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OHSAA state softball preview: Lakota West, North Canton Hoover battle in DI Final 4

shelby dermer, cincinnati enquirer
·4 min read

The Lakota West softball team hopped on an Executive Charter bus Wednesday afternoon bound for Akron's Firestone Stadium.

The Firebirds are hoping the bus returns to Cincinnati Saturday evening with a Division I state championship trophy.

More: Here's the Enquirer's high school postseason coverage for the week of May 29-June 5

More: Vote: Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky high school athletes of the week, May 30

Lakota West is set to face North Canton Hoover in the Division I state semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

This is the sixth career state Final Four appearance for Lakota West. With a win on Thursday, they'll advance to the Division I state championship game for the second time in program history.

K.K. Mathis, the No. 3-ranked player in the state, has led the Firebirds back to Akron for the second-straight season and third time in four years.
K.K. Mathis, the No. 3-ranked player in the state, has led the Firebirds back to Akron for the second-straight season and third time in four years.

North Canton Hoover won't need a charter bus for its 18-mile trek to Akron, but it's looking to add to a rich history of softball success. The Vikings won Division I state championships in its first eight trips to state (1998, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014). They've had previous clashes with Greater Cincinnati teams, as well.

In 2006, Hoover beat Lakota West, 4-0, in the Division I state semifinals. Six years later, Hoover blanked Lebanon in the state title game. Hoover's 16-game state tournament win streak was snapped by Lebanon in the 2017 state semifinals.

The road to Akron

North Canton Hoover (18-6) was shut out in the regional semifinals last season by Massillon Perry, which would later beat Lakota West in the state semifinals en route to a state title. Hoover recovered by winning the Federal League Championship this season.

The Vikings feature a potent lineup with many dangerous hitters. Seniors Faith Kiko (Mount Union commit) and Faith Reicosky lead the team in batting average, both entering the regional tournament at .436. Sophomore Tess Bucher hits over .400, as well. Sophomore Sadie Carroll leads the team in RBIs.

Hoover's Delaney Shannon had five RBIs in the regional tournament.
Hoover's Delaney Shannon had five RBIs in the regional tournament.

Hoover recorded 17 hits in its 10-2 win over Walsh Jesuit in the Division I regional semifinals, with every batter in the lineup recording at least one hit. Even 9-hole hitter Delaney Shannon has been huge in the tournament, hitting a two-run triple in the regional semifinals and a three-run triple that proved to be the game-winner in Hoover's 5-3 win over Austintown-Fitch in the regional final at Youngstown State University.

In the circle, Robert Morris University commit Sydnee Koosh is 15-4 with nearly 150 strikeouts and an ERA in the lower twos.

Koosh will have to face a lethal offense, as well, in Lakota West (26-4), which averages more than 10 runs per game this season. The co-champions of the Greater Miami Conference scored 36 runs over three district tournament games before pulling out a pair of one-run victories in the regional rounds. Lakota West edged Oak Hills, 3-2, May 27 for a regional title.

Lakota West senior Molly Grace leads the GMC in RBIs this season.
Lakota West senior Molly Grace leads the GMC in RBIs this season.

Lakota West's lineup includes three players who were named Top-22 softball prospects in Ohio in 2022 by statewide media prior to the season. Senior shortstop Molly Grace, a University of Dayton signee, was No. 12 on the list and is hitting .534 this season and leads the GMC in RBIs (57).

Senior speedster Belle Hummel, an Ohio University signee, was No. 7 in the state and leads the GMC in batting average (.634), hits (59), runs scored (57) and stolen bases (42). Hummel has joined the OHSAA's all-time list for both career runs scored and stolen bases in just three seasons.

K.K. Mathis, the No. 3-ranked player in the state, has led the Firebirds back to Akron for the second-straight season and third time in four years. Mathis is one of the top two-way threats, hitting .581 with 14 doubles, six triples, nine home runs and 49 RBIs. Opponents have done their best at taking the bat out of her hands having walked 10 times in the last five games.

Lakota West third baseman Haley Hibbard had a key two-run single in the regional final against Oak Hills.
Lakota West third baseman Haley Hibbard had a key two-run single in the regional final against Oak Hills.

In the circle, Mathis is a back-to-back 20-game winner. This spring, she's posted a 20-3 record with a 1.89 ERA and 179 strikeouts over 133 innings. In the regional championship, Mathis took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and finished the complete game with just two hits and two unearned runs allowed.

Elsewhere on offense, Lakota West's entire lineup is hitting .333 or better. Senior Kendall Forren patrols from behind the plate and is hitting .413, while third baseman Haley Hibbard (.398) had a key two-run single in the regional final.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: OHSAA state softball: Lakota West meets North Canton Hoover in Final 4