The Gilmour Academy varsity softball team bounced back from a pair of tough losses with a run-rule victory in its opening postseason game to advance to the District round of the OHSAA Tournament.
By virtue of a strong regular season, Gilmour had earned a bye in the opening round of the postseason and proceeded straight into a sectional final. The Lancers posted a 13-2 win in five innings over Cardinal Mooney High School to extend their playoff push into the district round.
Although it ended up running away with the win in its playoff opener, Gilmour actually fell behind early.
Cardinal Mooney scored for the only time in the top of the first after a Lancer error to begin the game led to a pair of unearned runs.
The Lancers then settled into a defensive groove with pitcher Megan Mlinaric '22 leading the way.
With Gilmour still trailing 2-0 in the third, the Lancers proceeded to bat around and score six times. Right fielder Allison Schuh '23 hit a three-run, inside-the-park home run to highlight the frame for the hosts.
After adding two more runs in the fourth, the Lancers finished off the win by scoring five times in the home half of the fifth. Shortstop Emmy Klika '21 lined a two-run single to center field to enact the run rule.
Mlinaric went the distance in the circle to claim her sixth win of the season. She yielded just three hits and zero walks while striking out seven batters.
Alaina Giampietro '22 went 3-for-4 with a triple, a game-high four RBI and two runs scored.
Lily Prebul '24 went 2-for-2 with a double and a walk and also had a phenomenal defensive performance behind the plate.
Both Emmy Klika and Laney Klika '23 added two hits on the day while combining for five RBI between them.
With the win, Gilmour advanced to the OHSAA District Semifinals where it will take on Champion High School, the three-time defending state champion.
Schuh not only helped Gilmour advance in the postseason, but she was also named a News-Herald Player of the Week for her performance the previous week in the team's upset win over Mentor High School.
Gilmour also played three regular-season games in addition to opening its postseason slate last week.
The Lancers lost to Ursuline High School (4-1) and Western Reserve Academy (10-9) while claiming a win over Wickliffe High School (6-4).
While Gilmour came up short at Ursuline, its effort was quite noteworthy. The Fighting Irish were ranked No. 1 in the state in Division III, but Gilmour outhit its hosts and were within striking distance until late on in the game.
Ursuline led just 2-1 in the middle of the sixth before a pair of GA miscues allowed the hosts to add two insurance runs.
Mlinaric was strong in defeat, allowing just five hits and a lone earned run in a complete-game effort. She struck out four without walking a batter.
Clare Peterson '23 was 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI while Laney Klika played outstanding defense at second base.
Gilmour's matchup with WRA was its final contest before beginning postseason action. As a result, the Lancers used the opportunity to get 17 different players some action in the contest.
Gilmour trailed 7-0 after two innings but scored in four consecutive innings beginning in the third. A five-run sixth inning tied the game, 9-9, but the hosts would score in the bottom of the seventh to pull out the win.
The Lancers outhit WRA but were done in by three unearned runs.
Maggie Dean '22, Mlinaric and Schuh had two hits each with Dean adding two RBI.
After righting the ship with their postseason win, Gilmour posted a second straight victory, knocking off Wickliffe in its home finale.
Three Lancers blasted extra-base hits in the bottom of the fifth to push GA into the lead after the game had been tied entering the inning. Mlinaric homered, Peterson tripled and Madison Minotas '24 doubled to give the Lancers the lead for good.
Peterson went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and also earned the win in the circle by throwing four shutout frames.
Mlinaric blasted a pair of home runs against the Blue Devils while Laney Klika had a hit, two walks and three stolen bases.
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