Licking Valley softball advances to state final

AKRON - The Licking Valley softball team will play for a state championship.

Valley overcame an early 1-0 deficit to beat Bryan 2-1 in a battle of unbeatens June 5 in a Division IV state semifinal at Firestone Stadium in Akron. D'Neya Dennis' RBI single with two outs in the top of the seventh inning broke the 1-1 tie.

Valley plays Kenton Ridge at 11 a.m. June 7 at Firestone Stadium. Kenton Ridge, the defending champion, beat Mogadore Field 5-3 in the earlier semifinal.

Dani Lambert's RBI double scored Tori Baughman to tie the game in the fourth inning. Emory Whisner struck out 11 while pitching a four-hitter, allowing just an unearned run in the first inning.

The Panthers' last loss came 11-1 to Kenton Ridge in a regional final last season. Valley beat Kenton Ridge to win the Division II state championship in 2013.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Valley Panthers softball advances to OHSAA state final