Bulldogs stopped in semis

June 2, 2012 at 12:10a.m.

AKRON

In avenging last year’s Division II state final loss to Poland, the undefeated Keystone High softball team managed just one more hit against Bulldogs ace Erin Gabriel.

But both of the Wildcats’ singles on Friday brought home runs while pitcher Kenzie Conrad (24-0) limited Poland to three singles in Keystone’s 4-0 rain-interrupted victory in the state semifinals at Firestone Stadium.

“They had two timely singles,” said Poland coach Reid Lamport after the final game of his 23-year career. “That was a good team out there, no question about it.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my girls, they battled right to the very end,” Lamport said. “We put the bat on the ball early and I thought good things were going to happen, but it didn’t.”

Gabriel, the University of Tennessee recruit and a member of USA Softball, struck out 12 batters, hit one and uncharacteristically walked five — three consecutively in the fifth inning as a steady rain fell. The Wildcats scored three times, with Brittany Bowers scoring the third run by racing home after a wild pitch that landed 10 feet short and about five feet wide of home plate.

Home plate umpire Chad Miller then stopped the game and the tarps were placed on the field for a rain delay of nearly two hours

Gabriel said her control problems stemmed from wet balls.

“I kept asking for a new ball and I just couldn’t find a good one to use,” said Gabriel (16-2). “I hate to say it was the conditions but when there wasn’t any rain ...”

The Bulldogs were unable to mount a sustained threat against Conrad, who lost last year’s title game by a 4-0 score. Marissa Trevis singled to start Poland’s first at-bat but did not advance past second.

Taylor Miokovic led off the second inning with a single but was stranded at third base. Maura Bobby opened the third inning by reaching on an error, but was erased on an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

In the first three innings, Carleigh Herrington was the only Wildcats batter to reach base when she was hit by a pitch. Bulldogs catcher Meredith Testa fired a strike to shortstop Kalie Benson to erase pinch-runner Morgan McNulty trying to steal.

The Wildcats(31-0) took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Erin Pond drew a lead-off walk, took second on a sacrifice and came home on Conrad’s single to right-center field.

With one out in the fifth inning, Alisha Silva drew a one-out walk, stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Alyson Broschk and Bowers then worked full-count walks to load the bases.

Pond sent Gabriel’s next pitch past shortstop Benson and third baseman Jenna Modic into left field, allowing Silva and Broschk to score for a 3-0 lead.

After the rain delay, Gabriel allowed one walk in the final nine batters of her varsity career. Conrad was equally masterful, surrendering only a two-out single to Modic in the sixth inning.

“She kept it low on us so we couldn’t drive it,” Modic said. “She had her low-ball working for her today — we just kept hitting into the ground.”

The Wildcats’ defense recorded 17 of the 21 outs.

“It’s not a good feeling because I didn’t want to stop playing with these girls,” said Modic who will pitch and play third base for Miami University next season. “We had our own little family here. But I wish the underclassmen the best of luck next year.”

Gabriel said the loss “should not define what we’ve done the past four years. I thank all the people for their support — we had a great turnout every game we played.

“And the coaching staff — can’t get a better one.”

In addition to Gabriel and Modic, Poland’s other seniors are Benson, center fielder Maura Bobby, second baseman Emily Chandler and outfielder Amber Isaacson.

Lamport ends his career with four trips to state, including the last three seasons.

“How many coaches wouldn’t want to be where I am at, as blessed as I am and to be able to coach the type of talent that I’ve had on this team for 23 years,” Lamport said. “I look on it with mixed emotion but 23 years good years; hey, it’s somebody else’s turn now.”

Poland finished the year with a record of 27-3.