AVON LAKE — Second verse, same as the first.

This time with a trip to the regional final on the line, Mathews picked up its second win over Chalker this season, downing the Wildcats, 4-0, in a Division VII regional semifinal.

“They came ready to play,” Mathews coach Jim Nicula said. “I just told them, this has been a journey, as we know, for three years here, four for them as a team. Embrace every moment because nothing’s guaranteed. You don’t ever get it back. Be great and play great. Great players rise up in big games, and we had that today.”

Those great moments came early for the Mustangs with a Maddy Hufford home run setting the tone in the top of the first.

It also came from an 11-strikeout performance from Olivia Matheny.

Up and down the lineup, Mathews made plays when and where

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