State softball this weekend

What: Division IIIWhere: Brookside Park, AshlandIf you go: Follow I-76 west of Akron to I-71 south, proceed 20 miles to the Ashland exit and follow state Route 250 through Ashland. About a mile past the downtown, watch for a sign on the right for Brookside Park.Schedule: Semifinals Friday: Brookville (25-3) vs. Champion (20-6), 3 p.m.; Bloom-Carroll (24-7) vs. Genoa Area (27-1), 5:30 p.m. The final is Saturday at 5:30 p.m.Scouting report: Champion will be making its fifth appearance at state. The Golden Flashes won in 1978, 1980 and 1994. Champion's last appearance was in 2004 when the Golden Flashes lost to Monroe Central in the semifinals. Monroe Central was the eventual champion in 2004. Kasey Karr (11-2) will start for Champion (20-6). Karr has signed to play at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. She's the first Champion pitcher to commit to a Division I program since Jackie Beavers went to Tennessee following the 1995 season.Batting order: Jaclyn Carpenter (SS), Kasey Karr (P), Hillary Beachy (1B), Katie Saluga (C), Emily Hayes (2B), Cara Popadak (3b), Ashley Rable (CF), Jackie Knepp (RF), Nicole Weaver (designated player), Brittany Skeels (flex). Carpenter, Karr, Beachy, Hayes and Popadak -- all infielders -- are seniors who graduated prior to last week's regional championship game in Massillon. The catcher, Saluga, is a freshman.
John Bassetti