Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct the score.
AKRON, Ohio – In its first-ever trip to the Ohio High School Athletic Association state softball tournament, Kings High School wasted no time dethroning the kings of the sport.
The Kings Knights (29-1) blitzed the reigning champion Riverside Beavers (27-5), winning the OHSAA Division II semifinal 7-1 at Akron’s Firestone Stadium. The Knights’ offense, led by sophomore Alexis Fera, put things away quickly with all five runs coming in the first two innings.
The bats were hot right out of the gates. After Grace Parkhurst and Julia Lowry got aboard with a single and double, respectively, Alexis Fera stepped up to bat. The sophomore came up huge with her eighth home run of the season, delivering a 3-run slam to dead center. The slam was no accident, as the Knights had been preparing specifically for what the Beavers No. 1 Pitcher Clara Granchi brought to the table.
“We knew that 85 to 90% of her pitches were going to be outside,” Fera said. “We had one of our former high school teammates come back and pitch us all outside this week, and that’s what really helped me to find the outside pitch and drive it to go yard.”
Kings continued to steamroll through the second, as Leah Mitchener drew a walk and Emma Myles doubled to put the pair in scoring position. Coming up right behind was Olivia Smith, who paid it off with a well-placed double.
The Beavers stemmed the bleeding in the third. Clara Granchi, the Oakland University commit, retired six straight through the third and fourth. The Beavers clearly felt the defensive confidence carry over into the offense, as they put their first run on the board in the top of the fifth. They stranded a runner at third, however, ending what could have been a significant slice into the Knights’ advantage.
But Fera wasn’t content with riding a four-run advantage across the finish line. In the bottom of the sixth as the leadoff batter, she crushed another shot over the centerfield wall for a solo home run. The Knights, now tasting a trip to the state finals, kept the pressure on as Emma Myles drove Madi Titler home to stretch the lead.
Just three outs away from history, the Knights turned to senior star right-handed pitcher Neely McElhaney. The Indiana University Indianapolis commit, who had given up just three hits up to the seventh, locked up the Beavers’ final plate appearances. Three up, three down, and the Knights celebrated their first trip to the state final.
McElhaney was proud of the preparation that went in to the pitching gameplan against Riverside but made sure to acknowledge her standout defense.
“I feel like we had a really great system going with pitch calls and scouting. We know they’re a great hitting team, but we came into the game knowing you just have to minimize the damage,” McElhaney said. “The defense has been grinding this past week, and it really showed tonight.”
The Knights had no shortage of motivation to come and blow out the defending champs. The Knights roster has largely been playing together since they were 6 years old, and they’ve grown together on the field.
At 10 years old, they were promised a party bus if they made it to state, so they’ve finally cashed in and have been rolling in style lately. For the seniors, the chance to go out on top has provided extra energy.
Even though this core is a familiar force around Cincinnati, the Knights feel that the rest of the state hasn’t taken note. Coach John Schablein said he often has to explain to opposing fans where Kings is using Kings Island, as they’ve otherwise never heard of the Knights. McElhaney said outside doubt has affected the team’s confidence in years past, but the Knights were determined to put that behind them.
“I think we just had to put in the work and actually believe we can do it,” McElhaney said. “I think this year we really just let loose and decided to have fun, especially coming into this game.”
But the motivation isn’t just to prove others wrong. Schablein announced earlier this week he would retire at the end of the season, concluding a 26-year coaching career across basketball and softball in Greater Cincinnati. In his three years at Kings, he’s turned in a 79-8 record and has a chance at No. 80 in his first-ever state title trip.
“To get a run with these guys in the last year, it means an incredible amount,” Schablein said. “We have one more game, but what a fun ride after 26 years.”
His players made no secret that they are giving their all to send coach Schablein out on top.
“They do so much for us, and we just really want to make it the best last year for them,” McElhaney said.
Schablein’s response? “You already have.”
Kings now awaits the winner of Westerville Central and Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit. They’ll face off in the state championship at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, in Firestone Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kings softball knocks of defending champs in state semifinals
Reporting by Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
