NORTH JACKSON — An impressive run for the 10th-seeded Western Reserve softball team came to an end on Monday at Jackson-Milton in the Division IV district semifinals against East Canton.

Even though Western Reserve fell 9-1, the Blue Devils even surprised their coach, Mike Cook, with their success this season.

“I was absolutely surprised with the results this season,” Cook said. “We came in with a very young team. We have a new coaching staff. We just wanted to get better every day. We talked about climbing one step of the ladder every day.”

The Devils climbed the ladder with two tournament victories over Maplewood and Jackson-Milton.

“I wish we could continue to go,” Cook said. “Our senior, Alaina Welsch, met with the girls privately. She got them on board with us. We won a lot more games than we anticipated.”

After Joanie Dagnan’s cue-ball shot through the infield dirt got her a single, Western Reserve had a pair of runners on with one out. Unfortunately the Devils failed to score in the top of the fourth.

Dagnan pitched for the Devils, and shut down East Canton in the first two innings. However, after she fielded a hot shot back to the mound in the bottom of the third, her throw over to first base was dropped.

The Hornets placed a perfect bunt. They followed with a double, and the floodgates began to open. After a sacrifice fly and a long fly ball just out of the reach of the left fielder’s glove, East Canton put five runs on the board in the inning.

East Canton added another run in the bottom of the fifth before the Devils got in the scoring column in the top of the sixth.

“I think we did a nice job of competing today,” Cook said. “I told the players, after the game, not to hang their heads. I told them that they have nothing to be ashamed of, and that we will be back.”

Welsch was certainly doing everything she could to keep Western Reserve’s season alive. Her one-out RBI single came on a solid base hit to the outfield. Caylee Selley came home to score on the play. Maggie Byers followed with a bloop hit over the second baseman.

“I’m glad that I got a chance to play with these coaches,” Welsch said. “I honestly wasn’t expecting to make it this far. This is the farthest we made it in my career. I’m happy. We put it all together and showed that we really wanted it. They have a lot of potential. I can’t wait to see what they do next year.”