Crestview’s Katelyn Castle records an out against Lincolnview’s Lainey Spear during Friday[’s Division IV district final in Elida.
ELIDA — When it was given a second chance, Lincolnview took advantage of that chance.
After a 7-4 regular-season loss to their rivals, Crestview, the Lancers won 3-0 in the rematch in the championship game of the Elida Division IV softball District on Friday.
Lincolnview (19-9), last year’s state runner-up, will play Hopewell-Loudon at 5 p.m. Wednesday in a semifinal of the Gibsonburg Division IV regional. Crestview finished its season 21-6.
Lincolnview got a shutout from pitcher Taylor Post, who threw a four-hitter with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks.
The Lancers took the lead in the top of the first inning when leadoff hitter Makayla Jackman reached base on an error, moved up on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out before freshman shortstop Lainey Spear launched a double off the centerfield fence to score her.
Lincolnview added two runs in the top of the third inning. After the first two hitters of the inning were retired, Addysen Stevens reached base on an error and Spear hit a home run to make it a 3-0 game.
“Taylor threw a whale of a game. Both teams hit balls right at each other. There weren’t a bunch of hits. I don’t know how many balls they hit right back at Tay, but he made a lot of defensive plays,” Lincolnview coach Eric Schwab said.
Post fielded six balls and none might have been bigger than starting a double play after Crestview’s Kaylee Mollenkopf led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a single.
“This what we play for – a deep tournament run. The girls know that. That’s why we strengthened the schedule. Our record dictates that we have nine losses but six of those were against D-1 and D-2 schools. That’s why we strengthened it – for the tournament run,” Schwab said.
Reach Jim Naveau at 567-242-0414.
