Keystone High School shuts out Poland Seminary in State semi-finals

AKRON, Ohio - The day started out damp in Akron, dried out a bit with a little sunshine, then poured on a rabid crowd, one in white, one in purple, who all apparently emptied their hometown to fill Firestone Stadium in support of their teams.

The 2012 Ohio High School Athletic Association state semi-final girl's softball games began Friday, sneaking innings in between showers. Fortunately, the lightning only existed at the plate with the first game beginning at 12:30 p.m.

The first match-up was number one state ranked Keystone High School from LaGrange in Lorain County versus Mahoning County's Poland Seminary High School. Poland took out Keystone in the state final last year after a perfect state run by Keystone of nine years.

Keystone was on a mission in this game.

Keystone pitcher Mackensie Conrad busied herself at a shut out over the Poland girl's hurlers when the heavy rain started after four and a half innings. Poland's pitcher Erin Gabriel pitched a 10 strikeout, one-hitter last year and started out strong again this year, but after a run driven in by Conrad the Keystone Wildcats added three more.

After several hours of a rain delay, the Wildcats held on for the 4-0 shut out.

Kensie, as she's listed in the playoff's program, had her soaking wet parents cheering her on, but in different parts of the stadium. Her father, Mike, leaned across the four-foot chain link fence along the right field line shouting encouragements throughout each inning.

"This is what she's dreamed of. When you play for Keystone, the tradition is amazing. She was at these games when she was a little kid, so I'm very proud of her," said Conrad.

When asked why he doesn't sit with his wife, Conrad quipped, "We're separated during the games. I stay here, she stays there. It's better that way."

Lois Conrad sat in the first row of the main crowd section right behind home plate. The crowd of cheering, screaming, high-fiving mothers seemed to enjoy having their section to themselves.

"I used to bring her here to watch the girls play softball when she was 1 year old. She's probably so excited, I'm so excited. This is everything she's worked for. She's worked so hard since last year, she wanted to get back here and they're doing it. I'm very proud of her," said Lois Conrad.

Ironically, Kensie won this game in the city in which she will be attending college this fall, Akron State University.

Saturday's 4 p.m. game pits the 31-0 Keystone Wildcats against 29-4 Greenville High School hailing from Darke County for the state title.

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UPDATE: June 2, 2012

LaGrange Keystone High School Wildcats (32-0) defeat Darke County's Greenville High School 7-2 to win the Division II softball state championship.

This was the Wildcat's thirteenth trip to the state tournament and their third state title. They have had six runner-up titles to their credit, as well. Their previous titles were won in 1999 and 2006.

The Wildcats had to overcome an early rally by Greenville (29-5) to win the game.

In the fifth inning Keystone gathered five base hits after two Greenville errors to put them up 5-2. Senior Alyson Broschik hit a two-run triple to drive in Bee Shaw and Bri Buckley who had had hit RBI singles.

Buckley singled an inning later, scoring after a Sophomore Carleigh Herrington triple to put them up 7-2 for good.

Senior Kensie Conrad walked only one, striking out seven, on her way to a 25-0 season record.

LaGrange Keystone ends the season as the only team in the state to end it undefeated, 32-0.

Conrad will be attending The University of Akron this fall.