High school softball: Brecksville beats Wadsworth on basepaths

BRUNSWICK — The Wadsworth softball team saw its season end Monday at the hands of a very familiar opponent. The No. 13 Grizzlies knew what to expect from Suburban League National Conference champion Brecksville but failed to slow the second-seeded Bees' high-speed offense in an 11-0, five-inning Brunswick Division I District semifinal. "Their baserunning is always really tough to defend," freshman center fielder Lauren Ball said. "I think we did as best as we could, but knowing they are going to run is a mentality you have to get used to." Brecksville (24-3) stole eight bases to give it 230 on the season and pressured Wadsworth (10-12) into indecisive throws that led to extra bases. The Bees scored six runs in the third inning to break open the game. "We have to show up every game, make our plays and do what we're supposed to do," Wadsworth coach Samantha Harvey said. "If we don't do that, they put pressure on." Brecksville, ranked fifth in the state by the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association, will face seventh-seeded Brunswick in the district final Wednesday. The Blue Devils beat St. Joseph Academy 9-8 in 10 innings. Future Kentucky Wildcat Chelsea Mack sparked the Brecksville offense, recording two singles, two runs and three stolen bases. Mack has 67 stolen bases and 50 runs, and her batting average dropped to .728 after left fielder Val Stupak caught a fly ball in the fourth inning. "They know what they are doing and have a high IQ," Harvey said. "You can tell they are confident in the way they play, the way they communicate and everything that they do." Brecksville pitcher Anna Wise gave Wadsworth just as much trouble on her way to a two-hit complete game with six strikeouts. Grizzlies leadoff hitter Jessie Crookston began the game with a single but was erased on a fielder's choice. The inning ended when Wise struck out Sophia Fry and Stupak was caught stealing by catcher Brooklyn Kimball. Wise, who threw 42-of-56 pitches for strikes and started 12-of-16 hitters with one, continued to face the minimum until Ball lined a base hit up the middle with one out in the top of the fifth. Ball stole second base to become the only Wadsworth player to reach scoring position. "She was starting everyone inside," Ball said. "We needed to recognize that and attack early, but she hit her spots really well." Wise also contributed offensively with a pair of doubles, one run and an RBI. Kaleigh Urbanowicz and Zoey Pontikos also each had two hits. The Grizzlies had won four of their last six games and are set to return seven of their nine starters in 2023, including pitcher Taylor Keck, who leads Medina County with 118 2/3 innings and 121 strikeouts. "We were just trying our best to play the game we know how to play," Ball said. "That was our coach's goal for us, and hopefully next year we can have the same mentality to start the year that we finished with." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com. Brecksville 11, Wadsworth 0 (5 inn.) Brunswick Division I District Semifinal WADSWORTH 000 00 — 0 2 2 BRECKSVILLE 116 3x — 11 12 0 WP — Anna Wise (22-1) 5 innings, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts. LP — Taylor Keck (10-9) 5 innings, 7 earned runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts. Wadsworth (10-12). Brecksville (24-3) — Chelsea Mack 2 singles, 2 runs, 3 stolen bases; Kaleigh Urbanowicz 2 singles, 2 runs; Grace O' Malley single, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Wise 2 doubles, run, RBI; Brooklyn Kimball double, run, RBI; Zoey Pontikos single, double, run.