REGIONAL SOFTBALL

REGIONAL SOFTBALL

Previews of today’s games

DIVISION II

POLAND VS. MOGADORE FIELD

When: 5 p.m.

Where: Akron Firestone Stadium.

Records: Poland 27-0; Field 25-2.

What’s going on: Both teams will take the field know who their opponent will be in a regional final as the second half of a doubleheader with Perry and Crestwood playing each other at 2 p.m. Poland is undefeated is coming off a 3-1 victory against fellow regional qualifier Bristol on Monday in a regular-season tuneup. The Bulldogs’ last tournament game was a 7-6 win over Ursuline in a district final six days ago. Junior Brooke Bobbey picked up the win against Bristol and has had a quality season on the mound alongside senior Ashley Wire, the probable starter today. Field is coming off its first district title since 2009.

DIVISION III

CHAMPION VS. SOUTH RANGE

When: 5 p.m.

Where: Massillon Washington High School.

Records: Champion 26-2; South Range 20-7.

What’s going on: Champion is going for its third consecutive state title and its sixth in the past nine seasons. The Golden Flashes boast junior pitcher Allison Smith, an Ohio State commit for softball and the Vindicator’s Softball Pitcher of the Year in 2018. Sophie Howell, who also pitches, appears to be just as good. In fact, Howell has thrown three perfect games this season. Bree Kohler is the Raiders’ top pitcher. South Range once upset Champion, 6-1, in a 2016 regional semifinal. That year marked the last time the Raiders won a district title and finished the season as the state runner-up. The winner of this game will face the winner of a semifinal between West Salem Northwestern and Wellington on Saturday at noon.

Brian Dzenis, The Vindicator