AUSTINTOWN FITCH SOFTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH STEVE WARD

AUSTINTOWN OH- The calendar is turning, and the weather is heating up. That means softball season is in the air.  There’s no one more excited to start the year are the Fitch falcons who are coming off a state championship.  The Falcons are chomping at the bit to get things started again.  With plenty of returning starters from last years run to a title, Fitch could be considered a favorite to get back there.  However the team is putting the accolades and outside expectations on the back burner and setting their own standard on what it will take to win a second championship.

Fitch head coach Steve Ward took the time to join Ty Bartell and Anthony Hartwig to preview the season.  They discuss what it’s like refocusing for new goals this season, the returning roster, and how the schedule has been put together.  Check out Episode 1 of Coach’s Corner with Steve Ward only on YSN!

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WATTS CHOOSES GEORGIA TECH

AUSTINTOWN OH- For the last two seasons Austintown Fitch pitcher Sydnie Watts has taken the area by storm.  She has been the talk of the local softball community with her excellence in the circle.  Last season she led Fitch to their program’s first state championship.  Watts finished the championship season with a 0.38 ERA and 281 strikeouts.  She also hit .492 at the plate with  6 HR and 23 RBI.

The summer before her junior year was definitely important for her and everyone in the class of 2025. Sydnie finally was able to have contact with college coaches and make serious headway in her decision on where to play after high school. That question has been floating around pretty much since she started her first game at Fitch. “Where do you think Sydnie will play in college.” Today that question has an answer. Live on YSN’s Running Point Sydnie made the announcement that she is continuing her softball career at Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech is a technical institute in the heart of downtown Atlanta. They play in the ACC, among the names like Florida State, Clemson, and Duke.  Tech is coached by Aileen Morales. Morales played her college ball at Georgia Tech, and recently got inducted into their Hall of Fame. She took over the head coaching job in 2018 and immediately started seeing the program do things they hadn’t done in a while, like make the postseason, win over 25 games, and winning 5 conference series.  Coach Morales and her staff were a big reason why Sydnie chose Tech.

Austintown Fitch head coach Steve Ward has had a front row seat to Sydnie’s talent and ability for two seasons.  He was as excited as anyone to hear that Sydnie found a home. He had this to say about her commitment.   “Syd is such an amazing talent and that is clearly evident in the circle so what I’m really excited for Georgia Tech to continue to learn about her is how amazing she is as a teammate in and out of the dugout.”

While it is exciting to see Watts find a home, the area gets to watch her play for two more seasons at Austintown Fitch before she heads to the 404.  With plenty to still accomplish as a Falcon, Sydnie can now put all her focus on finishing her career at Fitch.

Sydnie came on YSN’s Running Point today to make her commitment public and to tell us what made Georgia Tech feel like home. She talks to the voice of the Falcons Ty Bartell about her decision, her recruiting process, and so much more. Check out this exclusive interview with future Yellow Jacket Sydnie Watts only on YSN!

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KENZIE FOWLER PREVIEWS AUSTINTOWN’S REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

WHITESTOWN IN- There’s a ton of excitement in Austintown right now as their 12u softball team plays for the Regional Championship and a trip to the Little League World Series.  The media coverage of softball on the national stage has continued to grow more and more over the years.  ESPN has poured into the sport, and this season every singe game from every single region has been streamed on ESPN+. The Little League World Series will air on the ESPN family of networks, and for the first time the World Series championship will air on network television on ABC.  ESPN has sent out some of their best analyst voices across the country to cover the regional championships. The Central Region where Austintown finds themselves got assigned to Kenzie Fowler.

Kenzie Fowler is a 2 time All American pitcher that comes out of the University of Arizona.  Her freshman season at Arizona she led her team to the WCWS in Oklahoma City.  After her career at Arizona was complete she jumped right in to the media field. She started an internship at the PAC 12 Network, and slowly but surely moved her way up to one of the premiere voices of ESPN’s softball coverage.

Kenzie was kind enough to come talk to YSN’s Anthony Hartwig after she was on the call for Austintown’s win over Indiana to clinch a spot in the Regional Final.  They preview the upcoming championship, talk about the things that make Austintown special to watch, Kenzie’s softball journey, and much more. Check out this exclusive interview with ESPN Analyst Kenzie Fowler only on YSN!

Austintown’s Regional Championship is on Friday at 3:00 on ESPN+.

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RINALDI REMEMBERS RINEHART’S LEGACY

YOUNGSTOWN OH- A lot has changed since the year 1990.  Madonna was a top selling artist, CGI was a Hollywood fantasy, and social media wasn’t even conceived yet. One thing that stayed the same from 1990-2023 was Mark Rinehart being the head coach of the Mooney softball program. Over 3 decades have past since Rinehart took the job, and those years have been filled with almost nothing but wins. 31 of the 33 seasons that Rinehart has held the reigns at Mooney have ended with a winning record.  After the 2023 season concluded, Rinehart decided to hang up the manager’s hat and stroll off into retirement. The footprints that he left on the program will never go away though.

