Prep roundup: softball, baseball

VW independent sports

Softball

Lincolnview 11 Columbus Grove 1 (six innings)

ELIDA — No. 7 Lincolnview exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth and defeated Columbus Grove 11-1 in the Division IV district semifinals at Elida on Monday.

Allie Miller cracked a three run homer in the bottom of the sixth and finished with two hits, five RBI and a run scored. Taylor Post, Grace Brickner, Lainey Spear and Emma Bowersock each drove in a run. Post, who was named NWC Player of the Year earlier in the day, allowed just four hits while striking out seven and walking three.

The Lancers (22-4) will face Patrick Henry for the district championship at 5 p.m. Friday at Elida, with the winner advancing on to next week’s regional semifinals. Patrick Henry defeated Miller City 10-6.

Baseball

Crestview 5 Patrick Henry 2

CONVOY — Bryson Penix, Connor Sheets, David Cereghin and Evan Hart each drove in a run and Crestview defeated visiting Patrick Henry 5-2 on Monday. Hunter Jones had two of Crestview’s eight hits.

The Knights (13-5) will host Fort Recovery or Waynesfield-Goshen in the Division IV sectional finals on Thursday.

Lincolnview 5 Kalida 2

On senior night, Lincolnview snapped a 2-2 tie with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and the Lancers went on to defeat Kalida 5-2 on Monday. The game may have served as a sectional championship preview.

There were just four hits in the game – three by Lincolnview. Aiden Hardesty pitched the first five innings and allowed two runs (zero earned) on one hit with five strikeouts and four walks. Gavin Evans and Jack Dunlap pitched the remaining two innings, with Dunlap striking out two.

In the bottom of the sixth, Max Hammons and Austin Bockrath scored on back-to-back bases loaded walks and Caleb Buehrer scored on a wild pitch.

The Lancers (17-6) will host Kalida or Ottoville for the Division IV sectional championship on Thursday.