The Riverside softball team isn’t taking any chances.
No matter what team lines up across from them, not just this season but from here on out, the Beavers aren’t taking anything — or anyone — for granted.
So when an 8-12 Solon team came to Mentor for a Division II district final on May 22, the defending Division II state champs didn’t blink. They just took care of business.
Ignited early by the bat of Brooklynn Kleps, which got the hot-hitting Beavers going, Riverside run-ruled the Comets, 11-1, to clinch another regional berth. Riverside (25-4) will face Avon (14-13) in a regional semifinal at 5 p.m. on May 27 at the Willig Softball Complex in Canton.
The Beavers are two wins away from returning to the state tournament for a run at their second straight state title.
Riverside’s Clara Granchi struck out 10 in a Division II district final on May 22 in Mentor. The Beavers defeated Solon, 11-1. (Paul DiCicco – For The News-Herald)
“There excited to get (to regionals), don’t get me wrong,” Coach Bill Ross said. “It’s great to win districts, but our expectations are high. We’re hoping it’s just another step for us.”
When the run-rule victory was achieved, the Beavers celebrated — somewhat mildly — and gladly collected their district medals and gold trophy. But they did so with an eye on the next step.
“It’s not (the end goal),” junior Emma Wilhelm said. “We’re looking for more. This is definitely a big step. We need to get through every game. It’s a big confidence-booster, but we need to keep this going.”
It took Riverside a little while to really kick things into high gear. But once the Beavers did, there wasn’t much Solon could do to stop the momentum. When Wilhelm tripled in Clara Granchi and scored on a wild pitch, it was a 2-0 game. An inning later, Kleps singled in Olivia Powell to make it 3-0.
It was still a manageable game for the Comets, until the fourth inning. That’s when Kleps ripped a two-run double and Clara Granchi followed with a double of her own to make it 5-0, Another Wilhelm RBI and a run coming across on a passed ball helped fuel the five-run rally to make it 8-0.
“That team hits the ball,” Solon coach Joe Pfundstein said. “Our bugaboo all year has been unforced errors. You can’t give a good team like Riverside that many chances. We got behind and kinda struggled. We held our own and battled. I’m very proud of that.”
Solon got on the board in the top of the fifth when Izzy Shima led off with a double, was sacrificed to third and scored on a Kennedy Prelog grounder to make it 8-1. That mini-rally was nice, but Pfundstein pointed to the previous inning as his team’s breaking point.
That’s when Solon had the bases loaded with none out, only to get mowed down via three Clara Granchi strikeouts.
“That gave them the lift they needed,” Pfundstein said of the Beavers’ ignition.
Riverside put the final touches on the run-rule game in the bottom of the sixth when Wilhelm, Maddy Kevern and Jenna Janezic all drove in runs with one out to end the game and send Riverside to the regional tourney.
Wilhelm led Riverside with three hits and three RBI. Out of the nine-hole, Kleps had two hits and three RBI.
PHOTOS: Riverside vs. Solon softball, May 22, 2026
“Just try to hit the ball hard and not put any pressure on myself,” Kleps said. “When there’s a runner on, get them home.”
Said Wilhelm of her big day, “I just go in and look for a ball I can hit.”
Solon was limited to two hits, but left three runners in scoring position.
Despite the loss, Pfundstein took measure of his team’s accomplishments.
“It’s huge for our program,” he said of earning a district runner-up trophy. “Last Tuesday was our first playoff win in the last seven years. I look for a great future for our program. I’m obviously disappointed we lost, but the future looks bright.”
As it does for Riverside, which is headed back to the regional tournament with a business-like attitude. Ross said the season’s rigors have prepared his team for the moment, noting, “I think these girls are ready for everything that’s thrown at them.”
“We’ve just got to play our brand of softball,” Ross said. “Our dugout is the dugout that matters to us. If we go out and play our brand of softball, we should so good things.”