16 of Rinehart’s players have gone on to play at the next level. One of the most decorated players to come through Mooney is Conchetta Rinaldi. The current YSU Penguin is set to finish up her career with one last season in Youngstown.  She has accomplished so much in her career, and a lot of her success would not have come without the guidance of Coach Rinehart during her time at Mooney.  Rinaldi was kind enough to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig about the legacy her former coach will leave on the Mooney program. They also talk about what the next coach should expect if they want to keep the tradition alive, some of her favorite memories with the Mooney program, and so much more. Check out this exclusive interview with a legend of Mooney’s past Conchetta Rinaldi.

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2023 YSN SOFTBALL ALL-STAR GAME ROSTERS RELEASED

EAST PALESTINE, OH- It’s once again time for the annual exclamation point and the end of an incredible sports school year, and that can only mean one thing: The YSN Softball All-Star Game.

Some of the area’s brightest stars will shine again at Youngstown State University on Wednesday evening at 7pm to showcase their talents and signature smiles.  Registration begins at 5pm, with the first pitch slated shortly after 7.

Leading the Stars will be the State Champion Coach from Division 1, Austintown Fitch, Steve Ward.  For the Stripes, it will be one of the area’s winningest coaches over the past decade, South Range’s Jeff DeRose.

Both teams are loaded with talent, and the game promises to be another great event, and an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Steel Valley, while promoting the sport of softball.

Throwing out this year’s first pitch will be recent South Range graduate, Jamie Feren.  Feren was a member of the Raider Softball Team all four years, and during a game late in the season her senior campaign suffered a broken leg that ended her season, and essentially her career.  Feren was selected to the All-YSN Team in 2023 for her work at second base.

TEAM WARD
POSITION PLAYER SCHOOL
P/1B Malena Toth Canfield
P/3B Caitlyn Pleska Columbiana
P/INF Haleigh McCalla Springfield
P/3B Brooke Brubaker Crestview
P/3B Morgan Lively Lisbon
P/OF/1B Izzy Holler St John
P/1B/2B Lexi Brown Conneaut
C/3B McKenna Hogan Austintown Fitch
C/OF Mack Stowe Lakeview
C/1B/OF Rylee McDonough LaBrae
C/2B/1B Lauren Piscatelli Beaver Local
CF/C Zoe King Howland
CF/P/SS McKenna Vencill Edgewood
OF Hailey Freedy Canfield
2B/SS/3B Caitlin Mitchell Austintown Fitch
SS/2B Alivia Morrison McDonald
CF/C/3B Mileena Williams Campbell
INF Sophia Paolillo Edgewood
INF Quinn Justham Windham
CF/RF/2B Alivia Hare Mohawk
OF/2B Julia Toth Badger
SS/2B/3B Kennedy Lewis Southern Local
UTILITY Katie Koulianos Ursuline
OF/3B Joshlynn Irey United
3B/1B/P Maddy Ylonen Mineral Ridge
2B/3B/RF/LF Lily Boylen Liberty
C/2B/SS Brenna Figley Crestview
UTILITY Reagan Wynn Sebring
TEAM DEROSE
POSITION PLAYER SCHOOL
P Faith Porter Archbishop Hoban
P Sammi Speakman Jefferson
P/1B Juli Stachowicz South Range
2B/OF/P Sam Susany South Range
P/1B/3B Emily Rosace Girard
SS/OF/P Rachel Strohmeyer Liberty
OF/P Tori Strines Boardman
C/1B Kelly Szolek South Range
C/OF Maddy Wymer Boardman
C/3B/1B Ashlie Harvey Newton Falls
OF/2B/P Hannah Heath Western Reserve
SS/2B/OF Alyssa Massucci Howland
SS/CF/LF Lauren Komorek Hubbard
SS/2B/C Ayla Ray Austintown Fitch
OF/2B/SS Kendyll Hahn Garfield
SS/3B/CF Emma Morris Struthers
SS/2B/3B Cate Davis East Liverpool
SS/2B/3B Chase Toy Salem
SS/2B/OF Mary Brant Poland
OF Paige Grope Jackson Milton
LF/RF Layla Rivera Lowellville
UTILITY Jewel Lilley Waterloo
UTILITY Isabella Rexroad Niles
OF/2B Josie Milliken West Branch
UTILITY Abby Eland Grand Valley
OF Jenna Triveri Canfield
INF Adalena-Hoss-Torino Lakeside
P/1B Katie McDonald Poland
C Sidney Conti Archbishop Hoban

The digital waiver that athletes will have to have to fill out can be found below. NOTE if an athlete is NOT 18 years of age a parent or guardian will need to sign for them.

