State softball: Elyria last hurdle for Lebanon in title quest

Another state championship opportunity awaits Lebanon High School’s softball team Saturday.

The top-ranked Warriors, Division I state runners-up in 2012 and 2015, will go after their first title at 10 a.m. when they meet Elyria at Firestone Stadium.

Lebanon coach Brian Kindell said he won’t be bringing up the past to his players.

“Not at all,” Kindell said. “Every team’s different. We just need to stay within ourselves and let the strengths and depth of our team work for each other. Hopefully that’s enough.”

Senior left fielder Chloe Allen said the Warriors (30-3) aren’t going to let this moment pass them by.

“It’s definitely time to get it done,” Allen said. “There’s not a doubt in my mind that we’re going to come out on Saturday as the No. 1 team in the state.”

Elyria (21-4) is a program with tradition. The Pioneers have made 12 trips to the Final Four and won championships in 2002 and 2009.

Yet veteran coach Ken Fenik, who has 545 career wins, said this team has been a bit of a surprise in 2017. Greater Cleveland Conference champion Elyria starts four freshmen, including pitcher Isabella St. Peter.

“If you had told me this at the beginning of the year, I probably would’ve said, ‘I don’t think so this year,’ ” Fenik said. “I’m very proud of these girls and the maturity the young ones have gained this year. They’re having fun with each other and playing for each other.”

Elyria only has two seniors, shortstop Madison Cruzado and second baseman Dierra Hammons. Cruzado is hitting near .600 and will play volleyball at the University of Notre Dame in the fall.

Freshman first baseman Riley Zana has already verbally committed to Ohio State and is hitting .605. St. Peter is a right-hander with a 17-3 record and an earned run average near 2.50.

Fenik said his crew has come a long way since absorbing consecutive defeats from Pemberville Eastwood, Richwood North Union and Akron Hoban at the Wendy’s Spring Classic in April.

“When we went back to Elyria, we knew we had to work on our defense a lot,” Fenik said. “We were still moving people around trying to get everybody in the right places. I’m a big-time coach as far as not trying to put the square peg in the round hole.

“Our league was not as powerful as it has been in the past, but we found ways to score runs. You always want your team to start playing their best at tournament time, and that’s exactly what’s happened with this group. They’ve earned every bit of PR they’ve gotten.”

Kindell got a scouting report from his coaches on the Pioneers, who beat Gahanna Lincoln 6-4 on Thursday.

“The consensus was they’re pretty solid in all three areas of the game — pitching, hitting and defense,” Kindell said. “They were impressed with their defensive abilities, their outfielders in particular. They have pretty good team speed and can hurt you in a variety of ways on offense.

“The one thing that stood out in my mind was that one coach felt they were really, really scrappy and played with a chip on their shoulder, so to speak. In my 13-year career as head coach, I’ve always had the highest amount of respect for Ken Fenik. He is truly one of the good guys out there in the state of Ohio.”

Fenik watched Lebanon beat North Canton Hoover 8-6 on Thursday and said the Warriors’ continuous offensive pressure is a concern.

“Lebanon’s loaded,” Fenik said. “From what I saw, it’s definitely going to be an upward challenge. They’re big, muscular girls that put the ball in play, and they play great defense. It’s definitely going to be a test for my young ones.

“We’re happy to be here. I really think going in, we’re going to stay loose. We probably have not played the schedule that Lebanon has played, but our girls never quit. If we can keep the game close, I like our chances at the end.”

The Warriors are looking to become the first Southwest Ohio team to win a D-I state softball title. Hamilton (1985) and Fairmont East (1982) were Class AAA champions.


Saturday’s game

What: Division I state softball championship, Lebanon (30-3) vs. Elyria (21-4), 10 a.m.

Where: Firestone Stadium, 1575 Firestone Parkway, Akron

Elyria state history: 12 appearances (1994, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017), two titles (2002, 2009)

Lebanon state history: Four appearances (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017), no titles

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