A trio of two-run innings propelled Edwardsburg into the Division 2 district finals at 4 p.m. today at Vella Park in Niles.

The Eddies (29-7) defeated defending district champion Paw Paw 7-2 in the first semifinal.

Edwardsburg broke a scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning.

Kailee Claire delivered a two-run double following back-to-back Redskin errors.

Edwardsburg extended its lead to 3-0 on  an RBI single by Kaylee Ryker.

The lead increased to 5-0 in the fourth as McKenzie Creed and Hannah Shoupe had run-scoring singles.

Paw Paw (28-8) averted the shutout in the top of the sixth with a pair of runs.

Anna Castelluccio doubled to right-center field to score Mackenzie Earl, who had walked, and Brooke Vantilburg, who had singled.

The Eddies quickly responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Creed singled home Savannah Dixon, who led of the inning with a double.

She would come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Michaela Ritschard.

Ali Strycker went the distance for Edwardsburg as she allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts.

Kayli Bowen took the loss for the Redskins.

Dowagiac and host Niles square off in the second semifinal, which was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

 

Division 2 District Softball

At Niles

Semifinals

EDWARDSBURG 7, PAW PAW 2

Paw Paw                    000     002     0 – 2 4 2

Edwardsburg            021     202     X – 7 12 0

Ali Strycker (W) and Layne Stinnett; Kayli Bowen (L) and Mackenzie Earl

2B: Kailee Claire (E), Savannah Dixon (E), Anna Castelluccio (PP)

Varsity record: Paw Paw 28-8