Margaretta softball run-rules Lakota, 10-0

CLYDE — Challenge accepted. Margaretta was the No. 1 seed in its Division VI softball district. Second-seeded Lakota lined up next to the Polar Bears on the bracket. It felt a little personal for the Bears, but to compete with the best, a team has to challenge the best. Lakota couldn't keep up with Cassidy Lane and the Margaretta defense. The Bears closed down the Raiders' season with a 10-0 five-inning shellacking in a district semifinal Tuesday at Joe Wilson Field. Margaretta (18-5) will face Wynford (9-12) at 5 p.m. Thursday in a district final in Clyde. "We came in with a team mindset today that everyone needed to contribute," Margaretta coach Mike Williamson said. "Cassidy did her job and did what we asked her to do, and she was pretty dominating." Lane, who was named Most Outstanding Performer in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division earlier Tuesday, took care of business. She allowed no runs, one hit, one walk and struck out 11. "I think we are really good competitors," said Lane about her team. "Our team wants to win a lot. I feel like I need to perform well so our team can keep performing well. Having such a successful season, we have to hit the ball every time." Headed into the bottom of the second inning, the Polar Bears were two runs ahead of the Raiders (11-11). With two out, Margaretta put the pedal to the floor. Ellianna Young grounded out to Lexi Moon to drive in Tessa Lane. Lucy Edwards whacked a grounder and capitalized on a Lakota error that drove in Ellaynah Schaefer, making it 4-0. Cassidy Lane then doubled on a ground ball to center field that plated Edwards. Brooke Hastings sent a fly ball up the middle that drove in Cassidy Lane and allowed Hastings to advance to second base, but she was stranded as Isla Palomo grounded out. Lakota tried changing pitchers to Sophia Bomer in hopes of slowing down the Polar Bears. Bomer pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits. Margaretta added on our runs between the third, fourth and fifth innings. Wynford advanced with a 13-2 win over South Central in Shelby. Lily Laipply had three hits for Wynford and Erin Wolfe homered and drove in four runs. With Wynford up next, Cassidy Lane offered some advice to her teammates. "I'm really excited coming up with a big win, but we can't let it get to our heads," she said. "It's back to a 0-0 mentality Thursday. You can't let the win get to your head or otherwise you are one and done." Lakota 000 00 —0 1 6 Margaretta 242 11 — 10 8 0 WP: C. Lane LP: Bomer. 2B: (M) C. Lane. 3B: (M) C. Lane