Amherst did not achieve its first goal of winning the Southwestern Conference. But it did reach its second — winning a regional semifinal.
The Comets will play in their second regional final in program history on May 29, and Amherst coach Lacey Reichert acknowledged the ups and downs of her team’s season.
Despite suffering more losses than most teams at this point of the season, the Comets believed they were better for it.
“We have shown moments of offensive firepower, and we have shown moments of not being able to put a run on the board,” Reichert said. “Our kids never stopped believing in what our coaching staff was saying and preaching. They never stopped believing in each other, because they knew the talent was there.”
Leah Sprague connects during Amherst vs. Twinsburg softball, May 27, 2026. (Aimee Bielozer – For The Morning Journal)
On several occasions, Reichert reminded the Comets they were capable of playing better.
Amherst began the season 5-1. A loss to Elyria Catholic on April 11 started a 1-4 slump. It cost the Comets two SWC losses.
They swept SWC champion Berea-Midpark on the road and at home, but the Comets were also shut out by Elyria (2-0) and North Ridgeville (11-0).
“There were games where we told the ladies that we are better than we are playing and they knew that,” Reichert said. “They did not let a loss define their season. They did not let a shutout define their season. They kept coming to practice and buying into the coaches and each other and look at where it has gotten us.”
Since losing to Central Crossing, 7-5, on May 9, Amherst is 6-1, including the team’s playoff run.
“We are playing consistently right now. I think a lot of it has to do with how tested we were during the season,” Reichert said. “We got better as the season went on, and I think that is a credit to how strong the conference was, with the pitching that you saw and our nonconference schedule was difficult. Our kids stuck with the course.”
Amherst gears up for its first regional final in a decade, and it will be the underdog against No. 1 seed Walsh Jesuit.
With the road to the final four one game away, Walsh’s star power is the last roadblock.
The Warriors and Comets have little history against each other. They met in the 2024 Prebis Memorial Classic.
With the 2026 class being sophomores at the time, Walsh ended up winning, 7-0, behind star pitcher Natalie Susa.
Susa went on to pitch at Minnesota, and Walsh continued to reload, winning a district title in 2025 and once again in 2026.
After Amherst defeated Twinsburg, 6-1, in its regional semifinal, Reichert watched Walsh Jesuit’s game against Massillon Perry.
The Warriors shut out the 2025 regional champion Panthers, 12-0, to win their 22nd game in a row.
Tampa commit Katie Lippencott (1.97 ERA, 118 strikeouts) pitched the shutout with a 10-strikeout performance.
Lippencott is one of Walsh Jesuit’s four highly-touted recruits, which includes center fielder Ella Girard (Michigan State), shortstop Renee Brown (Clarion) and Maddie Grano (Wheeling).
Girard (.630 batting average) is the Warriors’ lead-off hitter who scored three runs with two hits, three RBIs and walked twice against Perry.
“(Walsh Jesuit) is solid,” Reichert said. “One through nine, whoever they put out there is solid. They are not going to beat themselves. They are fundamentally sound defensively. Obviously, Girard at the top of the order is a Michigan State commit. She is going to be a tough out along with all of their hitters. You are not going to get away with mistakes. They are going to make you pay.
Defensively, Amherst has All-Ohio pitcher Karina Shuster (237 strikeouts, 2.12 ERA), who pitched a three-hit, 14-strikeout performance against Twinsburg.
“(Shuster’s) big thing is going to be those first two hitters, because those first two hitters make that team go. When they get on base, they create all kinds of havoc. … We are going to try and keep those two off base. For everybody else, her movement has to be on point and get her changeup working early. She can do it, and I believe Karina is pitching her best.”
On offense, Amherst looks to remain consistent and make sure Walsh Jesuit works for every out.
“You are going to have to put the ball in play and make them get you,” Reichert said. “You can’t have 10-15 strikeouts and expect to beat a team of that caliber. We are going to have to play our best game, because you know (Walsh Jesuit) is going to.”
Despite being the underdog, Reichert likes her team’s chances, which was similar to her team’s 2024 regional semifinal against No. 1 seed Austintown-Fitch.
The catcher throws to first base during Amherst vs. Twinsburg softball, May 27, 2026. (Aimee Bielozer – For The Morning Journal)
With Shuster being a freshman at the time, Amherst gave the eventual two-time state champion its toughest challenge — a nine-inning war the Falcons barely won, 2-1.
“Our juniors and seniors were all starters on that team. They know, and they are going to get these younger girls believing,” Reichert said.
5 Amherst vs. 1 Walsh Jesuit
What: Division II Region 6 final
Where: Roehm Athletic Complex in Berea
When: 5 p.m., May 29
Records: Amherst 19-10, Walsh Jesuit 22-1
Amherst’s path: Def. Massillon Washington, 4-1, Shaker Heights, 11-0 and Twinsburg, 6-1
Walsh Jesuit’s path: Def. Akron North, 16-0, North Royalton, 13-2 and Perry, 12-0
Up next: Winner advances to the Division II State semifinal and will face the winner of (1) Westerville North and (1) Whitehouse Anhony Wayne on June 6.
Perez’s pick: Walsh Jesuit