The Edison softball season ended Thursday with a 3-1 loss to Bloom-Carroll in the first Division III state semifinal at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
The Lady Chargers closed the year at 30-2.
Edison, the top-ranked team in the state, struck first on a Susan Knight RBI single.
But Bloom-Carroll, the state's second-ranked team, tallied the next three runs to advance to the state finals.
Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Knight — one of the most decorated players in area softball history — stepped into the batter’s box with two outs, a 3-2 count and runners at second and third base.
But, Bloom-Carroll pitcher Taran Alvelo went low and away, freezing Knight for a called strike three to end Edison’s historic season.
The strikeout came on the heels of the bottom of the sixth, where Edison had a runner thrown out at home while trailing 2-1.
Edison coach Dale Dawson was appreciative afterwards for the tournament run by his team, just the second area appearance in the state semifinals in the 35-year history of the state tournament.
“We're sad we lost, but what a fantastic year,” he said. “We'll be feeling this one for a few days, but we'll look back on the season we had and won't hang our heads. We'll be proud of it on the field and off.
“We had a great group of girls that got along great and gave their best. As a coach that's all you can ask for. It’s just a bummer it had to end here today.”
Read more in Friday's Sandusky Register and Norwalk Reflector.
