Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Lakeview sophomore Makenna Werner scores during the top of the third inning Monday evening at Poland. The Bulldogs trail NE8 rival through three and two-thirds innings after rain suspended Monday night's contest.

POLAND — Early in 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and just like lead singer John Fogerty, many area softball and baseball coaches are asking “Who’ll Stop the Rain.”

Following an absolutely picturesque weekend in the Mahoning Valley, undesirable weather once again threw a wrench into the local sports scene Monday evening as a vital Northeast-8 duel between Poland and Lakeview was suspended with two outs in the top of the fourth and Raegan Schick on first, with Poland leading 3-1.

The battle of the Bulldogs will have to wait until later this afternoon, with the conclusion of Monday night’s game to precede the schools’ regularly scheduled game for today — although field conditions may change the host site from Lakeview to Poland.

Lakeview (5-4) found the scoring column first during the top of the third, with junior Gianna Caruso smashing the ball to right field to score sophomore Makenna Werner, who drew a one out walk earlier in the frame.

Poland (9-5) would immediately send a reply, plating a trio of runs on just a single hit, taking advantage of some defensive miscues, with Emily Denney, Connie Cougras, and Mary Brant all finding their ways around the base paths to help their team build a 3-1 lead, with Abby Farber scoring Cougras on a sacrifice fly to record an RBI.

In many regards, it’s been a difficult spring to find time on the diamond, whether it’s rain, freezing temperatures, or even in a few cases, snow.

Poland hasn’t had the opportunity to cut town and find playing time in warmer pastures down south, and they see their 14 games played as something significant considering the circumstances.

“There are some teams that have eight games or seven games in, so I give our administration and grounds crew credit,” Poland coach Jim Serich said about playing 14 games so far. “Brian (Banfield) does a great job, him and Matt McKenzie are the two guys that come down and work on this field, it’s the only reason we’ve played a few times. That’s all in Northeast Ohio, so I give those guys a lot of credit for having this field ready a few times when I thought there was no way we were going to play.

“Their mentality hasn’t changed even though we’ve had the ups and downs of playing and not playing. I did tell them, we’re not going back in the gym. It’s too late in the year, days off do more for them then going back into the gym. If we need to tweak something, then we’ll tweak it on the fly, but we’re pretty much settled in on where we’re at.”

On the flip side, Lakeview has played a single digit number of games with nine contests, having to also traverse the storms that have plagued the Bulldogs’ slate.

Without playing consistently, it can be difficult to find that extra edge.

“Last week was the first time we’ve played three days in a row and it felt good, it’s weird this is the first time we’ve played on a Monday all year, like a Monday/Tuesday is the way our conference is supposed to be,” Lakeview coach Nate Schick said. “It is hard, it’s a challenge for the girls, it’s a challenge for the coaches because we’re still learning. We’re approaching May 1st and tournament draw, and we’re still learning our rotations and what girls do well and what girls don’t do well.

“It’s our job as coaches to put them in the best position to succeed and it’s hard to find that position when we don’t play.”

On Monday, Poland’s Katie McDonald pitched the full 3.2 innings that were played and only allowed a pair of hits on an earned run and three strikeouts. Lakeview’s Ella Chadwick struck out one batter in three innings of work.

Connie Cougras led Poland with two hits in two at-bats while Kylie Imes and Gianna Caruso recorded both of Lakeview’s hits.