Mentor Battling Undefeated Hoover at State Semifinal Softball Game Thursday

North Canton is hoping to make its seventh trip to the state softball tournament to defend its title. Mentor is revving up for its first appearance at the state semifinals Thursday at 10 a.m. at Akron’s Firestone Stadium.

The winner advances to Saturday's state championship game.

Both teams and several players have had impressive seasons so far. Especially Caly Russo, Hoover's pitcher. For a feature on Russo, read this Canton Repository story. 

North Canton is currently undefeated going into the state semifinal game. The Cardinals are 20-10. 

"In my wildest dreams I never though this would happen this year," head coach Emily Strobel said about this historic run, reports our partners at WEWS.

The Mentor softball season was not without adversity. Strobel, who is in her first season as head coach, was hit in the head with a bat while standing near the batting cage back in April. She was just recently medically cleared to coach and teach again at the school. Strobel makes light of the situation saying it took "three moms and two players" to convince her she was not OK.

 Strobel, who played for Mentor back in 2004-2007, suffered some internal bleeding and memory loss during her recovery.

In Strobel's absence, assistant coach Kate Adoryan ran the team with another assistant and led the team to a 20-win season and a trip to the state semifinals.

"We knew the team was going to be good this season and this is just so awesome for the girls being the first time to the states," Adoryan said.

Strobel is confident her team will give the Vikings everything they have.

"It will be a great game. I am very proud of what our girls have overcome to get to this point in the season," she said.

Click here to view the NewsNet5.com story.