Lakota West wins state softball title for first time in school history

Lakota West beat Holland Springfield 9-2 on Saturday in the Division I softball state championship game at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

In its sixth trip to the state tournament, Lakota West claimed its first state championship. It reached the state semifinals last year and was state runner-in 2018. It also reached the final four in 2005, 2006 and 2011.

According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, Lakota West is the first Division I team from the Southwest District to win a state championship since 1985.

With the victory, coach Keith Castner reached a career milestone, winning his 500th game.

On the mound, KK Mathis allowed two earned runs on five hits in seven innings. She also led the offense, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs. She got Lakota West on the board with a two-run home run in the first.

Haley Hibbard drove in three runs with a RBI single in the third, a RBI groundout in the fourth and a RBI single in the sixth. Lily Volmer went 2-for-4.

It’s an @OHSAASports Division I State Championship Final-
Springfield- 2
Lakota West- 9
More pics to follow….#StateChampions pic.twitter.com/biCAT4tN2a
— Scott Kaufman (@LakotaWestAD) June 4, 2022

🥎 #OHSAA SOFTBALL: Div. I Championship – Congratulations to Division I Softball State Champion Lakota West High School! Their 9-2 win over Springfield secured the first SW Ohio Div. I championship since 1985. Coverage: https://t.co/9UXtgSZeLV pic.twitter.com/SLq2is94B4
— OHSAA Sports (@OHSAASports) June 4, 2022