While the season didn’t end the way they wanted, this time in an 11-6 loss to Bloomfield in the opening round of the sectional tournament, the Bears had greatly improved upon their last season, ending the year with an 8-10 record.

“We had a good season,” first-year coach Missy Brock said. “(In 2019), they went 1-20, and this year we went 8-9 in the regular season, so we did pretty well. Tonight we had some errors and hit six batters and had some walks that hurt us, but overall I’m proud of the job they did.”

After Gracie Duko and Haleigh Brock both rounded the bases in the bottom of the first, Leetonia got out to a 2-1 lead.

That was the last time the Bears held the lead, however, as Cardinals senior Olivia Foster sent two runners home in the top of the second for a 3-2 Bloomfield advantage.

Staff photo / Brian Yauger Leetonia senior Delaney Roller sprints home to score on a wild pitch on Monday.

Leetonia was able to close the gap twice, with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the bottom of the fifth, but Bloomfield continued to add to the scoreboard.

The Bears graduate a strong senior class of four players that will leave four large holes in the lineup next season. Haleigh Brock, Taran Ferry, Megan Rosko and Delaney Roller all leave the program and will need their spots filled.

“They’re going to leave a big hole here next year,” coach Brock said. “There’s four good seniors who are going to be really hard to replace. Our catcher (Megan Rosko) is phenomenal. She broke the record here for home runs and RBIs this year. (Haleigh Brock) is great. I think she struck out three times the whole year. Her batting was on point.

“(Roller) was solid and then Ferry, our centerfielder, so they’re going to have some big holes to fill. There’s going to be some freshmen next year, who are going to be able to come in and play, but they’re going to be a young team.”

With the win, Bloomfield (7-8) advances to its sectional bracket final, where they’ll face Badger. The win marks the first tournament victory in program history.

Staff photo / Brian Yauger: Bears junior Gracie Duko runs to home plate to tie the game at 1 in the bottom of the first.

The Bears look to continue building their program and expect the success they had this season to attract more players than in years past. The key for future success to Brock starts in the circle.

With only one pitcher this past season, Leetonia needs someone to step into the circle in relief in case of emergency.

“I think there’s girls who didn’t come out, who I think maybe will come out after seeing that there was some success in the program,” Brock said. “Hopefully next year some of those kids who didn’t come out this year will come out.

“We’re going to have to get those pitchers starting. That’s where we’ve struggled all year. We really only have one pitcher and when you get into trouble or something you don’t have anyone to back her up. We’re gonna have to start working on the younger pitching.”