Unbeaten Lebanon rolls over Northmont

The Lebanon softball team saw an impressive run come to an end Wednesday afternoon at West Carrollton High School, but none of the Warriors seemed too bothered by it.

Probably because the more important streak is still alive.

Northmont ended Lebanon senior pitcher Tara Trainer’s no-hit bid with two outs in the seventh inning and later pushed across a run to become the first team to score against the Warriors during the tournament. But that was just a minor footnote in the wake an offensive onslaught that produced a 14-1 victory to run Lebanon’s record to 31-0 and move the Warriors into Saturday’s regional championship game against the winner of today’s Mason-Springboro semifinal.

“That’s a great team and a quality program, and I am surprised by the score,” Warriors coach Brian Kindell said of the Thunderbolts (22-8).

The Warriors led 3-0 with two outs in the fifth when a grounder went through the legs of a Northmont infielder, leading to three unearned runs. Lebanon added three more in the sixth and five in the seventh to score in double figures for the sixth time in eight games.

Kim Frank, Brianna Hutchinson, Kirsten Reed and Alex Gibson each collected three hits to lead the 18-hit attack.

Trainer (17-0) had more than enough run support. She struck out 11 and allowed four Northmont batters to reach base — three on errors, one on a walk — before Thunderbolts pitcher Amanda Rose hit a solid single to left to break up the no-hitter.

“It happens,” Trainer said. “So, oh, well, I guess. I was just trying to get outs and get the win.”

Emily Ritchie followed Rose with an infield single that plated Kendall Benning with the first run Lebanon has allowed since May 6.

The Warriors, who have outscored their opponents 77-1 in five tournament games, play in their fourth consecutive regional final Saturday at noon at Northmont.

Granville 8, Northwestern 1: The Warriors surrendered five runs on two hits, a pair of errors and four walks in the second inning, and their surprising run through the postseason came to an end in the D-II regional semifinals at Mason.

Northwestern (24-6) was making its second straight regional appearance, despite graduating six All-Central Buckeye Conference players last year and having no seniors. Granville (25-6) advances to play the winner between today’s Hamilton Ross/Greenville game on Saturday in the regional final.

Newton 7, Convoy Crestview 6: Winning pitcher Kristen Rappold went the distance and Newton tallied three runs in the top of the seventh inning to win a D-IV regional semi at Tippecanoe. Madison Mollette had three hits for the Indians. Newton will play the winner of today's Covington/Triad game in a regional final on Saturday also at Tipp.

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