KENT — For three straight years from 2009-11, Boardman made it to a regional final — falling short each time in close, heartbreaking fashion.

Now 14 years later, the Spartans are finally regional champions once again.

Despite not recording a hit until the fifth inning on Saturday, Boardman finally got its bats going in the sixth inning. The Spartans then rallied to score three late runs to beat Louisville 3-1 at Kent State’s Devine Diamond to capture the Division III northeast regional championship, their first regional title and first state final four appearance since 2002.

It continued a season of history-making milestones for the Spartans. First, Boardman won at least a share of the conference title for the first time in more than 20 years. Then it won its first district title since

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