STATE SOFTBALL \ Division III semifinals

Who: Ursuline (26-5) vs. Magnolia Sandy Valley (24-5).

When: Friday, 12:30 p.m.

Where: Firestone Stadium, Akron.

Radio: WKBN-AM 570.

Directions: Follow I-76 west to Akron to I-77 south (exit is on left), follow I-77 two miles to Wilbeth Road, turn right on Wilbeth Road and proceed one-and-a-half miles. Firestone Stadium is on the right.

Other semifinal: Hebron Lakewood (28-4) vs. Columbus Bishop Ready (23-6).

State title game: Saturday, 4 p.m.

How they got there: The Irish defeated United, 6-1, and Champion, 3-2 in nine innings in the Lisbon district. At the Massillon regional, Ursuline defeated defending state runner-up Wellington, 2-1, and West Salem Northwestern, 3-2 in nine innings. In regional play, the Cardinals defeated Elmwood (3-0) and Archbold (1-0).

Irish lineup: Here’s the probable lineup for the Irish who won the final Steel Valley Conference crown with a 6-0 record — Center fielder Rebecca Hartz, senior, .330 batting average; first baseman Kasey Foley, junior, .398; catcher Sarah Ingalls, junior, .418; shortstop Anna Donko, junior, .387; second baseman Miranda Carkido, senior, .272; right fielder Krista Byers, junior; pitcher Casey Lower, junior; left fielder Malikka Caige, junior, .296; third baseman Kelli Kolenich, sophomore, .270. Lower has an earned-run average of 0.69. She has struck out 319 and walked 29.

Irish history: Ursuline has made six regional appearances since 2002, Coach Michael Kernan’s first season. In 2006, the Irish lost the regional title game to Champion, which finished state runner-up. Kernan was an assistant coach for Sean Durkin’s girls basketball team and was on the bench when Durkin’s squads won the 2004 state title and finished state runner-up in 2006.

Sandy Valley scouting report: The Cardinals rely on senior pitcher Allysa Lancaster (20-5) who has an earned-run average of 1.18. Their top batters are: senior shortstop Shaynna Johnson (.457 batting average, two homers, 14 doubles, 32 RBIs); junior catcher Danielle Grooms (.385, 12 doubles, 30 RBIs); sophomore third baseman Kelli Mohr (.389, 15 RBIs, 23 stolen bases; and senior first baseman Nicole Skropits (.388, 18 RBIs, 23 stolen bases).

Tom Williams