WAIVER:

https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/4ixxdgte5ebeunbwcrulhr/web/

ALVELO CARRIES HER SMALL TOWN ROOTS TO THE BIGGEST STAGE

It’s undeniable that the valley is seeing a tremendous growth in softball talent over the last 5 years. That trend of growth is not just confined the YSN coverage map though, the whole state of Ohio is seeing a massive uptick in premier softball players.  We just watched Austintown Fitch win a state championship. Led by not just one of the best players in the state, but one of the top ranked players in the country in the Class of 2025.  Sydnie Watts is the kind of talent that programs might get once in their whole existence.  As she chases milestones and goals we wanted to hear from a player that set the tone for Ohio softball. Taran Alvelo is one of the most decorated softball players to come out of the state of Ohio.  The former Bloom Carroll standout holds multiple state records. Her 1,515 career strikeouts are the most anyone has ever had. She has the record for most career wins in the circle with 108.  Alvelo also has the record for most strikeouts in a state tournament game with 24.  Alvelo led her team to three state title games, and won one of them. During her junior season she was named Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Ohio.

Taran’s recruiting story is different than the ones we have grown used to over the last several seasons. In Taran’s time players could commit much earlier. Before she stepped on a high school field Alvelo was committed to Washington.  Seattle was a place she knew she wanted be since she saw them win the WCWS in 2009.  The purple and gold confetti stuck in her mind, and she was determined to see it herself. In her words from that moment, even at that early age she never saw that dream as one that couldn’t be reached.  With her tenacity she eventually made that dream a reality.

When people hear “committed to Washington as a freshman” they might think the journey was easy. After all if you’re not stressing about where you’ll end up, what could go wrong.  Well that’s not all true. Alvelo still had her fair share of adversity that came with her journey to Washington.  The sacrifices she had to make to stay at that level throughout her young career are more than a lot of people are willing to make.  There’s also a lot of pressure that comes with everyone knowing you’re going to play at a program like Washington. People inevitably want to see greatness fail if they aren’t a part of it.  Taran went through high school with the constant target on her back. That kind of pressure was a lot on her.  She got through it though thanks to the support from the people in her corner. Whether it was her local small town community in Carroll, or people like Washington head coach Heather Tarr constantly giving her reassurance that Washington had her back as a person. The people in Taran’s life were always able to lift her up to the next level.

Alvelo ended up not just going to Washington, but becoming one of the best pitchers in the nation during her time there. Here are some of the accolades that Alvelo gathered during her time as a Husky.  She earned freshman of the year in the Pac 12 her first year on campus, was a two time NFCA All American, as a junior she was a finalist for USA Softball’s Player of the Year, she took her Huskies to the WCWS championship series her senior year and was named on the All-WCWS team.

Washington was not the final stop on Alvelo’s softball journey. After her senior season she was drafted into the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch) league to the Aussie Peppers and was then traded to the USSSA Pride.  With the Pride Taran won the Cowles Cup.  She would continue her professional career with a stint in the Athletes Unlimited league. She recently signed back to the USSSA Pride to compete in the newly established WPF (Women’s Pro Fastpitch).  Taran continues to grow the game by paving the way for younger players to have the dream of being a professional softball player.

Taran was gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule during Opening Day in the WPF to be on YSN’s Running Point to talk about her high school career at Bloom-Carroll, she gives advice to athletes going through the recruitment process now, and so much more. Check out this exclusive interview with one of Ohio’s softball legends only on YSN.

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2023 SOFTBALL ALL YSN TEAM RELEASED

EAST PALESTINE OH- It was an exciting softball season on YSN to the very end. With three teams making it to Firestone Stadium, and Austintown Fitch winning a state title these teams gave us a ride we’ll never forget. With all that success, there is no shortage of talent in the YSN family. We’d like to take the time to shine a light on the best our YSN family has to offer. Below you’ll find our 2023 All YSN Softball Team. They are in alphabetical order by the school they represent.

