The Chagrin Valley Conference delivered a massive postseason showing Thursday night, highlighted by district championships in softball from Perry and West Geauga and several dramatic baseball victories across Northeast Ohio.
Haylee Reed blasted a walk-off home run to send Perry softball to regionals, while Cole Twardokus delivered a walk-off hit for Hawken baseball. Sam Barcikoski starred in Berkshire baseball‘s playoff win with a dominant complete game and a clutch home run, and Jefferson, Madison, and Perry baseball all advanced.
Perry Softball Walks Off Into Regionals
Haylee Reed crushed a first-pitch walk-off home run in the seventh inning to give Perry a 3-2 win over Hubbard and a Division IV district championship.
Sophie Sivon drove in two runs and tossed a complete game, allowing just one earned run with six strikeouts. Arianna Rogers scored once and made a key defensive play during a third-inning double play, while Emma Brainard added a hit and a run. Morgan Winters walked three times for the Pirates.
Perry improved to 23-5 and advanced to a Division IV regional semifinal at Clyde on May 27.
West Geauga Softball Claims District Crown
After falling behind 3-0 early, West Geauga softball stormed back for a 7-3 win over Edgewood softball to capture a Division IV district title.
Morgan Atwara delivered the biggest swing of the night with a three-run homer while finishing with three RBIs. Dayana Malone and Peyton Gambatese each had two hits, while Ava Borz tripled and scored. Faelynn Beckrest doubled and scored, and Malory Lear added a hit and an RBI.
Lely Percassi earned the complete-game victory with seven strikeouts.
The Wolverines improved to 21-5 and advanced to face Elyria Catholic in a regional semifinal at Kent State University on May 27.
Hawken Baseball Rallies Late
Hawken erased a two-run deficit with a dramatic late comeback to defeat Benedictine 3-2.
Miles Hamilton went 2-for-3 with a run, RBI, and walk, helping ignite the comeback in the sixth inning. Cole Twardokus tied the game together with strong relief pitching before delivering the walk-off RBI single in the seventh. Ethan Gipson struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings, while Eli Mester added an RBI single.
The Hawks improved to 20-7 and advanced to host Gilmour Academy in a district semifinal on May 26.
Jefferson Baseball Advances
Jefferson baseball leaned on timely hitting and strong pitching in a 4-2 win over Hubbard.
Tate Hudson went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI while also earning the win in relief. Joey Sands scored once, walked twice, and started on the mound, while RJ Cotton added an RBI double. Logan Padgett scored twice, and Mason Kalil drove in two runs with a double and a sacrifice fly.
The Falcons improved to 17-5-1 and advanced to play at Orrville in a district semifinal on May 26.
Berkshire Gets Huge Night From Barcikoski
Sam Barcikoski dominated on both sides of the ball in Berkshire’s 5-1 win over Southeast.
Barcikoski struck out 10 in a complete-game effort while also hitting a home run and driving in four runs. Patrick Brancel added three hits, two doubles, and an RBI for the Badgers.
Berkshire improved to 11-12 and advanced to the district semifinal round on May 27.
Madison Baseball Explodes Offensively
Madison baseball erupted for 10 runs in the third inning during a 16-2 win over South.
Daniel Schultz homered and drove in two runs, while Nathan Yarnell collected three hits, including a triple. Luke Gibbons drove in three runs, and Eddy Gvora added three hits and earned the win on the mound.
The Blue Streaks improved to 10-8-1 and advanced to play University School in a district semifinal on May 26.
Perry Baseball Rolls Into District Semifinals
Perry overwhelmed Buchtel 21-2 behind a balanced offensive attack.
Carter Crofoot finished with four RBIs and a triple, Nick Gustin drove in three runs, and Sheamus Matson scored four times. Michael Niedzwiecki crossed the plate three times, while Jimmy Ashburn added two RBIs.
Connor D’Astolfo earned the win on the mound with four strikeouts in two innings.
The Pirates improved to 21-6 and advanced to host Lake Catholic in a district semifinal on May 26.
Tough Losses for Orange and West Geauga Baseball
Orange baseball dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to West Branch despite a strong pitching performance from Ben Carpenter, who allowed one unearned run over six innings.
Caleb Panteck had two hits for the Lions, while Danny Neal added a hit.
West Geauga also fell in a close postseason battle, losing 5-4 to Streetsboro. Nick Colella homered and drove in two runs, while Austin Kanieski also homered and scored twice.
Other CVC Results
Westlake edged Lutheran West baseball 1-0 despite a strong outing from Connor Schneider, who allowed one unearned run over 6 1/3 innings.
Lake Catholic defeated Trinity baseball 13-0, while Canfield defeated Lakeside baseball 19-0, Copley beat Geneva baseball 4-0, and SVSM topped Harvey baseball 10-0.
Top 10 Overall Players
- Sam Barcikoski, Berkshire Baseball — Complete-game win, 10 strikeouts, home run, and 4 RBI
- Haylee Reed, Perry Softball — Walk-off home run in district championship game
- Sophie Sivon, Perry Softball — Complete-game win with 6 strikeouts and 2 RBI
- Tim Robertson, Chardon Baseball — 5-inning shutout with 12 strikeouts
- Morgan Atwara, West Geauga Softball — Home run, 3 RBI, and walk in district title win
- Lely Percassi, West Geauga Softball — Complete-game win with 7 strikeouts
- Cole Twardokus, Hawken Baseball — Walk-off RBI single and scoreless relief outing
- Daniel Schultz, Madison Baseball — 3-for-4 with a home run, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
- Tyler Pozsgai, Gilmour Academy Baseball — 4-for-4 with 3 runs, RBI, and a double
- Carter Crofoot, Perry Baseball — 4 RBI, triple, 3 runs, and 2 walks in playoff rout
