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Colonel Crawford eliminated Jackson-Milton
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Jackson-Milton’s Rachel Obradovich attempts a bunt during a Division IV regional semifinal against North Robinson Colonel Crawford on Thursday at Kent State University. Colonel Crawford eliminated Jackson-Milton, 2-1.
By Brandon Judeh
Kent
The scene was familiar for the Jackson-Milton softball team, unfortunately so was the result as the Bluejays fell to North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 2-1, in a Division IV regional semifinal at Kent State University.
Two crucial errors in the fifth inning allowed the Eagles to break a 1-all tie and eventually doomed the Bluejays (21-9).
Crawford’s Lexi Hoepf singled to left field with one out and a fielding error moved her to second. Hoepf then stole third successfully and scored the decisive run on a throwing error.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our freshman, Lexi Hoepf, executing that play flawlessly,” said Eagles head coach Chuck Huggins. “We took advantage of opportunities tonight.”
Hoepf finished 2 for 3 for Colonel Crawford (17-9).
Jackson-Milton threatened in the seventh inning.
With one out and nobody on, junior Rebecca Jones singled up the middle. Senior Rachael Obradovich followed with a single of her own, advancing Jones to third base.
After an Obradovich stolen base, the Bluejays had two runners in scoring position with only one out and Beth Ritchie at the dish.
Ritchie worked the count full and lined a looper to right field that landed foul by mere inches.
“Softball is a game of inches,” said Jackson-Milton coach Kelly Snowden. “If Beth Ritchie’s ball is a few inches to the left, then we’re scoring two runs and we’re ahead 3-2.”
Jackson-Milton seniors Obradovich, Zaina Sahli, Jennifer Troutman, Paije Kiraly and Caitlyn Carney led the Bluejays to back-to-back consecutive Division IV district titles and nearly everyone on the team has been a part of both of the school’s volleyball district titles in the past two years.
“These girls spend so much time together and most of them are three-sport athletes, they have such great chemistry,” said Snowden, who has been a part of Jackson-Milton softball as a player and a coach for more than 20 years. “They are great kids. I had such a great time coaching them. They are always willing to do anything I need them to and I’m really sad to see them go.
“I don’t want to get into too much trouble with any of my former players, but this group is my favorite I have ever coached.”
Things looked good early for Jackson-Milton as a first inning-run gave the Bluejays momentum.
Sahli led the inning off with a single and stolen base and Madison Tomaino moved her to third on a sacrifice fly.
Sahli did the rest when she raced home after a passed ball.
The Eagles answered in the third inning with a two-out RBI double by Bri Rankins to tie the game.
Last season the Bluejays lost in the regional semifinals to Mathews. Crawford moves on to play the defending Division IV regional champion Mustangs at noon on Saturday at Kent State.