Canfield vs. Willoughby South softball: Frizell, Rebels take control in regional semifinal victory

Akron >> South coach Erin Dodson is used to seeing her team plate much more than four runs in game. After all, the Rebels entered their Division I regional semifinal against Canfield scoring almost 10 per game.

But with sophomore Riley Frizell in the circle, South had all the offense it needed to defeat the Cardinals, 4-2, at the University of Akron’s Jackson Field May 23. South advances to the regional final on May 26 against Massillon Perry.

Frizell held Canfield scoreless for the first five innings while the Rebels built a lead. The Missouri commit held the Cardinals to three hits and two runs — one earned — while she struck out three and walked one.

“Riley did everything she needed to do,” Dodson said. “She had that game in control from start to finish.”

Frizell also spurred South’s offense. She went 3-for-4 with two RBI out of the No. 3 spot in the order.

Frizell plated Matriano with a single to left-center in the third for the game’s first run. She sent Matriano home again in the fifth with a line drive to right-center for a 2-0 South lead.

Canfield pitcher KaiLi Gross kept the South offense from compiling a big inning and Dodson lamented the runners her team left on base. Frizell, pitching at the regional level for the first time, appreciated the opportunity to match up with a talented counterpart on a big stage.

“It’s really fun,” Frizell said. “Everyone always says I’m that different kind of kid because I like all the eyes on me and I like all the pressure and stuff. Being in that situation, I feed off the pressure and do my best.”

Matriano went 3-for-4 and drove in a run in the sixth to put South ahead, 3-0. While she teamed with Frizell to constitute much of the team’s run production, the Rebels are used to more crooked numbers on the scoreboard.

“Usually it doesn’t happen like that,” Matriano said. “Our offense, it wasn’t like it usually is today. I think we were a little nervous but once the game started, more people started to see the ball.”

Canfield capitalized on a South error to score twice in the sixth inning and pull within one, 3-2.

Raegen Williams’ RBI groundout in the seventh added an insurance run before Frizell retired Canfield in order to close out the Rebels’ win. Dodson noted, with the exception of a bunt single, South played one of its best defensive games to back Frizell.

“We’ve given up some big innings and our offense had to pull us out of that,” Dodson said. “But really, just the little bunt mishap right here, that was it. I can live with that.”

The continuation of the Rebels’ season is a representation of the team’s grit.

“We’ve had some challenges this season and they have responded,” Dodson said. “They have done everything they needed to do. I’m proud of them, mentally tough and just gritty kids that are just going to fight for everything.”

Frizell called the chance to play for a state trip a dream come true for the Rebels, the first softball team from the Western Reserve Conference to win a regional game.

“Ultimately, we’re doing this for us and our coach but, in a way, we’re representing our area,” Frizell said. “We are good enough, we can do this and we’re making a name for the WRC and Northeast Ohio.”