LAGRANGE — The South Amherst Slammers slugged their way into the OGSO state tournament Thursday night, but not without a struggle.
The 10-and-under Slammers took a seven-run lead into the bottom of the seventh inning at LaGrange Community Park. It was almost not enough.
Grafton rallied for five runs and had a runner at third when the game ended. The Slammers won a 14-12 thriller that animated a big crowd.
With the win, South Amherst claims one of two Class A Lorain-Medina district championships and moves on to the state tournament in Wellington on July 19.
In the other Class A district final, Wellington’s Li’l Bullies trounced Grafton Nancy’s Diner, 18-3, earning a state tournament bid.
With all five diamonds at the Community Park softball complex hosting games, three Class C (14-and-under) state tournament spots were also decided.
In what was expected to be the headliner, Keystone Ford Builders mercy-ruled the Wellington Lady Dukes, 16-0, in five innings. Spencer Trimline Die defeated the Wellington Lightning, 6-1, and New London shut down the North Ridgeville Lady Rangers, 6-1.
Ford Builders put their game with the Lady Dukes out of reach with an 11-run second inning in which they sent 15 batters to the plate.
“I was very proud of the way the girls let their love for the game shine through,” said Keystone coach Steve Bowers. “They like to pound the ball and they love to play defense. They know that defense always keeps you in the game.”
Catcher-infielder Taylor Ford had three singles for Keystone, first baseman Allison Broschk had two and third baseman Kailey Summers had a single and double.
“I was pretty relaxed when I was at bat,” Ford said. “We always want to go for state and I’m happy that we’re going. It was a good team effort.”
Ford Builders played flawless defense, lending credibility to Bowers’ assessment. Among the busiest Keystone defenders was Broschk, a left-handed first baseman who ordinarily is in center field.
“I’ll play anywhere the team needs me,” she said. Then she added: “We hardly ever make errors, but if someone does, the rest of the team is there to back you up.”
Pitcher Ann Marie Kirchner struck out six for Ford Builders (16-0).
“I throw a fastball, change-up, drop and screwball,” said Kirchner, who takes pitching lessons from former Keystone High coach Dave Leffew. “Tonight, I threw mostly fastballs and change-ups. We’ve been playing strong all season, but it’s going to get a lot tougher now.”

Class C

New London blanked North Ridgeville despite two singles by pitcher Kailey Demarco, who struck out seven. And Spencer eliminated Wellington Lightning on the strength of two two-run innings, the first and second.

Class A

In the high-scoring thriller, Grafton took a 5-2 lead on South Amherst in the first inning. But South Amherst scored three runs in the third and four in the fourth for a 9-6 lead. The Slammers added two more in the sixth and three in the seventh for a 14-7 lead just three outs from the end.
South Amherst’s Mary Michel hit a single, double and triple to lead the offense and Grafton pitcher Lauren Landers hit a single and double. Landers struck out six.
Wellington routed Grafton as Logan Simmons struck out 12 and belted two doubles. The Li’l Bullies’ Emily Shumaker hit a single and double.
OGSO district tourney

Thursday’s results
Class C (14-and-under) finals
Keystone Ford Builders 16, Wellington Lady Dukes 0
Spencer Trimline Die 6, Wellington Lightning 1
New London 6, North Ridgeville Lady Rangers 0
Class A (10-and-under) finals
South Amherst Slammers 14, Grafton 12
Wellington Li’l Bullies 18, Grafton Nancy’s Diner 3
Today’s games, 6 p.m.
Class B (12-and-under) finals
Winners to state tourney
Amherst Nitros vs. Medina Heat
North Ridgeville Lady Rangers vs. Midview Royal Sports
Saturday’s games
Class D (18-and-under)
Semifinal game, 10 a.m.
Sheffield vs. Wellington, Field 5
District finals, 1 p.m.
Winners to state tourney
Sheffield-Wellington winner vs. Midview North, Field 5
Medina vs. South Amherst, Field 4
Litchfield vs. Lorain, Field 3
Amherst vs. Oberlin, Field 2 

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