Polar Bears KO Raiders 10-0

CLYDE – Lakota couldn't string the hits together that were needed to beat a tough No.1 seed Margaretta on Tuesday.The Polar Bears shut down the Raiders in a 10-0 defeat at Joe Wilson Field at Clyde Tuesday in a Division VI district semifinal."We challenged Margaretta because I believe in our girls and we are a good hitting team, but it didn't show tonight." Lakota coach Abby Brickner said.Margaretta (18-5) is a team that normally Lakota (11-11) would face in the regular season. When that didn't happen, Lakota decided to face them when bracket draws came up for the Division VI district tournaments."Anytime you pick a team, it's a personal challenge," Polar Bears coach Mike Williamson said. "We talked about it, and in order to beat the best, you have to play the best."One of Margaretta's best -- Cassidy Lane – was named most outstanding performer in the SBC Bay earlier Tuesday. She allowed one hit, one walk and fanned 11. Things didn't start out well for Lakota.Heading into the bottom of the second inning, the Polar Bears were two runs ahead of the Raiders.With two outs, Margaretta put the pedal to the floor. Ellianna Young grounded out to Lexi Moon, and drove in Tessa Lane.Then Lucy Edwards whacked a grounder and capitalized on a Lakota error that drove in Ellaynah Schaefer, making it 4-0.Lane doubled on a ground ball to center field that plated in Edwards.Brooke Hastings sent a fly ball up the middle, which drove in Lane and allowed Hastings to advance to second base, but she was stranded as Isla Palomo grounded out.Lakota tried changing pitchers to Sophia Bomer in hopes of slowing down the Polar Bears.Bomer pitched for 2 ⅓ innings, gave up four runs (one earned) on four hits, with one strikeout and two walks.Margaretta added on another four runs between the third, fourth and fifth innings."We told the girls to be selective and swing at strikes," Brickner said. "We came out of the gate swinging, but we couldn't string hits together and I think the two hits we did have were decent, but just we couldn't build that intensity up to get more."The hits came in the top of the fourth on two ground outs, one from Bomer and one from Jurovcik.But it was too little too late.For the five seniors, two are moving on to play collegiately, and will sign their commitment papers in front of Raider Nation this week. Those two are Moon and Chevelle Rubel.Brickner won't forget the seniors and their impact on the team, especially when next season rolls around."Overall, I think we had a great season," Brickner said. "This senior class is something special. They are definitely going to be missed."