Lady Spartans win two, head for sectionals

Florida - The Seward Lady Spartans finished their regular softball season with a flourish, topping Tri-Valley 4-3 and Eldred 16-1. The wins boost the Spartans overall record to 16-5 and their Division V record to 10-2. That 10-2 Division record left them a game behind Division winner Chester, the team they will probably face in the Section 9 Tournament. The outcome of that game will probably be known before this article appears. The Division V game at Grahamsville against Tri-Valley on Monday was a close one. Florida scored one run the first inning and two in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. Tri-Valley closed the gap with a run in the fourth. Fortunately for the visiting Spartans, Jill Harter’s RBI single in the sixth inning gave them a little cushion, a needed cushion as it turned out because Tri-Valley came back with two of their own in the bottom of the sixth. Neither team scored in the seventh as Florida held on for that 4-3 win. Winning pitcher Melissa Oliphant, Michelle Dugan and Jillian Harter each had two hits to lead the Spartan offense. On Wednesday at home Oliphant ended the regular season with a no-hit gem against Division IV Eldred. She struck out seven and also pounded out four hits, including a long home run to straightaway left field in the fourth inning. Michelle Dugan chipped in with two hits, including a double which drove in two runs. Coach Don Lewis’ team seems to be poised to made a serious run at that Class C Sectional crown. A lot hangs on the sturdy shoulders of Oliphant who is in the midst of putting the finishing touch on a superlative softball season.