High school softball: Baby raccoon steals the show as Wadsworth rolls over Medina Christian

WADSWORTH — The Wadsworth softball team found itself a new mascot named Mr. Willy Wonka on Tuesday. The athletes formerly known as the Grizzlies had a ton of laughs and took plenty of photographs with the orphaned infant raccoon that freshman Delayna Demiter's grandfather, Greg Gordon, rescued from the side of the road earlier that afternoon. Gordon brought the raccoon to his daughter April to help nurse it back to health until it is ready to be released back into the wild. April Gordon works for MedVet, an emergency veterinary and specialty care center in Akron. "Oh, it was so cute," Emily Gerber said. "It was unexpected, to say the least, but it was adorable." Not everyone was as enamored. "I was scared of it," senior Jillian Swain said. "I'm not going near that thing. I'm afraid it's going to give me a disease or something." That was just the beginning of surprises and new experiences on this senior day, as Mr. Willy Wonka brought Wadsworth more than enough good luck in a five-inning 11-1 non-league win over Medina Christian Academy. The Knights (0-7) got their only hit when junior Madison Dors smacked a ball back up the middle in the second inning that tipped off pitcher Ally Capella's glove and found a gap between a trio of Grizzlies on the infield. Division IV Medina Christian battled until the end, with Bella Melnychuk scoring on a wild pitch after leading off the fifth by being hit by a pitch from Jenevieve Swain. The Knights stranded Lydia Young on third base to keep them from extending the game. The D-I Grizzlies proved a tough matchup for Medina Christian, which is in its first season as a program. The majority of the Knights do not have much if any experience with organized fastpitch. "This is all new, but it's been a lot of fun," Dors said. "I think we've seen a lot of improvement already, and I'm super proud of the team. It's been crazy to see where we were in our first game to where we are now. I think that's a win for all of us." Medina Christian players also were fascinated by the raccoon, with a number of them coming to the backstop prior to the game, where Demiter's younger sister, Sylvia, was caring for Mr. Willy Wonka. Wadsworth, which played as conservatively and respectfully as it could have offensively, batted around and scored six runs in the first, with Gerber doubling and Jessie Crookston, Jillian Swain, Lauren Ball, Maggie Katafiasz and Maggie Gerschutz getting singles. Crookston and Jillian Swain were celebrated before the game as the team's only seniors. "Jessie is a really good friend," Swain said. "I was really excited to share this night with her specifically. We had good support from our teammates. It was a great night." The Grizzlies (9-9) have bounced back from an 0-6 start to win five of their last six games. They give the seniors a lot of credit for the turnaround. "We've definitely had a pretty rocky season so far, but I think we've definitely gotten better," Demiter said. "The seniors are a big part of that. We are definitely going to miss them next year." After the first inning, Grizzlies first-year coach Chad Williams pulled eight starters, including both seniors. Gerber was the only player to stay in the game and recorded a single, double, two runs and three RBIs. To keep his seniors involved, Williams called on Crookston to coach first base and Swain to coach third. "I was not prepared for it at all," Swain said with a chuckle. "I've never coached third base before, or first, but they are very coachable. So it was fun." The final surprise came after the game when a party bike came to pick the players up for a tour of the city. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com. Wadsworth 11, Medina Christian 1 (5 inn.) MEDINA CHRISTIAN 000 000 1 — 1 1 3 WADSWORTH 620 3x — 11 12 0 WP — Ally Capella (1-0) 2 innings, 0 runs, hit, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts. LP — Addison Wolf 4 innings, 6 walks, 0 strikeouts. Medina Christian (0-7). Wadsworth (9-9) — Emily Gerber single, double, 2 runs, 3 RBIs.