AKRON — Riverside softball‘s quest for a second consecutive Division II state championship came to an end Saturday afternoon as Kings defeated the Beavers, 7-1, in an OHSAA Division II state semifinal at Firestone Stadium.
The Knights struck early and never relinquished control, scoring five runs in the first two innings to put the defending state champions in an immediate hole.
- More From OhioVarsity.com: 2026 Ohio Varsity Softball All-Freshman Team Honors Area’s Rising Stars
“Kings came out here ready to hit, and they put in five on us early and put us in a quick hole that we just couldn’t get out of,” said Riverside head coach Bill Ross. “I thought we settled down nicely and tried to make it a game, but they really took the momentum back for themselves. This was a great year for us, finishing in the Final Four. Being back here twice in a row, I’m super proud of these girls. I think it was a tremendous year, but it just wasn’t our day today.”
Kings wasted little time taking control.
With two outs in the first inning, Alexis Fera launched a three-run home run to straightaway center field to give the Knights a 3-0 advantage.
Help Ohio Varsity Tell More Stories
Ohio Varsity is independently owned and provides local coverage of high school athletes, teams and communities throughout Northeast Ohio.
One-time and monthly donations available through PayPal.
The Knights added to their lead in the second. Once again, they delivered with two outs as Olivia Smith ripped a two-run double into left-center field, extending the margin to 5-0.
Despite the early deficit, Riverside continued to battle.
The Beavers broke through in the fifth inning when Becca Tornow drove in a run with a groundout, trimming the deficit to 5-1.
Kings answered in the bottom of the sixth.
Fera struck again, blasting her second home run of the game, a solo shot that pushed the lead to 6-1. Later in the inning, Madison Titler scored on a Riverside error, giving the Knights a commanding 7-1 lead.
Riverside was unable to mount a comeback as Kings advanced to the Division II state championship game.
Senior Legacy
While the loss ended Riverside’s title defense, it did little to diminish what has become one of the most successful stretches in program history.
The Beavers followed up last season’s state championship with another 27-win campaign, returning to the state semifinals, and finishing among Ohio’s final four teams for the second consecutive season.
The senior class leaves behind an impressive legacy that includes a state championship, two regional championships, and back-to-back 27-5 seasons.
“It’s been fun,” said senior Clara Granchi. “Being on a good team where we all compete with each other has been fun. We’re just a bunch of good players who make each other better every day. I think it’s just been such a great atmosphere to be a part of.”
Junior Maddi Proud believes the foundation built by the departing seniors will continue to drive the program forward.
“It’s been great to be a part of these teams the last two years,” Proud said. “I feel like we’ve had a lot of energy, we’re really close as a team, we hang out all the time, even when we’re not at softball, we find each other after practice, and we’re always doing things together.
“I think being able to come in next year, where it’s going to be hard to fill the shoes that these seniors are leaving this year, but I feel like our juniors this year are going to be able to step up, and I’m really excited to continue what we’ve built here together.”
At the Plate
Riverside managed three hits in the contest.
Tornow finished 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Olivia Powell went 1-for-3. Maddy Kevern added a hit, finishing 1-for-2.
In the Circle
Granchi took the loss for Riverside, allowing seven runs on 10 hits while striking out six and walking one.
Season in Review
Riverside closes the 2026 season with a 27-5 record, a Western Reserve Conference championship, district championship, regional championship, and a second straight trip to the state Final Four.
One year after reaching the summit and capturing the program’s first state title, the Beavers proved their championship run was no fluke. Though the repeat bid fell short, Riverside once again established itself among Ohio’s elite softball programs.
