To say the Archbold softball program has a tradition of winning would be an understatement. Coming off a regular season that saw them win at least a share of their 12th straight NWOAL championship would support that statement. Successful regular seasons have also led to success on the tournament trail with multiple District championships and appearances at the regional and state level. With that being said many thought this might be the year Archbold doesn’t make a deep tournament run. But in the Division III District Semifinal on Wednesday at Rolf Park in Maumee the Lady Streaks continued the tournament magic scoring a run in the top of the 7th to secure a 2-1 victory over Otsego. It was obvious early that runs would be at a premium in this one as Alyssa Zeigler for Archbold and S. Spurlock for Otsego made life difficult for the hitters. After a scoreless first two innings, the Blue Streaks broke the ice by plating a run in the 3rd for a 1-0 lead. For a while, it looked like that one run would be all Archbold would need as Ziegler was outstanding in the circle. In the bottom of the 6th, the Lady Knights finally put some hits together and with a RBI single by A. Mazcy the game was now tied 1-1. Archbold would take the momentum right back by scoring one run of their own to go back in front of Otsego 2-1 going to the Lady Knights half of the 7th inning. Ziegler got back on track, getting the final three outs and putting Archbold in the District Finals where they will face the #1 seeded Eastwood Lady Eagles in a rematch of last year’s final, won by Archbold 2-1. In tournament play solid pitching is a must and both of these teams had it. Ziegler went seven innings for Archbold, giving up one run on just four hits with fourteen strikeouts and just one walk. S. Spurlock was equally as impressive for the Lady Knights, going seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and four walks. The Lady Blue Streaks offense was provided by a trio of players, with Gabby Nafziger going 2-4, Peyton Dickman 2-2 with a RBI, and Kaitlyn Beck with a 2-4 effort that included an RBI.
