KENT — Boardman third-baseman Alex Ward had a bit of a slow start at the plate to begin the spring. But since then, she’s found her groove and proven to be one of the Spartans’ most consistent hitters throughout the season.

“We focused a lot (on hitting) in the offseason,” Ward said. “I know, speaking personally, I took a lot of time thinking about how my approach is going to be every time I’m in the box. It’s thinking, don’t be the hero — I’m singing a song to myself to stay calm, stay within yourself and just trust your instincts.

However, none of her hits were perhaps more important than her hit on Thursday.

Ward and Mikayla Rivera blasted back-to-back RBI doubles in the bottom of the first inning against Tallmadge, which proved to be all the Spartans needed, as Boardman overcame fou

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