DIVISION III
#2 ranked West Liberty-Salem will bring their lofty 31-1 record into the first D3 matchup on Thursday in Akron against unranked and lesser-known Wellington. Wellington, led by All-Ohio Honorable Mention outfielder Carrie Gleisner, was a 5-0 winner over Akron Manchester, and pitcher Melanie Conklin shined in a one-hit shut out. Gleisner shined herself for Wellington when she had a double in the sixth inning to send in two more insurance runs for her team to advance to their first state final four. Things won't be so easy when they face the Tigers of West Liberty-Salem. Coach Lanay Detwiler's team has been solid all season and rocked North Union's world in a 4-1 victory in the regional finals. Pitcher and All-Ohio Honorable Mention pitcher Emily Kauffman was the top offensive option for the Tigers in the win against North Union, though WLS's stud all-season has been First Team All-Ohio short stop Abby Ledford. In the second matchup, #1 Hebron Lakewood, an 8-5 winner over Wheelersburg in regional finals, will do battle with #3 Bloomdale Elmwood, who defeated Colonel Crawford 4-2 to advance to the final four for the first time. Lakewood is the only team that's been on the big stage before (2002) when they finished as state runners-up. Elmwood's five seniors fell just short in 2005 as freshmen when they suffered a devasting defeat to Sycamore Mohawk, 7-6. Elmwood's First Team All-Ohio pitcher Brittany Dauterman is one of the best in the state. Too bad they will likely be without her after she suffered an arm injury in the regional win. That will make things even more difficult for Elmwood as they face the #1 team in D3 which is led by Second Team All-Ohio and Honorable Mention players Allissa Birkhimer (P) and Lindsay Barrett (C), respectively.
Wellington: 1 State Appearance (08)
West Liberty-Salem: 1 State Appearance (08)
Bloomdale Elmwood: 1 State Appearance (08)
Hebron Lakewood: 2 State Appearances (02, 08)
All-State Players to Watch: 1st Team-Brittany Dauterman (injured) (Elmwood, P), Abbey Ledford (West Liberty-Salem, SS); 2nd Team-Alissa Birkhimer (Lakewood, P), Brooke Morgart (Elmwood, SS); Honorable Mention-Linday Barrett (Lakewood, C), Cassie Gleisner (Wellington, OF), Emily Kauffman (West Liberty-Salem, P)
Predictions: West Liberty-Salem over Wellington /Hebron Lakewood over Elmwood
State Champs: Hebron Lakewood
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