Liberty Union softball defeats South Range 5-3 for OHSAA Division III state championship (2024)

Liberty Union softball head coach, Shaun Hochradel, right, checks his watch shortly before the playing of the National Anthem during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball head coach, Shaun Hochradel, right, checks his watch shortly before the playing of the National Anthem during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball head coach, Shaun Hochradel, left, holds his final pregame talk during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Akron Mayor Shams Malik claps after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game between Liberty South Union and South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range's Giada Pauline dives safely back into third base as Liberty Union's Emmalee Putnam applies the tag during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

liberty Union's catcher, Emilyn Kanet pulls down a high pitch during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Haeden Brunty makes contact during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range's second baseman Addison Wardle signals to first after nabbing a hard hit grounder that she couldn't quite convert to a play during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against Liberty Union, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range softball's head coach Jeff DeRose comes off the field after arguing a call during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against Liberty Union, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's starting pitcher, Jaiden White, tosses the softball in between pitches during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's starting pitcher, Jaiden White, delivers during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range's Solena DeJesus reacts to a double in the second inning during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against Liberty Union, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball head coach, Shaun Hochradel, applauds his team's batting efforts during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball head coach, Shaun Hochradel, walks the field during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Masie Buskirk makes contact early during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range's starting pitcher Jayli Wilt delivers during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against Liberty Union, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's starting pitcher, Jaiden White, delivers during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's shortstop Addie Osterman looks to apply the tag to a stolen base by South Range during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Emmalee Putnam makes contact during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Macie Wollenberg makes contact during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range's starting pitcher Jayli Wilt throws to first base during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against Liberty Union, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Addi Osterman, 4, chases down a blooper in the fourth inning during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Emmalee Putnam throws to first base during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range's Addison Wardle, 7, gestures on a scored run during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against Liberty Union, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's starting pitcher, Jaiden White, throws to first after fielding a bunt during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Payton Hochradel hits to left field in the fourth inning, scoring one run, during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range softball's head coach Jeff DeRose chats with the team at the pitching circle in the fourth inning during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against Liberty Union, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union celebrates runs scored in the fourth inning during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball's head coach, Shaun Hochradel, left, celebrates with catcher Emilyn Kanet after defeating South Range, 5-3, during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Addi Osterman eyes a pop-up during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's Addi Osterman dives after a sharply hit ground ball during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

South Range student-fans do push-ups to celebrate runs scored during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against Liberty Union, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union coach, Shaun Hochradel, left, disputes a call during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's starting pitcher, Suzie Shultz, and third baseman, Emmalee Putnam, right, celebrate the last out during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's starting pitcher, Suzie Shultz, and third baseman, Emmalee Putnam, right, celebrate the last out during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union's starting pitcher, Suzie Shultz, and Addi Osterman, right, celebrate the last out during an OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game against South Range, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

Liberty Union softball celebrates their OHSAA DIII State Softball championship game win against South Range, 5-3, Saturday, June, 1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.