Hebert's walk-off homer lifts Oak Hills softball to 1st district championship since 2012

MASON — Oak Hills junior Kailee Hebert does not shy away from the big moments.

Hebert's first career prep home run came on April 1 against Mason, which stood as the game-winner in a 1-0 Highlanders' victory. Hebert's second career long ball was much more memorable.

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In Thursday's Division I district final against Lebanon, Hebert launched an opposite-field walk-off home run with one out in the seventh inning, lifting Oak Hills to a 2-1 win over Lebanon. It's Oak Hills' first district title in 10 years.

"It was crazy. I didn't really expect it," Hebert said. "I was just looking for a base hit. I'm overwhelmed right now."

Oak Hills head coach Jackie Cornelius-Bedel added: "She's done it a couple times for us this year where it's left the park. As soon as she swung, I knew."

It was not surprising Oak Hills and Lebanon were locked in a pitchers' duel as two of the top hurlers in the city faced off and cooled down the opposition's bats for the majority of the contest.

Lebanon's Sophia Rohrs kept Oak Hills off-balance, yielding just three hits through the first five innings.

Lebanon took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on freshman Ella Teubner's RBI double that scored catcher Reagan Vunak, who led off the inning with a single.

Oak Hills finally broke through in the sixth. Niki Bode worked a one-out walk, then scored two batters later when her sister, Abby Bode, looped a base-hit to right field to tie it up 1-1.

"Those are our go-to kids that we want and that's why they're at the top of that lineup," Cornelius-Bedel said. "They've been strong all year."

Staying strong in the circle for the Highlanders was standout Avery Gottlieb, who struck out eight and retired 12 of Lebanon's final 14 hitters after allowing the third-inning tally.

"Avery (Gottlieb), for sure, is our workhorse and our leader," Cornelius-Bedel said. "We know that our offense has been a little slow all year to start and then we get on and she holds it down until we're ready to go."

Gottlieb, who picked up her 22nd win of the season, struck out a pair of Lebanon hitters in both the sixth and seventh inning.

"I felt a lot of adrenaline coming on toward the end of the game," Gottlieb said. "I knew my team was working hard behind me and making the plays."

Oak Hills is back in the regional tournament for the first time since 2012, when it lost to Lebanon, 5-0, in the regional championship game.

Mercy McAuley beat Northmont in extras for program's 1st district crown

After a 10-run loss in last year's district finals, Mercy McAuley redeemed itself Thursday with a 4-2 victory over Northmont in extra innings Thursday at Hamilton.

The Wolves tied the game 2-2 in the sixth inning when senior Sarah Sucietto launched her fourth home run of the season (third in the last four games). Mercy McAuley then took its first lead of the game in the eighth on a two-run, two-out double from Madison Henry that scored Sophia Gittings and Chloe Gildrea.

Northmont would load the bases in the bottom of the eighth, but Henry got clean-up hitter Sam McGilton to fly and Mercy McAuley claimed its first-ever district title. Henry struck out nine batters and earned her 12th win of the season.

Mercy McAuley will play Oak Hills in the Division I regional semifinal on May 25 at Wright State University. Oak Hills beat Mercy McAuley, 2-1, last season in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Mason rallies late to top Beavercreek for a district title, 5-1

Mason recorded its ninth consecutive 20-win season and 10th-straight district title when it downed Beavercreek with a late push Thursday night at Princeton.

Locked in a 1-1 tie going into the seventh inning, Mason broke the game wide open with a four-run frame, highlighted by a two-run single by freshman infielder Addie McBrayer. Fellow freshmen Halle Martin and Annabelle Geiser each collected two hits and junior Ellie Offner knocked in a pair for the Comets.

In the circle, Mason freshman Alisha Fox tossed a complete game, yielding five hits and a run while striking out four to improve to 12-4.

Lakota West handles Kings for 6th consecutive district championship

Lakota West scored seven runs in the second inning and six more in the fourth, which was enough to beat Kings, 13-2, for a district title Thursday night at Milford. It's the program's sixth-straight district championship and the 13th for longtime head coach Keith Castner.

Lena Albright started the scoring with a two-run single in the bottom of the second inning. The senior finished 3-for-3 with a double. Designated hitter Jasmine Walker went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Catcher Kendall Forren and third baseman Haley Hibbard each knocked in a pair of runs, as well. Shortstop Molly Grace went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Senior pitcher K.K. Mathis was intentionally walked three times at the plate, but made up for it in the circle. She allowed two runs on four hits over five innings, striking out nine with no walks for her 17th win of the year.

Kings, making its fourth district finals appearance in seven seasons, avoided a shutout with a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Freshman Natalia Brignoni-Marcano knocked in the first with a fielder's choice and Ainsley Herron followed with a base hit that scored Eden Lenney.

Lakota West and Mason will link up in the Division I regional semifinal on May 25 at Wright State University. The Firebirds swept the Comets during the regular season, winning 10-4 in extra innings on April 4 and 4-0 on April 26. Lakota West is 5-0 against Mason over the last two seasons combined, including a 6-3 win in last year's regional semifinals.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Oak Hills, Mason, Lakota West, Mercy-McAuley each win district crowns