(5-27-23) The Parkway Panthers (20-2) softball tradition continues…a program started by Hall of Fame Coach Mark Esselstein continues with the man who took over after he retired…Trey Stover.

Yesterday Parkway won a ticket to Akron when they beat Covington 10-3 for the program’s 4th trip to State where they will play Hopewell-Loudon (30-0) in a D IV state semifinal game at 3 p.m. Friday in Akron..

After the win Parkway Coach Trey Stover told the Times-Bulletin –

“These girls have been working at this their whole life. It’s been a dream for them since they were five years old and I’m just so happy for them.”

“We’re just going to keep doing the same things. We’re going to put in the work this week and we’ll do what it takes to be ready for Thursday.”

“We’re battle-tested. We’ve played lots of tough teams this season and we play in the toughest conference around. We’re ready for these moments.”

Playoff Path

  • beat St. Henry 4-2
  • beat Minster 6-2
  • beat Russia 2-1 – 9 innings
  • beat Covington 10-3

HS Softball and Baseball: Parkway Headed to State

Hometown Stations – You Tube Video

Hopewell-Loudon advanced to Akron after beating Edgerton 13-2 in 5 innings Friday at Gibsonburg in the Regional Final.

How have they done it all year and maintain a perfect record? The Chieftains have scored double-digit runs 24 times this year, have now scored 383 runs this season, averaging 12.8 runs per game.

After the win Hopewell-Loudon coach Tony Malagon told the Advertiser-Tribune–

“I told them we wanted to take the extra step. I hope that took a little pressure off because we were back to the same point. We didn’t really have anything to lose. I’ve been preaching since these girls were young about hanging banners. We told them to play for each either, their families and be prideful for our school.”

The Chietians have a pretty good pitcher in Isabelle Beidelschies who is 27-0 this season with 286 strikeouts in 146 innings pitched…56 hits, 18 runs (12 earned), and 12 walks…earned run average of 0.64.

Playoff Path

  • beat Mohawk 7-0
  • beat Carey 9-7
  • beat Lincolnview 9-1
  • beat Edgerton 13-2 – 5 innings

Did you know…

The two teams had just one common opponent…Lincolnview. The Chieftians beat them this week in the Regional semifinal 9-1, thile Parkway lost to the Lancers on April 4th 5-2.

This will be Parkway’s 4th State final four appearance 2023, 2013, 1998, 1997

This will be Hopewell-Loudon’s 1st trip to the Final Four

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