Austintown Fitch outlasts Steele in regional thriller

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Austintown Fitch topped Amherst Steele 2-1 in nine innings in the Division I Softball Regional Semifinals at the YSU Softball Complex on Wednesday.

Kaliana Ray drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning to secure the victory for the Falcons. She finished with four hits on the day.

Kylie Folkwein opened the scoring for Fitch in the eighth inning with an RBI double, giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

But Steele answered back when Kayla Rhodes hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie things at 1-1.

Sydnie Watts tossed all nine innings for Fitch, striking out 16 batters. She also tallied a pair of singles.

Samantha Severn added two singles and a triple for Fitch.

Austintown Fitch improves to 20-1 overall on the season.

The Falcons advance to face Walsh Jesuit (22-0) in the Division I Regional Final on Friday at 5 p.m. at the YSU Softball Complex.

Steele’s season comes to an end with a record of 20-8.

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