Kings Capture First OHSAA Division II Softball Title

A seven-run sixth inning decided the final, closing coach John Schablein’s career with the program’s lone state crown.

Overview

Kings defeated Westerville Central 12-4 at Firestone Stadium to win the Division II state championship on Sunday.
The game was broken open by a seven-run bottom of the sixth when Kings sent 12 batters to the plate and took advantage of multiple Westerville Central errors.
Kings reached the final after a 7-1 semifinal win over defending champion Painesville Riverside in which sophomore Alexis Fera hit two home runs, a performance reports say set a Division II single-game state-tournament mark.
Coach John Schablein announced his retirement after the tournament and Sunday’s victory was his final game leading the Knights.
Kings finished the season 30-1 with seniors closing careers at 99-17, while Westerville Central ended as runner-up with its long winning streak halted amid reports that the streak was either 21 or 22 games.