BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (AP) — Margaretta’s middle of the lineup delivered in a big way Wednesday afternoon, and Cassidy Lane made sure the Polar Bears’ historic postseason run continued in the circle. Lucy Edwards and Lane each drove in two runs during a decisive five-run third inning as Margaretta defeated Minster 6-1 in a Division VI regional semifinal at Bowling Green State University’s Meserve Field. The victory pushed the Polar Bears to 20-5 overall and into the regional championship game for only the second time in program history. Margaretta will face either Patrick Henry or Lincolnview on Friday with a trip to the state final four on the line. Margaretta broke through in the bottom of the third after Minster starter Brianna Osterloh controlled the early innings with strikeouts and weak contact. Tessa Lane reached on a throwing error to begin the rally, and Breckyn Olson followed with Margaretta’s first hit of the game. Another Minster error by the Wildcats loaded the bases before Edwards came through with two outs, ripping the first pitch she saw into right field for a two-run single and a 2-0 lead. Lane followed immediately with one of the game’s biggest swings. After falling behind 0-2 in the count, she drove a pitch to the left-field wall for a two-run double that extended the advantage to 4-0. Brooke Hastings later added an RBI single to score Lane and cap the five-run outburst. That offensive support was more than enough for Lane, who continued her dominant postseason stretch in the circle. The senior right-hander struck out nine batters and allowed just one run on four hits in a complete-game effort. She repeatedly escaped pressure situations by overpowering Minster hitters with runners in scoring position. In the second inning, Lane stranded runners at first and second by recording consecutive strikeouts. One inning later, Minster advanced runners to second and third before Lane again answered with back-to-back strikeouts to keep the Wildcats scoreless. Minster finally broke through in the sixth inning, trimming the deficit to 5-1, but Lane shut down the threat with her ninth strikeout of the game. She retired the side in the seventh to secure the regional semifinal victory. Margaretta added another insurance run in the fifth inning when Ellaynah Schaefer led off with an infield single, stole second base and later scored on Lane’s RBI single to right field. Lane finished with two hits, including a double, and three RBIs to lead the Polar Bears offensively. Edwards added a two-run single, while Schaefer collected two hits and scored twice. Hastings drove in a run, and Olson added a hit during the pivotal third inning. Margaretta totaled eight hits despite facing one of the area’s top pitchers. Osterloh struck out 11 batters for Minster, which finished its season at 19-10 after winning the Midwest Athletic Conference championship. The Polar Bears continued a memorable athletic year for the school. Earlier this spring, Margaretta’s girls basketball team advanced to the Division VI state semifinals, and now the softball team sits one win away from joining the state’s final four. Minster 000 001 0 — 1 4 2 Margaretta 005 010 x — 6 8 2 Winning pitcher — Cassidy Lane. Losing pitcher — Brianna Osterloh. Extra-base hits — Margaretta: Cassidy Lane (2B); Minster: Schmiesing (3B). BCSN HIGHLIGHTS: Click Here