Championship Bid Continues
Westerville Central Softball Advances to OHSAA Division II State Final, Eyes First Championship
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Westerville Central's softball team has reached the OHSAA Division II state championship game for the first time in program history, rolling past Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 7-0 in the state semifinal on June 6 at Firestone Stadium in Akron. Columbus Dispatch reported the Warhawks carry a 22-game winning streak and a 28-2 record into the final.
The Warhawks will face Kings Mills Kings in the championship game on June 7 at 4:00 PM. Both teams are making their first-ever appearance in a state final, setting up a historic matchup with no repeat champion on either sideline, according to Yahoo Sports.
Dominant Semifinal Win Ends Walsh Jesuit's Hot Streak
The 7-0 shutout was a statement victory. Walsh Jesuit had entered the semifinal riding a 23-game winning streak and had outscored their previous tournament opponents 16-4. Westerville Central silenced them completely, according to Cincinnati.com.
Sophomore pitcher Elliott Long has been the engine behind the run. She has recorded over 229 strikeouts on the season and had not thrown fewer than five strikeouts in 15 straight appearances, per research from MaxPreps. Earlier in the postseason, she threw a one-hit shutout against top-seeded Anthony Wayne in the regional final.
A Season Built on Momentum After 2025 Heartbreak
The 2026 run is being called a redemption tour. Last year, Westerville Central's season ended in a painful loss to Watkins Memorial in the district final. The team never made it past that stage — until now. This is the first state final in school history, according to Canton Repository.
The Warhawks did not get here easily. They beat Oregon Clay 9-3 in the regional semifinal, then edged Anthony Wayne 1-0 in a pitching duel at Shelby High School to win the regional title. Their overall record now stands at 28-2.
Long, Pullins Lead a Young but Dangerous Roster
The team's star pitcher is only a sophomore. Elliott Long's dominance gives Westerville Central a weapon that will return for two more seasons. Senior shortstop Hannah Pullins adds speed at the top of the lineup, leading the team with 54 stolen bases this season.
Sophomore Jane LeMasters has provided power in the postseason, including a home run in the regional semifinal win over Clay. Head coach Trevor Horn has preached a simple message all season. "Successful people keep moving," Horn said, "even when they're not perfect," according to Columbus Dispatch.
Kings Mills Brings Its Own 'First-Ever' Story to the Final
Kings Mills Kings are also making their first state final appearance. They enter at 28-1 and have outscored opponents 308-47 across the season — an average margin of more than 10 runs per game. That offensive firepower will test Long and the Central defense directly, per Yahoo Sports.
The matchup sets up as a clash of styles: Central's elite pitching versus Kings Mills' run-producing offense. Whichever team wins will claim its first state softball title. For Westerville Central, a win would also mark the first state softball championship for any school in the Westerville City School District.
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