Valley success at state

Athletes from the Valley brought home much success on Friday at state tournaments.

Ursuline defeated Sandy Valley, 7-1, in a Division III softball semifinal at Firestone Park in Akron. Pitcher Casey Lower had a shutout for six innings and Sarah Ingalls hit a three-run homer.

Also, Springfield rallied for a 5-3 win over Newark Catholic in a Division IV baseball semifinal at Huntington Park in Columbus behind pitcher Todd Kibby, who tossed a complete game.

And the area’s top track and field athletes took part in the first day of the state meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University. Jakob Leon of Crestview and United’s Victoria Bates won state titles in Division III to highlight the first day of action.