South vs. North softball: Rebels set up showdown with Madison

The rubber match is on.

With a 10-4 win over North on May 16, the South softball team set up a winner-take-all rubber match in the Division I district at Mentor on May 17.

Madison won, 3-2, on its home field earlier in the season, with South taking a 15-11 decision recently at FOE Field in Willoughby.

“It’s definitely exciting to get back to the district championship,” Dodson said. “We’re going to have to come out with guns a’blazin’ tomorrow.”

South scored early and often against North, with two runs in the first and five in the second. But when North put a four-spot on the board in the fourth, it was a one-run game.

Playing North for the third time this season, including the second tie in five days, isn’t easy, Dodson said. South defeated North, 11-1, at the end of last week.

“Absolutely it’s hard,” she said. “That’s the third time they’ve seen (pitcher) Riley (Frizell) this year. Live and learn. We survived and tomorrow is a new day.”

Kristen Jesberger hit a home run to help offset North’s rally. Jesberger, a senior catcher, also had a double and finished with three RBI.

Freshman Kenna Matriano doubled twice and drove in three.

Frizell got the win on the mound.

Dodson said her team, the champions of the Western Reserve Conference, is looking forward to round three against Madison.

“Both teams can hit the ball and both have really good pitchers,” she said. “I think it’s going to come down to good defense and who gets the clutch hits. That’ll be who wins the game.”

Don’t miss