Akron OH- The nightcap to a four game afternoon at Firestone Stadium in Akron saw the Tallmadge Blue Devils (24-6) square off with the Greenville Green Wave (23-2-1) for the final spot in the OHSAA DII State Championship game on Saturday vs the Canfield Cardinals.
Zoey Burns earned the start for the Green Wave, as Riley Jackson was called upon for the Tallmadge Blue Devils.
Skyler Fletcher doubled to lead it off for Greenville, making her way to 3rd on a groundout. Zoey Burns helped her own cause before even throwing a pitch with an RBI sacrifice fly to left. Ashlyn Zimmer popped out to end the frame. The Blue Devils collected a one out base hit from Leila Staszak. Nothing comes from it as Burns induces a fielders choice, and ending the inning with a strikeout.
Addie Burke reached on a one out error before Jackson ushered back to back walks to Kendall Cromwell and Kylie Hamm. Jackson bounced back with two consecutive strikeouts to end the frame before allowing any damage to be done. Katie Huth and Ashlyn Severns collect singles to start the second for Tallmadge. Mia Zappola laid down a one out bunt, advancing both runners into scoring position. Sydney Becks grounded out to first as Burns works out of the jam.
Kylar Arnett drew a leadoff walk for the Green Wave, setting up Zoey Burns to wave goodbye as she hits a two-run homer to left. Ashlyn Zimmer and Alaina Baughn both reach on errors, they both stand in scoring position as a two-run sacrifice fly from Addie Burke brings them home, giving the Green Wave a 5-0 advantage. Jackson forces a pop out to end the frame.
Lexi Gray's leadoff single is followed up by Leila Staszak's bunt single. Marley Queen pops one over the pitchers mound that drops, bringing home Gray for their first run of the game. Huth brings home the second run of the inning with her sacrifice fly as the Blue Devils cut the lead down to three. Severns goes down swinging to end the 3rd.
Jackson worked a quick three-up three-down 4th, adding two more strikeouts to her total. Zoey Burns worked a clean inning in the 4th, including a strikeout.
Jackson continued to roll through the 5th, as her defense recorded all three outs behind her. Gray and Staszak once again open the inning with back to back hits as Tallmadge looks to make a comeback. Both runners advance on a double steal, Jocelyn Caffelle flied out, driving in another run for the Blue Devils. Staszak advanced to 3rd on the sacrifice fly, Queen would drive her in with a grounder to third. Huth would be retired the end the 5th, 5-4 Greenville.
Burke's leadoff double quickly sparked the offense for the Green Wave. Cromwell reached on an error, the bad throw trickled to right field as Staszak would throw out Burke trying to score. Hamm reached first with a single. Jackson is able to work out of yet another jam with a strikeout, flyout. Emma Garbinsky collected a one out single. Garbinsky steals 2nd with two outs as Becks RBI single to left tied the game up at 5. Gray popped out to the the 6th.
Jackson worked a clean 7th, bringing Tallmadge up to bat with the game all square at 5. Staszak drew a leadoff walk, as Caffelle took a pitch off the hand to bring two runners on for the Blue Devils. Queen laid down a perfect bunt to bring both runners into scoring position. Katie Huth was intentionally walked to load them up for Tallmadge. Ashlyn Severns is the walk-off hero for the Blue Devils, lining an RBI single back up the middle to drive in Staszak giving Tallmadge a comeback win; 6-5 the final. The Blue Devils face off with the Cardinals from Canfield for the Championship on Saturday!
Riley Jackson went all 7 on her way to the win. She allowed 4 hits, 5 total runs (3 earned), walking 3 to go along with 6Ks,.
FINAL LINE:
RJ (W): 7IP 4H 5R 3ER 3BB 6K
The Blue Devils totaled 11 hits ; lead by Lexi Gray, Leila Staszak, and Ashlyn Stevens all collected multi-hit games for Tallmadge. Marley Queen added two RBIs as well.
FINAL STATS:
LG: 2-4 2R
LS: 3-3 3R BB
MQ: 1-4 2RBI
KH: 1-2 RBI BB
AS: 2-4 RBI
SB: 1-3 RBI
Zoey Burns worked six and a third allowing 11 hits, 6 earned runs with a pair of walks and 4 strikeouts.
FINAL LINE:
ZB (L): 6.1IP 11H 6ER 2BB 4K
The Green Wave offense mustered 4 hits; Skylar Fletcher, Zoey Burns, Addie Burke and Kylie Hamm. Addie Burke and Zoey Burns both had multi-RBI nights.
FINAL STATS:
SF: 1-4 R
ZB: 1-3 R HR 3RBI
AB: 1-2 RBI
KH: 1-2 BB
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