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S. Range tops Lisbon softball
By Jon moffett
North Lima
Two pivotal plays were all that separated Lisbon and host South Range in the Division III sectional softball final Friday.
Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, both of those plays benefited the Raiders (26-1) in a 4-0 home win.
The first play came in the top of the fourth inning. With runners on second and third, South Range pitcher Madison Yanek’s pitch got away from catcher Laura Biroschak. Katy Crismon sprinted home and appeared to slide under Biroschak’s tag, but the home plate umpire indicated she was out.
Crismon was the final out of the inning, and was the Blue Devils’ only real threat on the base paths all game.
Lisbon coach Dave Crismon said from where he was standing, the runner looked safe.
“It looked to me like the catcher was trying to give the ball to the pitcher actually, and then decided to try and get her at the last minute,” the elder Crismon said. “That’s a huge play, because it would’ve given us a 1-0 lead, and all of a sudden our girls are up.”
The second play was far less controversial, but had a much greater impact on the game.
In the bottom of that inning, Lisbon pitcher Lauren Ketchum gave up a single and two walks to load the bases with one out. Following a strikeout, No. 9 hitter Gab Naples hit a three-run double to break the game open. It was only the second hit of the game for South Range.
“The girl before me struck out and I was like ‘oh my gosh,’” Naples said. “I was a little nervous, but I needed to keep my composure and get it done for my team.”
Raiders coach Don Feren said Naples is deceptive in the ninth spot in the lineup because of her ability to put the ball in play.
“The last 10 games of the year, she’s really been hitting the ball well for us,” Feren said. “Everyone thinks that the No. 9 hitter can’t hit, but she’s one of our best hitters. So when we move her down there, she can take advantage of it.”
Hits were at a premium for both sides.
Ketchum allowed just five hits, and Yanek gave up only a lazy single in the sixth inning. Both coaches said they knew the pitching would be the strength of the game.
“We knew it would be a tough day,” Feren said. “We played them at the beginning of the season, and I think it was 3-1 in the first game, and 4-3 in 10 innings the second game.”
Crismon said he knew it would be tough for his team to get on base against a good pitcher like Yanek. He added that he and the Blue Devils (13-11) will be cheering for the Raiders throughout the postseason.
Crismon said that he is excited about next year. Since the team has no seniors — it graduated six last year — the entire team will be intact.
Feren said his team is entering “one-game season” time and hopes for a deep playoff run.
The Raiders will play Girard on Monday. The game will be played at Lisbon at 4:30 p.m.