FAIRBORN, OHIO (WKEF/WRGT) – Multiple area high school baseball teams played in regional semifinal games Thursday, with four advancing to the championship round in their respective regions.
Russia and Troy Christian will play each other Friday at Princeton High School in Cincinnati, while Coldwater will face Millbury Lake in Hamler; Fort Recovery will play Leipsic in Elida. Brookville was in a regional tournament for the first time since 2004, but the Blue Devils’ season ended 4-2 against Cincinnati Christian. Butler, Kenton Ridge, and Bradford were also regional semifinalists.
In the state softball tournament, Minster had the early lead against Strasburg-Franklin, but were not able to hold on to that lead as Strasburg-Franklin won 10-1. The Wildcats finish the season 29-2, having reached states for the first time since 2014. Kenton Ridge plays in the Division II semifinals Friday morning.
Bellbrook boys lacrosse has reached the Division II state semifinals for the first time, defeating Bishop Fenwick 16-14 in the Region 8 final. The Golden Eagles await Friday’s outcome between Bishop Watterson and Columbus DeSales, with the semifinal match scheduled for Wednesday at Roger Glass Stadium in Dayton.
The track and field state championships began Thursday at Welcome Stadium, with three student-athletes winning individual titles in Girls Division III. Katie McFarland of Lehman Catholic was victorious in pole vault, while Dixie’s Sierra Brinson won the discus throw, and Coldwater’s Izzy Zahn won long jump. The championships continue through Saturday.