Poland Bulldogs deliver on high expectations

Coming off a 27-4 season that ended with a 1-0 loss in the regional final and the departure of just one starter, expectations were high for Poland High’s 2010 softball season.

The Bulldogs certainly exceeded those expectations, sweeping their All-American Conference Red Tier slate on their way to a 30-win season and a berth in the state championship game.

Leading the way on the mound and at the plate was sophomore Erin Gabriel. She batted .560 in the leadoff spot and compiled a 21-1 pitching record, surrendering just five earned runs in 141 innings.

“Last year, we only made it to the regional final and that was kind of a disappointment for us,” Gabriel said. “This year, we had one goal and that was to win state. Unfortunately, we fell just one run short.”

Poland’s 25-game winning streak ended with a 1-0 loss to Hebron Lakewood in the Division II state title game at Akron Firestone Stadium.

But what a thrill ride the Bulldogs took their families and friends on by dominating tournament play. Gabriel fired no-hitters against Hubbard, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin and Navarre Fairless plus a five-inning perfect game against Ashtabula Edgewood where she struck out all 15 batters.

Gabriel pitched despite pain in her forearm over the final month that was first thought to be tendinitis. After X-rays were taken, a stress fracture was discovered.

While Gabriel and classmate Jenna Modic ignited the Bulldogs’ offense, Gabriel called seniors Megan Hirschbeck, Nicole White, Jessica D’Apolito, Jordan Palumbo and Alexys Shields “definitely the heart and soul of our team. I can’t say enough about them, what they did for us.” Gabriel said her regular-season highlight was an extra-inning 2-0 win over Elyria “just because they were the defending Division I state champs. We knew we had to play beyond what we were doing. That was definitely inspirational, to know that we could do [play with the best].”