MACEDONIA, OH- Tallmadge Senior Lexi Gray stepped up to bat one final time against the Buckeye Bucks in the Division II Regional semifinal at Memorial Field in Macedonia. Buckeye pitcher Lilly Young threw a pitch that Gray sent into the air in left field. Buckeye left fielder Faith Shaw made the catch ending the Blue Devils season and their massive senior-class high school careers. The freshman Young stepped up to the challenge today, striking out 10 and only giving up one unearned run on seven hits to the defending champs propelling the Bucks to their first ever Regional Championship game.
"It felt really good. I mean, we've never made it this far, and being like this far, I was really nervous, and I just went with it," Young said postgame.
Young, a freshman with immense potential, delivered an outstanding performance on the field. Her contribution was instrumental in the Buckeye's victory today, leaving Bucks fans in anticipation of her future in the sport.
Early on, Tallmadge pitcher Riley Jackson had a rough outing. Jackson walked seven batters and hit one. She walked three batters in a row with bases loaded in the bottom of the 3rd that would change the entire course of the game.
Buckeye junior Kwynn Czerwony had big single that was instrumental in them scoring their 4th run of the game.
"I was really excited about that. I just knew I had to do something for the team. I just went up, and I was hoping to get a hit and trying to be confident up there, so I was really proud of that," Czerwony said.
In a historic moment, the Buckeye Bucks secured their place in the Elite Eight, a feat never before accomplished in school history. The Bucks will now face the Canfield Cardinals at 5 p.m. Friday evening back at Memorial Field for the Division 2 Regional Championship as they look to continue their impressive journey.
The Tallmadge Blue Devils season comes to an end after a hard-fought matchup with the Bucks. The Blue Devils will look to replace a strong senior class heading into next season.
Stat leaders:
Buckeye:
Kelsey Metter: 2/3, BB, RS
Madison Lichty: 1/2, 2 BB, RS
Casandra Minerchick: 3 BB, RBI
Lilly Young: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K - BB, RBI
Tallmadge:
Lexi Gray: 2/4, 2B, RS
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