Freshman Tara Trainer strikes out 17

CLAYTON, Ohio -

The Lebanon Warriors blanked the Oak Hills Highlanders 5-0 to win the regional championship in softball at Northmont High School and advance to state in Akron June 1 and 2.

Warrior freshman pitcher Tara Trainer came out on fire striking out the side in the first and second innings of today’s battle with Oak Hills. But junior pitcher Lauren Slatten struck out five in her first two innings to keep pace.

Trainer said the unusually high May heat really bothered her and she got a big break between the fourth and fifth innings when the home plate umpire was struggling with that same heat and had to take a 25 minute break to cool down and change out with the first base umpire.

Lebanon ’s Samantha Showalter led off the third with a hit to left, the Warriors first of the game. Sophomore Kayla Frank then slapped down a bunt to advance Showalter but Highlander third baseman Jess Sherlock threw it away and both runners advanced into scoring position.

Casie Hutchinson walked and that set the stage for the biggest battle of this game. Cleanup hitter Kaitlyn Bergman fouled off several Slatten pitches on her way to a full count before she pulled one over the leftfield wall for a two out grand slam and it was 4-0 just like that. The hit was the only one of the day for Bergman but it was the only one Lebanon would need.

Casie Hutchinson added an RBI double in the fourth to make it 5-0. She was 1-4. Kayla Frank and Vanessa Lay each added two hits on the day.

Tara Trainer finished with 17 strikeouts and the 30-1 Warriors will play 26-2 Elyria at Firestone Stadium in Akron June 1 at 5:30.