite as much as some of the other pitchers we've seen. Facing Kalie Gehring [Wednesday], who also could throw hard, helped us out today."
Western Reserve finished with eight hits.
They will compete at the regional tournament Thursday at Kent State.
"The whole tournament has been awesome," said Harmon.
Added Serensky: "It's our 10th season and our first district title."
All the Devils can hope for is that the best is yet to come.