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Warren ready for defending state champs Lakewood

The Warren softball girls celebrate their victory at the district tournament final earlier this year.

Warren High will be the underdog when it plays top-ranked, defending champion Lakewood in a D2 regional tournament softball semifinal at Pickerington Central Wednesday at 5 p.m.

But then, what else is new?

The fifth-seeded Warriors (13-12) haven’t been favored to win since their postseason play began on May 10. They were after all under .500 record-wise with a 9-12 mark.

But all the royal blue and white nine has done is post a 4-0 playoff mark with wins against fourth-seeded Unioto (9-2 score), top-seeded Jackson (7-0) in a sectional showdown, third-seeded Circleville (5-3), and No. 1-seeded Sheridan (8-5) in a district final.

“We played a tough schedule during the regular season to prepare the girls for the tournament,” said WHS skipper Jenny Lynch. “And, they’ve just kept battling and fighting. Right now, they believe in themselves and believe they can beat anybody. They’re not intimidated.”

Make no mistake about it, Lakewood (26-1) figures to be a big challenge, and Warren certainly has the utmost respect for the Hebron-based school. But the Warriors don’t fear the Criss Nadolson-coached Lancers.

“I’ve watched Lakewood play, and they’re a solid team,” Lynch said. “They have everything — pitching, power, defense.”

Warren’s also a solid team with momentum going into the game. Against Sheridan, the Warriors rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to win.

Junior righty Sarah Greenlee is expected to be in the circle for the Warriors. She got off to a slow start against Sheridan but got stronger as the game progressed.

“Sarah throws strikes,” Lynch said. “She hits her spots and has good control.”

Greenlee also has a good defense behind her.

Going around the horn, Olivia Shutts will catch. As a Belpre transfer, she had to sit out Warren’s first 13 games. Since she’s been able to play, she’s been a big boost and stick for the royal blue and white squad.

Shutts actually played her first couple of games at second base but has been moved to the backstop position.

At first base will be Grace Way; second, Chloe Corser; third, Lizzy Williams; shortstop, Diamond Decker; in left field, Emilie Mallett; in center, Avery Grayson; and in right, Hannah Yoho.

Against Sheridan, Grayson, Williams, Shutts, Mallett, and Way each had two hits and combined to drive in five runs.

Yoho is the only senior starter. The other seniors on the team, who could see action are Katie Rauch and Taylor Cross.

If Greenlee falters in the circle, Decker can throw.

Warren is expecting to take its swings again Lakewood hurler Courtney Vierstra. The 6-foot Lancer senior right-hander is a Miami University of Ohio recruit, who was 21-0 with a 0.50 ERA in the circle en route to a state championship last year.

“She’s a hard thrower and a very good pitcher,” Lynch said.

Vierstra, a three-sport athlete, tossed a one-hitter in the Lancers’ 10-0 six-inning triumph over Bloom-Carroll (18-12) in the district tilt.

Lakewood also can hit the ball and hit it with power. Against Bloom-Carroll, the Lancers slugged three homers with shortstop Megan Davis, first baseman Brenna Brownfield and catcher Tigan Braskie each blasting one.

Alexa Perry and Vierstra chipped in with run-scoring singles while Bray Wilson walked with the bases-loaded.

Lakewood’s only setback this spring was 15-3 to Walsh Jesuit of Cuyahoga Falls in Wendy’s softball invitational tournament last month. The Lancers later avenged that loss with a 1-0 win versus WJ on May 6.

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