Champion, Poland go for titles today

By Tom Williams | June 4, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

AKRON

After Champion’s 5-2 victory over Clear Fork earned the Flashes a berth in this morning’s Division III softball state title game, one question stumped pitcher Lindsay Swipas.

How early area players need to be awake in order to be ready for a 10 a.m. start?

“I don’t even know,” Swipas said, prompting a laugh from teammate Haley McAllister.

Manager Cheryl Weaver solved the issue.

“They’re not going to like when I have the bus ready to go at 6:45,” said Weaver who will be coaching in her second state title game in six seasons when Champion (26-0) takes on Liberty Union (27-2) at Firestone Stadium.

Three hours later, Reid Lamport will coach Poland (24-2) in the Div. II championship game against LaGrange Keystone (32-1). It will be Lamport’s third state title contest in 11 seasons.

Poland is back in the championship game a year after losing to Hebron Lakewood, 1-0.

Third baseman Jenna Modic, who had two doubles and solo homer in Thursday’s 14-2 win over Tippecanoe, said experience is helping.

“I definitely think that everyone is starting to calm down,” Modic said. “Being here last year, everyone [already had felt] the feeling that we we experienced this year, so every one was more comfortable. Everyone was just relaxed and looked for their pitch and they drove their pitch.”

Lamport said there is little for him and his coaches to do.

“The thing I need to focus on is to keep my mouth shut, quit coaching, it’s all done.” said Lamport, who has 501 career victories. “I’ve really got to focus and let them do what they know how to do.”

Thursday, Champion’s fans were strongly outnumbered by a rowdy crowd. Weaver said her team should expect another boisterous atmosphere.

“It’s going to be noisy and loud and it’s going to be exciting,” said Weaver, who added that her advice again will be to “enjoy the excitement ... but when we go up there to hit, we’re relaxed and calm.”

The Flashes, champions of the AAC Blue Tier, know little about Liberty Union from Baltimore, a town near Columbus.

“I just hope that we keep playing like we do, we don’t put any [extra] pressure on ourselves,” Swipas said. “Because this is what we do, we know how to win, we know that we can do this.”

The Bulldogs know just about everything about Keystone, one of the two teams to defeat Poland this season.

In April, Poland had a 3-1 lead when errors helped the Wildcats score three unearned runs against Bulldogs ace Erin Gabriel (15-1).

“The wheels fell off a little bit,” Lamport said.

The Bulldogs are anxious for another chance against Keystone pitcher Kenzie Conrad (22-1).

“It’s amazing being in the state championship game, but since it’s Keystone it gives [us] a little more incentive,” Gabriel said. “A little bit of payback coming, I hope.”

Modic said playing Keystone has the Bulldogs inspired.

“We’re just going to come out with some high energy and turn it up, and hopefully we get the win,” Modic said.

Weaver is equally thrilled for the Flashes.

“I’m just excited, I looking forward to this,” said Weaver.