Twinsburg falls 6-3 to Amherst despite valiant effort
The Twinsburg Tigers’ impressive 2025 softball season came to an end May 23 in the Division II district championship game, falling 6-3 to fourth-seeded Amherst at Avon. Despite a spirited comeback attempt, the 10th-seeded Tigers couldn’t overcome an early deficit against the experienced Comets program.
The Tigers faced a daunting challenge against an Amherst team making its ninth consecutive district final appearance. For Twinsburg, reaching the district championship represented a significant achievement in what had been a successful season building toward postseason success.
Early Deficit Proves Costly
Amherst jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning when Neveah Sanders and Allie Jackson opened with back-to-back singles, and Leah Sprague delivered a clutch two-RBI single to give the Comets early momentum.
The deficit grew to 4-0 in the second inning when Amherst pitcher Karina Shuster helped her own cause with a two-RBI triple, putting the Tigers in a deep hole against a program known for championship-level pitching.
Tigers Show Fight
Twinsburg refused to fold under pressure, demonstrating the resilience that carried them to the district final. In the third inning, MacKenzie Sweeney provided a spark with a two-RBI double that cut the Amherst lead to 4-2 and energized the Tigers’ dugout.
The Tigers continued to battle throughout the game, forcing Shuster to work hard for every out. Twinsburg managed nine hits against the sophomore ace and made her throw 145 pitches, showing the kind of patient, aggressive approach that got them to the championship game.
Late Rally Falls Short
Trailing 6-2 entering the late innings, the Tigers mounted one final push. Sweeney again came through with an RBI hit in the seventh inning, bringing Twinsburg within 6-3 and putting the tying run on base with runners on and two outs.
However, Shuster rose to the occasion when it mattered most, striking out the final batter to end the Tigers’ season and complete her 11-strikeout performance.
Season of Growth
While the loss stung, Twinsburg’s run to the district championship represented significant progress for the program. The Tigers showed they could compete with established programs like Amherst, which was capturing its third district title in five years.
The experience of playing in a high-pressure district final provides valuable foundation for the Tigers as they look to build on this season’s success and return to championship contention in the future
