The Riverside softball team wanted to prove it could make another postseason run.
The Beavers did exactly that Friday.
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Behind a dominant performance from Clara Granchi in the circle and a relentless offense that produced 13 hits, Riverside rolled past Solon 11-1 in six innings to capture a Division II district championship and punch its ticket back to regionals.
“Our team approach was to all be proving that we plan to compete this year,” Emma Wilhelm said. “We want to show that we are a strong-hitting team throughout our whole lineup. We all play a part in our wins, and that showed today.”
Riverside improved to 24-4 with the win and advanced to play Avon in a Division II, Region 8 semifinal at 5 p.m. May 27 at the Willig Softball Complex in Canton.
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The Beavers seized momentum immediately.
Granchi struck out the side in the top of the first inning, setting the tone before Riverside answered with two runs in the bottom half. Granchi worked a leadoff walk, and Wilhelm ripped a triple to center field to bring home the game’s first run. Wilhelm later scored on a passed ball for a quick 2-0 advantage.
“Clara striking out the side to start the game was huge for us,” said Riverside’s Brooklynn Kleps. “Knowing that we could win that inning and start off strong with our bats kept our energy up, and our hitting was contagious from the start.”
Riverside added another run in the second inning when Olivia Powell drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on Kleps’ two-out RBI single to center field.
While the offense steadily added pressure, Granchi dominated in the circle. The Riverside ace allowed just two hits and struck out 10 batters in a complete-game effort.
Her biggest sequence came in the fourth inning.
Solon loaded the bases with no outs after a leadoff single and consecutive walks, but Granchi escaped the jam by striking out the next three batters in order.
Riverside immediately turned the momentum into a game-breaking rally in the bottom of the inning.
Powell led off with a single, and Sammi Granchi followed with another hit. Kleps then delivered a two-run double before Clara Granchi added an RBI single. Maddi Proud brought home another run on a groundout, and Wilhelm capped the five-run inning with an RBI single to push the lead to 8-0.
Wilhelm finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a triple, and three RBI.
“My confidence helped me at the plate today,” Wilhelm said. “I trusted myself and relaxed when up to bat, which led to me being able to get base hits and contribute to my team’s win.”
Kleps also drove in three runs while going 2-for-3 with a double.
“It felt great to do what I could to drive in runs when runners were on base,” Kleps said. “I knew it was extremely important to not leave any base runners stranded, so I focused on hitting the ball hard, and it felt great to help my team.”
Solon scored its lone run in the fifth inning after a leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt helped set up an RBI groundout.
But Riverside quickly answered in the sixth.
Clara Granchi singled to open the inning before Proud added another hit. Wilhelm lined an RBI single, and Maddy Kevern followed with an RBI double. Moments later, Jenna Janezic delivered the walk-off RBI single to clinch the district championship.
For the second straight season, Riverside celebrated a district title with a walk-off win.
“It means a lot to this team,” Wilhelm said. “You have to win each game one by one; you can’t look ahead. To win in a walk-off fashion for the second season in a row is amazing. It makes everyone feel good winning off a walk-off, which carries into the next game.”
Kleps said the Beavers believe they are capable of another deep postseason push because of the chemistry and experience throughout the roster.
“We have a strong core back from last year, and after what we accomplished, we know what we are capable of as long as we play as a team,” Kleps said. “Our team chemistry has been showing in our hitting and in our defense; we lift each other up when something doesn’t go our way and celebrate the big plays as well. I’m excited to see what we can do moving forward.”
Top Players
- Emma Wilhelm (Riverside): 3-4, 2R, 3RBI, 3B
- Brooklynn Kleps (Riverside): 2-3, 1R, 3RBI, 2B
- Clara Granchi (Riverside): 2-3, 3R, 1RBI, 1BB; 6IP, 2H, 1ER, 10K
- Olivia Powell (Riverside): 1-2, 2R, 1BB
- Maddy Kevern (Riverside): 1-4, RBI, 2B
