By Phil Keren

Correspondent

Though her players were disappointed following a season-ending loss in the regional championship game on Saturday, Mogadore softball head coach Calee Lung encouraged them to see the silver lining.

Lung said she reminded her young team (five sophomores and a freshman) that “they did

something special this year. No one expected them to be here and they need to keep their heads up.”

Mogadore (16-7-1) lost to Dalton, 3-0, in the Division VI, Region 21 championship game at North Ridgeville High School due in large part to a dominant performance by Dalton (23-5) junior pitcher Mei Simmons.

Simmons tossed a one-hitter, struck out 12 and only allowed one walk.

Mogadore sophomore Morgen Smith ended Simmons’ no-hit bid with a single to right field in the top of the fifth inning.

In her pregame instructions, Lung said she encouraged her players to be aggressive and told them, “don’t let someone in blue call you out in this game.”

Five of Simmons’ 12 strikeouts came on called third strikes.

“They were just frozen,” Lung said. “I don’t know if (the ball) was moving on them, but our bats were not our bats today. That’s the only thing I can say is this team hits and we did not do that today.”

Mogadore sophomore pitcher Tali Bartholomew had four strikeouts, no walks and gave up eight base hits over six innings of work.

“I think she performed outstanding,” Lung said. “I’m excited that I get to keep her for longer … I think she’s going to be the one that gets us where we need to go next.”

Dalton scored twice in the third inning and once in the fifth. With one out in the third inning, Dalton junior Hannah Wenger beat out a throw to first base on a ground ball to the shortstop.

Wenger moved to third base thanks to a sacrifice bunt by junior Sara Geibel and an infield hit by Simmons. Wenger then scored on a wild pitch. Simmons crossed the plate following a single by junior Kenna Doty to give Dalton a 2-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Wenger made it to first on an infield hit, then stole second base and moved to third when Simmons grounded out. A single to center field by Doty scored Wenger to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.

Saturday’s game was the final one for five Mogadore seniors: Peyton Walker, Mackenzie Shellenbarger, Embry Hudak, Rylee Clark and Jayden Miller. Lung praised her veteran players for mentoring the younger players and serving as leaders on the field.

“Each and every one of them had their own role and they each stepped up into that role,” Lung said. “Whether it be taking a younger girl under their arm at practice or being the voice on the field, each and every single one of them fulfilled the role that was placed in front of them and took it and ran with it.”

With several underclassmen playing major roles on the 2026 team, Lung said she believes the future is promising for the Wildcats.

“I’m super-excited and I hope that they see what they can do and continue to strive toward that and just become better from this point forward,” Lung said.

As much as she wants to see her team continue to succeed, Lung said she also hoped her players keep the game in its proper perspective.

“I think they all know what they’re capable of and what they need to do to get there,” she said. “I think they’re all really, really hard on themselves and they need to realize that softball doesn’t define them as a person. It’s just a game.”