Louisville Falls 10-1 to Bloom-Carroll, Finishes as State Runner-Up – Softball
Bloom-Carroll 10, Louisville 1
FULL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS COMING SOON
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The Louisville Leopards Softball Team fell to the Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs 10-1 in the DIII State Championship Game Saturday night at Akron Firestone Stadium. With the loss, Louisville finishes the season with an 18-14 record and as the 2026 DIII State Runner-Up.
“I’m so proud of these girls. They made it to the last game of the season. Today definitely was not our day and did not go the way that we thought it was going to, but they did not give up until the very last pitch was thrown…The ball just didn’t roll our way today, but it was an incredible season. Nobody thought we were going to get here, but here we are playing on the last day of the season.” – Sarah Cantley, Louisville Coach
YSN Live Audio Broadcast
Claugus Leads Off with Solo Shot to Put Leopards in Front
Leah Claugus cleared the wall in left-center field for a leadoff solo homer in the bottom of the first inning. She slapped hands with Coach Sarah Cantley after rounding third base and was mobbed by her teammates at the plate. Claugus had put Louisville in front 1-0 in the State Championship Game.
The home run was her fifth of the season, tying her with Anna Sirohman and Kaitlin Twinem for the team lead. Louisville finished with 24 homers as a team.
“I think we’re just like a family, and it’s not just the team. It’s the coaches, the school, and the community. We saw that today and throughout the whole season. We’ve had the support we needed, and it’s something special.” – Leah Claugus, Louisville Center Fielder
O’Neill & Sirohman Record Multi-Hit Games
Shae O’Neill and Sirohman both went 2-for-3 at the plate to account for the Leopards’ only other hits.
O’Neill cracked a one-out double to left-center in the second inning. She then advanced to third when Bailee Griffith flied out to center field. A strikeout ended the frame, though, and O’Neill was left stranded on third base.
Sirohman singled to right field in the third and sixth innings but advanced no further. O’Neill suffered the same fate after tallying Louisville’s final hit of the game on a line drive single to center field in the seventh inning.
Q92 Audio Broadcast
Bloom-Carroll Breaks it Open in the Third
Leopard starting pitcher Katelynn Miller struck out four Bulldogs while pitching two scoreless innings to start the game.
However, Bloom-Carroll broke through with four runs in the third inning. A hit by pitch, a single by Madelyn Gates, and an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt loaded the bases. Emma Brandt then brought two runs home on a pop-fly single to no-man’s land in left field. Maddi Walters and Gates scored on the play to put the Bulldogs in front 2-1.
Two batters later, Gabby Johnson cracked an RBI double, plating Jaiden Sharrow. Then Hayden Hubner laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Brandt to make it 4-1.
Bulldogs Add Runs on Inning-Ending Plays
Bloom-Carroll tacked on a run in both the fourth and fifth innings, but the Louisville defense also recorded inning-ending outs on both plays to limit the damage.
Brandt singled home Walters in the fourth inning, but Claugus rocketed a throw home to catcher Addy Campbell, who applied the tag on Sharrow for the third out.
Lillian Schimmel singled home Kaitlyn Stonerock in the fifth inning, but Claugus rifled a throw to third base, where Sirohman tagged Hubner to end the frame.
“They kept showing up for each other, and that’s something you can’t teach. They could have folded and given up way earlier in that game when stuff wasn’t going our way, but they kept fighting. They never gave up. Louisville Softball is known for those comebacks, and they just kept believing and kept showing up. Every single pitch, they were trying to make something happen.” – Sarah Cantley, Louisville Coach
Bloom-Carroll Removes All Doubt with 4-Run Sixth
The wheels came off in the sixth inning. Gates doubled to right-center field, scoring Walters from second, but was tagged out trying to advance to third on a relay from Claugus to shortstop Twinem to Sirohman.
There were two outs and the bases were empty, but the Bulldogs managed to reload them on back-to-back walks and an error. The free passes came back to bite the Leopards as Stonerock scored on a wild pitch before Hubner smashed a two-run double, scoring Addison Brown and Johnson to increase the margin to 10-1.
Brandt Strikes Out 8 to Lead Bulldogs in the Circle
Emma Brandt threw a complete game, allowing one run on five hits while issuing no walks and striking out eight to lead Bloom-Carroll. At one point, she retired eight straight Louisville batters, including retiring the side in order in the fourth and fifth innings.
The Bulldogs outhit the Leopards 13-5 for the game. Gates and Schimmel led Bloom-Carroll with three hits each. Brandt and Hubner had two hits apiece to go along with 3 RBIs each. Walters also registered a multi-hit game and Johnson’s double accounted for the Bulldogs’ other hit.
The victory was the ninth straight for Bloom-Carroll, which finished the season with a final record of 26-4. In their seven tournament wins, the Bulldogs knocked off defending state champion Dover 3-2 in the Regional Semifinals, shut out four opponents, and outscored the opposition 79-4.
The state title is the fourth in program history for Bloom-Carroll and its first since 2013. The Bulldogs have advanced to the state championship game in all seven of their trips to the state tournament since 2006.
Lady Leopards Make History
Despite the outcome, Lady Leopards Softball became just the second program in Louisville Athletics history to finish in the top two in the state twice. Louisville Wrestling also won the DII Dual Team Tournament in 2020 and was the DII State Runner-Up in both the Dual and Individual State Tournaments in 2021.
