Little Miami makes district softball finals for first time since 2010

While it was no surprise to see Mason and Lebanon rolling through the postseason softball tournament, there was one welcomed newcomer.

Little Miami.

The Panthers advanced to the district finals for the first time since 2010.

Little Miami, the 10th seed in Cincinnati, advanced to the district finals (May 19) with a 7-6 win against fourth-seeded McAuley at the beginning of last week.

The win over McAuley was the fifth straight for Little Miami and its seventh in the last 10 games.

Little Miami opened the tournament with a 7-5 win over eighth seed Turpin before recording a five-inning, mercy rule 15-3 win over Oak Hills.

Lebanon, the top-ranked Division I team in the latest state coaches poll, and Mason, ranked seventh, have had no problems claiming sectional crowns.

Mason claimed its eighth straight sectional title with a 13-0 run-rule win over Anderson.

The Comets opened the tournament with an 11-0, five-inning win against Seton and had out-scored opponents 24-0 as they headed into the district finals May 19.

Lebanon, which had its string of sectional titles ended last year, claimed its seventh title in eight years with a 12-1, run-rule win over fifth-seeded Troy.

Lebanon opened the tournament with a 22-0 win over West Carrollton before scoring a 20-0 win over Ponitz.

Through three tournament games, the Warriors have out-scored opponents 54-1.

Kings lost in the first round, 2-0, to eventual sectional champ Harrison.

Lebanon and Mason could meet for the regional title. The teams have hooked up in the regional tournament five of the last six years.

Lebanon won the regular season game 2-0 on a two-run home run by Alex Strother. Strother also went the distance in the circle.

Baseball: Sectional finals were slated for later in the week with a trio of local teams still standing.

Sixth-seeded Mason was scheduled to face St. Xavier on May 18 after opening the tournament with a 5-1 win over Wilmington.

Seventh-seeded Lebanon battled to a 2-1 win in nine innings over Lakota East and faced fifth seed Loveland for the sectional title.

Kings, which entered as the 12th seed, opened the tournament with a 10-3 win over Little Miami.

The Knights advanced to the sectional final against second seed Fairfield with a 10-3 win over Harrison.

• The regional tournaments are May 24 and 27 for softball and May 25 and 26 for baseball with the winner advancing to the state semifinals

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