Ursuline, Springfield seek state titles today

Three individuals won state field titles and two teams go for crowns.

STAFF REPORT

It was a winning day for Valley athletes at state competition on Friday.

Ursuline’s softball team got untracked in the fourth inning of a scoreless game against Sandy Valley, then Sarah Ingalls hit a three-run homer one inning later as the Irish went on to a 7-1 win. Ursuline plays Hebron Lakewood today at 4 p.m. for the Division III state championship.

In baseball, Todd Kibby pitched a six-hit, eight-strikeout game, and Springfield rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie Newark Catholic in the fifth before adding two runs in the sixth for a 5-3 victory in a Division IV state semifinal at Huntington Park. Dylon DeJane’s double in the sixth scored Bryan Visingardi with the go-ahead run as Springfield (29-4) advanced to play Hamler Patrick Henry today for the state championship at 4 p.m.

In track and field, Crestview senior Jakob Leon, Mineral Ridge sophomore Dan Skiba and United senior Victoria Bates all captured gold. Leon captured the Division III high jump title and Skiba won the long jump, while Bates won the Division II discus title at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Competition continues today in Columbus.