S. Range moves on in Div. III

Staff report

LISBON

Less than two weeks ago, South Range defeated Cardinal Mooney in an epic pitcher’s duel.

Those softball teams will get their rematch today in the Division III district final at the Dickey Sports Complex, after the Raiders defeated Girard, 5-1, in the completion of their semifinal that was suspended from Tuesday.

South Range led 3-0 after three innings when play was suspended by darkness on Tuesday.

Girard (18-10) was able to get the first two runners on in the fourth, but South Range pitcher Carly DeRose (12-0) shut the door striking out the next three hitters.

“Their pitching is real good, but we didn’t hit,” said Girard coach Renny Paolone.

Girard’s only hit came in the first inning by freshman Kylie Kulon. Kulon also scored the Indians’ only run, which came in the fifth on an errant throw.

South Range’s Madison Yanek hit a solo home run in the fifth inning and had a RBI double into the right-center gap.

“I needed to make up for my error [in the fourth], so I had to come back with my bat,” said Yanek.

“I was thinking they were going to walk me [in the seventh],” Yanek said. “I was surprised they threw the first one right down the middle.”

As for the rematch with Mooney, Yanek said the Raiders are going to have to be focused.

“Some of us are actually going to hit tonight,” Yanek said. “I [hope] our pitching will throw [Mooney] off. We all throw at different speeds and have different movement on our pitches.”

South Range won that regular-season game, 1-0, on May 7.

“There wasn’t a whole lot that worked for us in the first game,” said South Range coach Don Feren. “From a fan’s perspective, it was a great defensive game but neither offense was really existent.

“We came out flat tonight, but somehow we got through it. If we play like that tomorrow, it will be a real quick one for us.”

“[Mooney’s] playing lights out right now, so if we don’t play well we’re going to get it pretty good,” said Feren. “I feel pretty confident with our pitching that one or two runs is going to win it.”