- South Range took advantage of two Tuslaw errors to score six runs in the first inning.
- Solena DeJesus and Anna Aey hit home runs for South Range.
- Freshman Kaydence Chapman had an inside-the-park home run in the fifth inning for Tuslaw.
BEREA — It took one inning for the Tuslaw High School softball team to settle in during its Division III regional semifinal softball game against South Range at Roehm Athletic Complex. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, it turned out to be one inning too many.
The Raiders took advantage of two Mustang errors in the bottom of the first inning to score six runs to set the table for a 10-2 victory on Wednesday. The inning was highlighted by a massive two-run home run by South Range sophomore Solena DeJesus that hit the scoreboard beyond the centerfield fence.
"Nerves may have come into play a little bit," Tuslaw head coach Cayla Mattox said. "We've had situations like that a lot this season where we have given teams some extra opportunities early. It's hurt us before but in some situations we've been able to stop the bleeding and bounce back. Things just kind of snowballed on us today."
Tuslaw had four errors total on the afternoon. South Range took full advantage of them. DeJesus was 2-for-3 and added a single. Anna Aey was 2-for-4 for the Raiders with a two-run homer and a ground rule double. Keira Brogan also went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for South Range.
"We came out and played really well today," South Range head coach Jeff DeRose said. "They are a darn good hitting team but fortunately for us they made some mistakes and we capitalized on them. We've done a good job of that all season. I was happy the girls kept the pedal to the metal and never let up."
South Range starting pitcher Jayla Wilt held Tuslaw to six hits, and single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
"I was very happy with Jayla's effort today," DeRose said. "She has had a couple of rough innings over the last couple games but we really didn't see that today. She pitched a hell of a game and helped us come out with a big win."
Shaylyn Fox singled and scored on a passed ball in the fourth for the Mustangs. Freshman Kaydence Chapman, who was 2-for-3, provided the big highlight of the day for Tuslaw in the fifth, with an inside-the-park home run.
"That was big for Cadence," Mattox said. "Her biggest issue this season has been lacking confidence at times. I think as the season has progressed we have seen her start to believe in herself and that hit was a testament to that. We expect her to be a big part of our lineup in the coming years."
Tuslaw ends the season with a 17-9 record. The Mustangs will lose catcher Kylie Johnson, pitcher Camryn Kiefer and third baseman Annebelle Liebig to graduation.
"Our seniors all gave us great effort all season," Mattox said. "They provided great leadership. They were always smiling, pushing the others around them hard and giving the team everything they had. ... I can't tell you how proud I am of this whole team. We replaced half our starters from last year and still managed to go further than that team."
Reach Cliff at cliff.hickman@cantonrep.com
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