Eagles earn spot in district final with 11-1 rout of Nordonia
Host Avon opened postseason play with a convincing 11-1 five-inning victory over Nordonia Tuesday in a Division II district semifinal.
It didn’t take long for the eight-seeded Eagles to take control of the game, as Jocelin Ochs led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run, her fifth of the season and her second in as many games. Avon scored four runs in the first, five in the second and two in the third and cracked 10 hits in just four innings in a game that was shortened because of the 10-run rule.
Ochs had a home run and a double, scored once and knocked in a run. Michaela Jankowski had three hits, including two doubles, and knocked in four runs for the Eagles, and Maria Young had two doubles, scored a run and knocked in a run.
Coming off a complete-game no-hitter over Anthony Wayne on Saturday, Young pitched the first three innings, allowing zero runs on one hit and striking out seven. Freshman Jordyn Smith pitched the final two innings for Avon, allowing one run on one hit and striking out three.
With the victory, the 13-13 Eagles move on to the district final, which will be played Saturday at Waddell Park in Niles. Avon will face 14-13 Mayfield, which is the 10th seed in the tournament. The Wildcats won their semifinal, 7-2 over St. Joseph Academy, to earn a spot in the final.
