Wednesday, May 21, 2014
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South Range baserunner Stevie Taylor (8) eludes Ursuline catcher Dana Creatore to score during their Division III district championship game Tuesday in Beaver Township. The Raiders won, 5-4.
By Tom Williams
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
Trailing by two runs with their eight, nine and one hitters coming up for what could be their final at-bat of the season, Ursuline High School head softball coach Michael Kernan figured the Irish had a great shot if the heart of the order made it to the plate.
An infield single and two uncharacteristic infield errors produced a run and had South Range straining to remain calm as the Irish loaded the bases.
But freshman pitcher Caragyn Yanek took charge, retiring Ursuline’s Stephanie Ohalek on a foul pop-up to secure the Raiders’ 5-4 victory on Tuesday in the Division III district championship game at South Range.
It’s the Raiders’ first district title since 2011. Last year, the Irish beat the Raiders in the title game.
“This is huge for us,” said South Range shortstop Stevie Taylor, the Raiders’ lone senior. South Range will play Independence in a regional semifinal game on May 29 in Massillon.
Junior Jessica Skirpak and freshman Lydia Baird each had two-out, two-run singles for the Raiders (24-5). Taylor was walked twice and scored both times.
“Clutch hitting was key — they got it,” Kernan said. “When [Christian Xenakis and Cassandra Hanuschak] got on base, I thought we were in good shape. In their previous at-bat, we rallied to score three to tie.”
Xenakis opened the seventh by beating out an infield single and Hanuschak reached when Taylor bobbled a ground ball. Yanek (13-3) struck out Megan Ross and Anny Carroll.
“Those were two big strikeouts,” Kernan said.
The game appeared to be over when Macey Gunther grounded to Taylor. But her backhanded flip to third baseman Taylor Helon was high, allowing Xenakis to score.
“I was really upset with myself because I didn’t make the plays that are routine for me,” Taylor said. “I was full of emotion.”
With first base open, the Raiders intentionally walked Makayla Shore to load the bases for Ohalek.
The wacky seventh inning was unlike most of the game when Helon and Taylor made strong defensive plays.
In the second inning with her back to the infield, Taylor made a running catch to retire Hanuschak. Two innings later, Gunther hit a one-out single and Shore popped up to shallow left field. Taylor backpedaled to make the grab, saw Gunther more than halfway to second base and fired a strike to first baseman Kendall Syms for a double play.
“I definitely didn’t,” said Taylor when asked if she thought she could catch Gunther. “I was just going on adrenaline when I saw how far she was.”
In the third inning, the Raiders jumped ahead 2-0 after Morgan Czopur led off with a bunt single. After Taylor and Jordan Youngs walked, Skirpak singled.
An inning later, Codi Taylor reached third base on an Irish error. First base coach Jeff DeRose told Czopur to race to second base where was tagged, allowing Taylor come in for a 3-0 lead.
Ohalek, Xenakis and Hanuschak scored as the Irish tied the game in the fifth inning.
The Raiders immediately responded with two runs as Baird brought home Helon and Stevie Taylor with a single to right-center field.
“I was really nervous,” Baird said. “I just prayed that it landed.”
The Irish (17-6-1) had eight starters return, including Gunther (Wright State), Carroll, McKenzie Stimpert and Dana Creatore.
“They were four-year starters,” Kernan said. “This is a special group. They are going to be sorely missed.”