“The whole playoff season, we were the underdogs the whole way. I don’t think it’s really set in that we just did that and we were here playing in the last game of the season.” – Leah Claugus, Louisville Center Fielder
Each Lady Leopards was presented with a runner-up medal and then the team received the State Runner-Up trophy to add to what’s becoming a very full trophy case display at Louisville High School. What a story for a team that was once 12-14 and carried a losing record into the postseason.
“It’s definitely just the personalities and how everybody worked together. The season didn’t go our way early, but they persevered through it. Every single day they showed up, and they were ready to work and ready to fight. We won’t remember the scores of the games or who we played, but we’ll remember the moments that they had with each other. They’re so valued and so important, and that’s the stuff they’re going to remember. As a coaching staff, they really have laid the groundwork. You can’t ask for better leaders in our seniors, but also in the juniors and freshmen. Freshman through senior, everybody showed up and played for each other.” – Sarah Cantley, Louisville Coach
The Lady Leopards are now 55-40 in the postseason all-time, which includes a 10-2 record since entering Division III last season. Louisville is now 17-18 when playing tournament games on a neutral field and 7-1 in the postseason when competing at Akron Firestone Stadium.
“(Louisville Softball) means the world. Growing up, it was always a big part of my life wearing Louisville across my chest, no matter what size jersey I had. It was just so great growing up around this sport and this lovely town, Louisville. It means the world to me. It means the world to have such a team with me and behind me and such a crowd. Louisville showed out today, and that was just so awesome knowing that everyone was here for us. Looking up there and seeing the crowd flooded in black shirts was just so, so awesome.” – Addy Campbell, Louisville Catcher
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A Bright Future for Louisville Softball
“Louisville Softball to me is not just a program, and softball is not just a ball. These are my best friends, and I don’t think a lot of people can say that. I’m glad that I get to.” – Shae O’Neill, Louisville Right Fielder
With two junior Division I-recruited pitchers and several key position players returning next year, the future is bright for Lady Leopards Softball as they look to make another run in 2027!
“I think a big thing is that they know Louisville Softball isn’t just four years, from their freshman year to their senior year. They can come back at any point for anything they need. They know they can reach back out. They can come for a fun toss. They can come to our open fields. It’s not just that you’re here for four years and then see ya. We really do build relationships that will last forever, and they’re more than just players.” – Sarah Cantley, Louisville Coach
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Louisville Vs. Bloom-Carroll Softball Box Score
BULLDOGS 10, LEOPARDS 1
Team 123-456-7—R-H-E-LOB
Bloom-Carroll 004-114-0—10-13-0-7
Louisville 100-000-0—1-5-3-4
LOUISVILLE LEOPARDS BATTING
| Player | POS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | PO | A | E | LOB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leah Claugus #14 | CF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Anna Sirohman #27 | 3B | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Taylor Schneider #1 | P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Addy Campbell #4 | C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kaitlin Twinem #8 | SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Shae O’Neill #99 | RF | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Bailee Griffith #6 | DP | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Taylor Thompson #22 | 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Maggie Baker #17 | 2B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Olivia Gulling #29 | LF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Katelynn Miller #16 | LF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| TEAM | 26 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 4 |
2B: Shae O’Neill
HR: Leah Claugus
TB: Leah Claugus 4, Shae O’Neill 3
KL: Taylor Schneider, Bailee Griffith, Leah Claugus
Team RISP: 0-2
E: Anna Sirohman 2, Maggie Baker
LOUISVILLE LEOPARDS PITCHING
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | BF | AB | NP | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katelynn Miller #16 (L) | 4.0 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 66 | 46 |
| Taylor Schneider #1 | 3.0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 14 | 56 | 32 |
| TEAM | 7.0 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 38 | 33 | 122 | 78 |
WP: Taylor Schneider
HBP: Katelynn Miller
GO-FO: Katelynn Miller 2-4, Taylor Schneider 0-6
BLOOM-CARROLL BULLDOGS BATTING
| Player | POS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | PO | A | E | LOB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madelyn Gates #11 | SS | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaiden Sharrow #27 | 2B | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Emma Brandt #75 | P | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Addison Brown #14 | C | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kaitlyn Stonerock #12 | PR | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gabby Johnson #5 | CF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hayden Hubner #8 | 1B | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alaina Philip #2 | PR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lillian Schimmel #7 | RF | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Madison Kellett #1 | DP | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Maddi Walters #17 | LF | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hayden Pyles #18 | 3B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| TEAM | 33 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
2B: Gabby Johnson, Hayden Hubner, Madelyn Gates
TB: Madelyn Gates 4, Hayden Hubner 3, Gabby Johnson 2
2-Out RBI: Lillian Schimmel, Hayden Hubner 2, Emma Brandt
SH: Hayden Hubner
HBP: Maddi Walters
KL: Madison Kellett, Gabby Johnson, Jaiden Sharrow
Team RISP: 6-14
SB: Maddi Walters, Jaiden Sharrow
BLOOM-CARROLL BULLDOGS PITCHING
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | BF | AB | NP | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Brandt #75 (W) | 7.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 26 | 108 | 74 |
| TEAM | 7.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 26 | 26 | 108 | 74 |
GO-FO: Emma Brandt 6-6
First Pitch: 9:22 PM.
Duration: 2:06.
Weather: Temp: 70F
