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Hudson senior catcher Dani Brehun played a key role in the Explorers' improbable 5-3 district softball semifinal win over upstart Cuyahoga Falls on Friday.

AKRON, Ohio – It was a matter of survival for the Hudson softball team.

And at the same time, it was the ultimate near-miss for Cuyahoga Falls.

Junior Casey Brown (18-2) pitched a five-hitter and struck out eight and the Explorers (19-4) saved themselves by scoring five runs in the top of the seventh to get past the upset-minded Black Tigers (9-15) on Friday in an Akron Division I District semifinal game at Firestone Stadium.

Brown also had a key single in the seventh, as did seniors Sara Rillero and Dani Brehun, while senior Kayla Meehan doubled.

Hudson will now play fellow Northeast Ohio Conference member Nordonia at 6 p.m. Monday for the district title.

In other games:

Tournaments

Akron Division I District

Nordonia 3, Ellet 1

In a semifinal game at Firestone Stadium, Nordonia stunned state-ranked Ellet.

After the Orangemen had taken a 1-0 lead, the Knights plated three runs in the fourth inning. The key hit for Nordonia (18-7) was a single off the bat of sophomore catcher Jenna Huff. Ellet had two errors in the inning as well and that was all Nordonia junior Sara Andrasik would need.

Andrasik yielded just three hits and struck out six. Senior Taylor Charles took the loss for Ellet (22-3), which scored its run after junior catcher Marissa Calisle singled in the second and a courtesy scored on an error.

Barberton Division I Sectional

Medina 4, Brunswick 2

BRUNSWICK, Ohio – The Bees (10-14) trailed 1-0 after the first inning, were out-hit eight to six and committed six errors, yet still topped the Blue Devils (11-10) to claim a sectional title. Freshman Vanessa Scoarste tripled and scored twice for Medina. Megan Dragony doubled and scored once for Brunswick, Maria Ulisses singled twice and Nicole had two singles and an RBI.

Jefferson Division II District

Poland Seminary 1, Southeast 0

JEFFERSON, Ohio – The Pirates (8-7) gave it their best shot against the heavily-favored Bulldogs (17-2) in this district title game, but came up just short. Southeast got just one hit. Poland scored its run in the sixth inning.  

Regular-season games

Green 2, Cloverleaf 1

GREEN, Ohio – The Bulldogs (15-10, 7-7) scored two runs in the first inning and made it stand up against the visiting Colts (13-15, 4-9) to get this Suburban League win as they closed out their season. Morgan Jackson pitched a four-hitter, striking out four, and had an RBI single. Marissa Tharp had three hits, scored a run and stole a base for Green. Kristen Kilzer (6-10) settled down after the first inning and tossed a seven-hitter. She also had two hits, while Lauren Yelling had an RBI double.

Rootstown 4, Mogadore 2

ROOTSTOWN TWP., Ohio – The host Rovers (12-5, 7-4) won this Portage Trail Conference County Division game despite giving up two home runs to the Wildcats (7-4 in the division) by seniors Presley Destro and Ashley Lange. Freshman Madison Hartung and sophomore Allison Miller both singled twice for Rootstown, and Hartung also drove in a run, while sophomore Allison Miller singled twice.

Waterloo 5, Streetsboro 4 (8 innings)

ATWATER TWP., Ohio – Senior Lindsey Brown drove in two runs with a one-out double in the eighth inning to lead the Vikings (10-7, 6-5) past the visiting Rockets (7-10, 4-7) in this PTC County game. Waterloo scored four runs in the last two innings, tying the score in the seventh with two runs and forcing extra innings. Freshman Haley Hurd pitched a two-hitter for the Vikings.