Poland falls in district downer

Ashtabula Edgewood scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to win 3-2.
By JIM FLICK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
JEFFERSON - The Poland High softball team slammed two home runs Wednesday, but lost its Division II district title game, 3-2, to Ashtabula Edgewood when a line drive trickled down the left field line in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Ashtabula Edgewood (22-3) advanced to a regional semifinal game today against Notre Dame Cathedral Latin.
For Ashtabula Edgewood, the game was a matter of turnabout being fair play. The previous three years Edgewood's seasons ended with losses to Poland.
"It was our turn," Edgewood coach Shelley Monas said.
The game was scoreless until Poland left-fielder Kari Thompson slammed a home run to center field in the fourth inning.
But the 1-0 lead only held up until the bottom of the inning. Edgewood scored its first run when three consecutive players singled. A second run scored on an infield hit. But Poland first baseman Ciera Urichich alertly fielded the grounder, tagged out the runner at first base and made a sharp throw to home to cut down a runner to end the inning.
"Ciera made a great double play, or it would have been worse," Poland coach Reid Lamport said. Even after Urichich's play, Edgewood led 2-1.
Back and forth
Poland (21-4) drew even in the top of the seventh, when pitcher Liz Maher slammed a home run to left field.
But in the bottom of the seventh, Edgewood shortstop Trisha Delinski walked to lead off and stole second base. Delinski scored the winning run when Edgewood right-fielder Jackie Baird slapped a soft hit that kicked up chalk as it bounced down the left field line.
"Edgewood had their best base runner in the perfect place at the perfect time," Lamport said.
"I don't think even a perfect throw could have gotten her out. I was just hoping that it would go foul."
Not enough
Ironically, Poland recorded the better offensive statistics. Each team was credited with five hits, but while the Bulldogs pounded out two home runs, all of Edgewood's five hits were singles. Urichich also singled for Poland.
"What surprised me is us not getting more runners on base," said Lamport, who pointed out that his team entered the game with a .360 team batting average, yet both times Poland players slammed home runs, the bases were empty.
"It would have been nice to have somebody on base," he said.
The difference, Monas pointed out, was that the Edgewood hitters clustered their hits in the fourth inning, when three consecutive singles and an infield grounder scored the two runs.
The coaches agreed that pitching was the key to the game.
Referring to winning pitcher Megan Dragon (15-1), Monas said, "Today, Megan kept us in the game. But Megan always keeps us in the game."
In fact, the pitching statistics were nearly even. Dragon and Maher each pitched the entire game and each recorded three strikeouts.