AKRON — Madison softball’s Cinderella run continues on Friday, June 5 as they take on Louisville in the Division III state semifinal softball game at Akron Firestone Stadium.
The Rams took down Shelby in the Division III district semifinal game with a 5-1 victory before knocking off Celina 10-2 in the district championship game. They then cruised to a 7-0 victory over Ontario in the regional semifinals to make their second straight trip to the regional championship game. There, they ended a 31-year drought winning their first regional championship since 1995 beating Uniontown Lake 3-1.
Now, they take on Louisville for a chance to play for the program’s first state championship.
Here is how it all went down.
Top of the first inning: Louisville strikes first with an Anna Sirohman solo home run
Leah Claugus: Strikeout. One out. | Anna Sirohman: Solo home run. Louisville leads 1-0. | Katelynn Miller: Strikeout. Two out. | Addy Campbell: Strikeout. Three outs.
Louisville got on the board first in the top of the first inning when Anna Sirohman drilled a one-out solo home run to centerfield. Madison’s Caliyah Clapper settled down and struck out three in the inning.
Bottom of the first inning: Rams go down in order, Katelynn Miller strikes out the side, Rams trail 1-0
Izzy Wamsley: Strikeout. One out. | Lexi Lewis: Strikeout. Two Outs. | Caliyah Clapper: Strikeouts. Three outs.
Louisville’s Katelynn Miller strikes out the side in the top of the first. After 1: Louisville leads Madison 1-0.
Top of the second inning: Clapper efficient in 1-2-3 inning. Rams trail 1-0.
Kaitlin Twinem: Strikeout. One out. | Shaelyn O’Neill: Groundout to shortstop: Two outs. | Bailee Griffith: Fly out to left. Three outs.
Madison’s Caliyah Clapper had an efficient inning sitting Louisville down in order in the top of the second.
Bottom of the second inning: Rams put two on but strand them. Trail 1-0.
Campbell Kiser: Pop out to third. One out. | Allie Shrader: Walk. | Chloe Jeffers: Single to leftfield. | Makena Berkshire: Strikeout. Two outs. | Sophie Lowe: Strikeouts. Three outs.
The Rams put two runners on base after Allie Shrader drew a one-out walk followed by a Chloe Jeffers single, but they get stranded and first and second. Rams trail Louisville 1-0.
Top of the third inning: Louisville threatens but Rams shut it down. Madison trails 1-0.
Taylor Thompson: Strikeout. One out. | Maggie Baker: Single to rightfield. Steals second. | Leah Claugus: Pop out to first on bunt attempt. Two outs. | Anna Sirohman: Pop out to third. Three outs.
Louisville puts a runner on but can’t threaten any further. Leopards still lead Madison 1-0.
Bottom of the third inning: Wamsley lays down a drag bunt but gets stranded. Rams trail 1-0.
Avery O’Brien: Strikeout. One out. | Izzy Wamsley: Bunt single. | Lexi Lewis: Pop out to third on bunt attempt. Two outs. | Caliyah Clapper: Strikeout. Three outs.
The Rams get a runner on when Izzy Wamsley laid down a perfect drag bunt with one out, but the Rams can’t move her. They trail Louisville 1-0.
Top of the fourth inning: Clapper dominant in the inning. Rams trail 1-0 with momentum.
Katelynn Miller: Strikeout. One out. | Addy Campbell: Strikeout. Two outs. | Kaitlin Twinem: Lineout to pitcher. Three outs.
Caliyah Clapper was dominant in the fourth inning striking out two and catching a soft liner right back to her. Rams trail Louisville 1-0.
Bottom of the fourth inning: Rams tie it up on Berkshire RBI single to right. 1-1.
Campbell Kiser: Walk. Steals second. | Allie Shrader: Strikeout. One out. | Chloe Jeffers: Pop out to catcher. Two outs. | Makena Berkshire: RBI single to right scoring Campbell Kiser. | Sophie Lowe: Strikeout. Three outs.
The Madison Rams tied things up at one on a massive two-out RBI single to right from freshman Makena Berkshire. Campbell Kiser drew a leadoff walk and stole second to get in scoring position. After the next two batters got out, Berkshire roped the game-tying base knock to right. Madison and Louisville are tied at 1 apiece.
Top of the fifth inning: Rams come up with massive defensive play to keep it tied 1-1
Shaelyn O’Neill: Single to center. Steals second. | Bailee Griffith: Groundout to pitcher. O’Neill advances to third. | Taylor Thompson: Failed squeeze bunt, O’Neill gets picked off at third for the second out. Strikeout. Three outs.
The Rams came up with a huge defensive play when Taylor Thompson’s failed to lay down a squeeze bunt and Makena Berkshire fired to third to get O’Neill out at third base. The big play preserved the tie at 1-1.
Bottom of the fifth inning: Rams squander perfect scoring opportunity. Stay tied with Louisville 1-1.
Avery O’Brien: Single up the middle. | Izzy Wamsley: Bunt single. | Lexi Lewis: Infield fly, One out. | Caliyah Clapper: Strikeout. Two outs. | Campbell Kiser: Lineout to third. Three outs.
The Rams missed a perfect scoring opportunity after Avery O’Brien started the inning off with a single and Izzy Wamsley followed up with a bunt single. The next three batters flied out, struck out and lined out to end the threat. Madison and Louisville are tied at 1.
Top of the sixth inning: Louisville goes down 1-2-3. Game still tied at 1.
Maggie Baker: Groundout to second. One out. | Leah Claugus: Groundout to pitcher. Two outs. | Anna Sirohman: Single to center. | Katelynn Miller: Groundout to shortstop. Three outs.
Madison’s Caliyah Clapper was smooth again in the circle allowing no runs and no hits in the sixth inning. Rams still tied with Louisville 1-1.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: LIVE UPDATES: Madison softball in Division III state semifinal game
Reporting by Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal | USA TODAY Network
