The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Lakota East softball to face Wayne in regional semi

High school sports results for May 26
5/26/12
Wayne boys win team track title
5/25/12
Bellbrook tennis duo advances to semifinals
5/25/12
Jefferson grad takes lessons from Miami Heat cousin
5/25/12
T-Bolts excited for state debut
5/25/12
> More high school headlines

By Steven Matthews, Staff Writer 2:37 PM Wednesday, May 25, 2011

LIBERTY TWP. — Lakota East High School’s softball program has been around for 14 years, and half of those seasons have resulted in a district championship and a trip to regionals.

The Thunderhawks (26-2) — the top-ranked Division I team in the state — will take on Huber Heights Wayne (16-10) at 5 p.m. Thursday in a regional semifinal at Mason.

“It feels good,” said East coach Steve Castner, who led the program to its first Final Four last year. “It’s one of those things where if you get there once, you like the taste of it and you want to get there again. Next year will be the same way. We enjoy this time of year. We embrace it, and it’s a lot of fun for the coaches and players.”

While this is familiar territory for the Thunderhawks, this is the Warriors’ first trip to regionals. In fact, this postseason has marked Wayne’s first sectional and district championships.

“We are treading in uncharted waters,” ninth-year Wayne coach Joe Yount said. “The girls are looking forward to testing themselves against the best team in the state and I know they’re not going to back down from it. They’re used to having their backs against the wall. It’s another time where nobody is expecting a lot from them.”

Senior right-hander Sara Pearson (21-2, 0.29 ERA, 235 Ks), a Memphis signee, will be in the circle for East, while Wayne will counter with senior righty Nicol Chesley (15-7, 1.73), who will pitch at Malone University.

Senior SS Angie Clark (.411, 15 RBIs, 16 SBs) is the sparkplug for the Warriors’ offense.

“It really seems that the bigger the game, the better Nicol pitches,” Yount said. “She’s throwing the ball where she wants to. ... We have five seniors who are determined not to lose their last game, and so far they’re coming through when we need them to.”

Pearson (.378, 6 HRs, 33 RBIs) and senior catcher Kelly Hardison (.400, 8 HRs, 33 RBIs) are the Thunderhawks’ leaders offensively.

“The girls have worked extremely hard in preparing for this,” Castner said. “Those that have been here before, they know how precious and how important each and every game is. The young girls — even with their youth — are excited to be here.”

The winner advances to play No. 5 Glen Este (24-4) or Lakota West (19-4) in a regional final at noon Saturday at Mason.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.

What: Division I regional semifinal

Who: Lakota East vs. Huber Heights Wayne

When: 5 p.m. Thursday

Where: Mason Middle School

Share this article