AKRON — Mathews softball coach Jim Nicula says he routinely tells his players to turn the page when something bad happens.

The Mustangs did that Thursday during their Division IV regional semifinal against East Canton at Firestone Stadium.

On a few occasions, the Mustangs overcame an earlier mistake, got a second chance and produced key plays during a 3-1 victory.

“Everyone’s liable to make an error or make a mistake here or there, it’s part of the game,” Nicula said. “But these girls bounce back at their next opportunity and I think we saw that today. We preach to them to have short memories. We never want to see bitterness or feeling sorry for yourself types of attitudes. Just move on. Until the last pitch of the game, you have opportunities.”

The Mustangs (26-4) will play Cuyahoga Heights (22-4) in the regional final at 10 a.m. Saturday at Firestone Stadium. The winner advances to a state semifinal next Thursday.

With the game tied at 1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Ashley Deans led off with a bunt single. The Mustangs’ senior center fielder, who has 14 home runs, had missed a bunt signal from Nicula in the fourth inning and flied out to center field.

This time, she was joyous to get the bunt down.

“We had some miscommunication earlier, but karma was on my side and I got another chance at it,” Deans said. “Once I got that second opportunity, I had to do it. It was like fate.”

A wild pitch sent Deans to second base and then the Mustangs followed her lead.

Junior shortstop Emma Gates beat out a bunt single and continued to second when first baseman Emily Kline threw to third base after Deans rounded the base strong. Chloe Sweitzer then dropped a perfect bunt down and flew to first base safely beating the throw, as Deans scored to make it 2-1.

Gianna Toto also bunted and third baseman Alyssa Wahl fielded the ball and threw to catcher Tori Hankins, but it was too late to get Gates out.

“We small-ball all the time, but it’s a mix because we’ve also got two girls who can really slug it,” Nicula said. “Ashley’s got 14 home runs and Emma has 11. But both of those girls are fast, too.”