Perry wins Division I state softball title

Perry won the Division I state softball title with a 10-0 victory in six innings over Grove City on Saturday at Firestone Stadium.

The Panthers (27-3) were unranked in the final state coaches' poll and the Greyhounds (28-5) finished first.

Perry vs. Grove City Game Story Link: http://www.ohio.com/sports/95713419.html.

How Perry won the Division I state championship

Perry senior first baseman Maria Tayse hit a two-run home run in the sixth to end the game early on the mercy rule.

Panthers junior right-handed pitcher Casi Rohr moved her record to 24-2 by shutting out the Greyhounds on six hits, walking none and striking out seven. That came after she tossed a three-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Holland Springfield 5-0 Thursday in the semifinals.

Grove City ace pitcher Paige Myers, a Miami University recruit and four-year starter, took the loss.

Senior shortstop Anna Fach and sophomore third baseman Shelbi Tilton led off the first inning with singles for Perry. After Myers struck out the next two hitters, senior catcher Caitlyn Ferrell hit a sharp single to center.

The throw home might have been in time to nab Fach, but the Grove City catcher couldn't handle it. The ball went to the backstop and Tilton scored to make it 2-0. Two pitches later, Ferrell scored on a passed ball.

In the second inning, a walk and singles by Fach and Tilton moved the score to 4-0.

Perry put together a four-run fifth, keyed by a two-run single by senior outfielder Sarah Samblanet and a two-run Greyhounds error.

Quotes

Perry coach Alison Heppe

''It's crazy. I would never have said we would go in there and beat Grove City 10-0. No way. No way.''

''Being unranked didn't bother us. Our girls just come in and play. We are here to compete. We showed that today.''

''I am really proud of these young ladies. They worked hard all season long.''

''Heart is something you can't teach. The dedication and hard work pulled us through today. We made history.''

Perry junior right-handed pitcher Casi Rohr

''The Federal League had the hardest teams we faced.''

''To come out of the Federal League prepared us for what was ahead. It brought us through the hard times.''

Note

-- The Federal League has claimed four Division I state championships in the past six years. Besides Perry, the other recent champions were North Canton Hoover (2006 and 2008) and Lake (2005).