Madison Wendel doubled and drove in one run while striking out eight Paulding batters on the mound to lead the Coldwater Cavaliers to a 5-3 win over the host Panthers Friday night in Division III sectional softball action.
Wendel gave up just six hits and two walks to Paulding as the Cavaliers advanced to Division III district tournament play against Fort Recovery.
The orange and black went in front for good in the third inning, scoring a trio of runs in the frame. Paulding picked up one run in the bottom of the third before both teams scored once in the fifth to put Coldwater on top 4-2.
After the Lady Panthers closed the gap to 4-3 in the sixth, Coldwater sealed the game in the seventh with a run to set the final at 5-3.
Tia Mendez took the loss for the maroon and white, fanning seven Cavalier hitters but surrendered five hits, five runs (three earned) and nine walks.
Rachel Schroyer doubled and scored twice for Coldwater with Dana Zahn doubling, scoring once and driving in one run. Tori Timmerman also doubled and picked up a run batted in for the Lady Cavaliers.
Avery Knapke singled for the Mercer County squad with Libby Grieshop and Claire Steinke both scoring a run.
Maci Kauser, Cadence Schwab, Mariah Klopfenstein and Jalyn Klopfenstein all had one single for Paulding with Samantha Leal posting two singles.
Addison Shull, Olivia Breier and Leal scored runs for the Lady Panthers with Kauser and Schwab driving in one run each.
