White Birch claims ‘A’ Division playoff crown

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Stacy Buckland tries to turn two for White Birch during this afternoon’s playoff championship victory over Banes.

A split in the final round was enough as White Birch bested Banes to capture the Medina Women’s Softball League ‘A’ Division playoff championship this afternoon at the Jr. Wilson fields.

Rebounding from a 9-3 loss to Banes in the first title round game, White Birch scored an 11-2 victory in the decisive second game to claim the crown and end Banes two year reign.

Trailing 1-0, White Birch rallied into the lead for good by scoring twice in the second inning on RBI singles by Brynn Howell and Dana Siffringer as hits by Kenzi Muck, Anna Lewis and Bekah Hoffee set up the opportunity.

The lead increased to 4-1 in the fifth frame on an RBI double by Aubrey Lewis and a fielders choice play off the bat of Maddie Boyle. Hits by Mallory Albone and Ella Lewis set up the threat.

White Birch then broke the contest wide open by erupting for 7 runs in the sixth inning as Stacy Buckland, Hoffee, Siffringer, Ella Lewis and Aubrey Lewis all had RBI hits and Albone an RBI sac fly. Hits by Muck and Anna Lewis ignited the uprising.

Muck and Anna Lewis both finished with 3 hits as Hoffee, Howell, Siffringer and Ella Lewis each had 2.

Defensively, White Birch turned three double plays two started by Ella Lewis at third base and one by Aubrey Lewis at shortstop.

Banes scored a quick run in the first on a single by Jamie Chatt but couldn’t cross home plate again until the sixth inning.

However, in the first game of the title round, Banes jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first three innings.

Hits by Connie Heschke, Robin Blaun and Jamie Chatt and an error plated 2 runs in the first inning. A two-run single by Grace Capstick and an RBI single by Sue Seefeldt drove in three in the second. An RBI single by Morgan Allis and a sacrifce fly by Jen Masse then tacked on 2 more in the third.

Chatt finished with 3 hits as Heschke and Blaun both had 2.

White Birch advanced to the finals with a pair of winners bracket victories over Jr. Wilson 17-5 and Banes 14-2. Ella Lewis and Anna Lewis both had 3 hits including a triple in the win over Banes.

Banes rebounded with a 17-12 losers bracket win over Poler’s Pub to gain a berth in the finals.

Ella Lewis bangs out a hit for White Birch at the left as does Grace Capstick for Banes at the right.