Archbishop Hoban 

Faith Porter

Sidney Conti

Nylah Durham

Kennedy Bray

Ashtabula St John 

Izzy Holler

Brittany Cole

Austintown Fitch

Sydnie Watts

McKenna Hogan

Ayla Ray

Kylie Folkwein

Abby Toth

Caitlin Mitchell

Badger

Julia Toth

Sarah Betts

Beaver Local 

Lauren Piscitelli

Addison Eells

Boardman

Tori Strines

Natalie Davis

Maddie Wymer

Brookfield 

Abby DeJoy

Arianna Jones

Miranda Nicholson

Sophia Hook

Campbell Memorial

Mileena Williams

Ramani Adams

Angeliz Diaz

Canfield 

Malena Toth

Hailey Freedy

Leah Figueroa

Gianna Pannunzio

Jenna Triveri

Faith Morell

Cardinal Mooney 

Maria Fire

Champion

Gabby Gradishar

Addie Warzala

Bella Meyer

Morgan Davis

Abigail Meadors

Columbiana

Caitlynn Pleska

Mackenzi Gamble

Maryn Hepler

Ava Davanza

Cameron Perkins

Conneaut 

Lexi Brown

Crestview

Brooke Brubaker

Brenna Figley

East Liverpool 

Cate Davis

East Palestine

Gabby Andre

Edgewood 

Sophia Paolillo

McKenna Vencil

Edison 

Katie Fluharty

Audrey Scott

Olivia Frankhouser

Pam Johnson

Garfield 

Kendyll Hahn

Maddy Wilson

Kolby Fresch

Girard 

Emily Rosace

Abbie Rafferty

Grand Valley 

Abby Eland

Howland

Brooke Tatar

Alyssa Massucci

Zoe King

Cloe Lopez

Hubbard 

Phoebe Rusnak

Lauren Komorek

Haleigh Taylor

Jackson Milton 

Paige Grope

Mia Greco

Macayle Thornhill

Jefferson

Sammi Speakman

Allie Hill

LaBrae 

Rylee McDonough

Shelby Bragg

Khloe Sanderson

Lakeside 

Adalena Hoss-Torino

Lakeview

Mack Stowe

Gianna Caruso

Ella Chadwick

Maggie Pavlansky

Mohawk 

Alivia Hare

Liberty 

Rachel Strohmeyer

Mia Parker

Lisbon 

Morgan Lively

Louisville 

Matti Benson

Kenzie Denzer

Brooke Haren

Lowellville 

Layla Rivera

McDonald 

Bella O’Brien

Alivia Morrison

Kayla Helco

Miley Titus

Mineral Ridge 

Maddy Ylonen

Kelcee Dye

Lily Merolillo

Newton Falls 

Ashlie Harvey

Niles 

Isabella Rexroad

Orange 

Sarah Korland

Poland 

Mary Brant

Katie McDonald

Elliana Thompson

Leanna Boccieri

Pymatuning Valley 

Baleigh Alderman

Rieane Zajac

Brooke Gray

Saige Payne

Mariah Sharpe

Salem 

Chase Toy

Sebring 

Raegan Wynn

South Range 

Juli Stachowicz

Jamie Feren

Kelly Szolek

Sam Susany

Maddie Dado

Anna Aey

Keira Brogan

Southern 

Kennedy Lewis

Springfield 

Haleigh McCalla

Madi Lesnak

Jacey Mullen

Emily Gerthung

Struthers 

Emma Morris

United 

Tori Firth

Joshlynn Irey

Madelyn Lucas

Matilyn Zines

Ursuline

Mia Opalick

Katie Koulianos

Savannah Patrone

Waterloo 

Jewel Lilley

Wellsville 

Kaylee Rawson

West Branch

Josie Miliken

Addi Craven

Matti Hawk

Western Reserve 

Hannah Heath

Allison Jones

Cailey Selley

Kaleigh Williams

Windham

Quinn Justham

 

 

FITCH FINISHES THE JOB AND EARNS PROGRAM’S FIRST STATE TITLE

AKRON OH- The Austintown Fitch Lady Falcons can officially call themselves State Champions. The team won Saturday’s 2023 OHSAA Division 1 State Softball Championship Game by beating Whitehouse Anthony Wayne by a score of 6-1 at Firestone Stadium in Akron. The win marks the first state title in the program’s history and caps off a season that saw the team go undefeated with a record of 22-0-2.

After pitcher Sydnie Watts walked the first batter she faced, a steal followed by an RBI single put Anthony Wayne on top 1-0 after one inning of play. Neither team could generate much offense in the second, but Ayla Ray led off the top of the third with a bunt single and got to second base on an intentional walk of Watts. A Kylie Folkwein single brought Ray home to tie things up at one run apiece at the end of three where it would stay until Ray’s next at-bat.

The junior belted a solo home run to lead off the fifth and it was all Fitch needed to get the offensive juices flowing. Senior Caitlin Mitchell singled and then got to second safely on a wild pitch before stealing third. Folkwein then knocked a long triple which easily scored Mitchell for a 3-1 lead. The freshman then stole home on a passed ball to give Fitch some more breathing room. Samantha Severn singled and then took second base on a wild pitch after which a double by Madi Beaudis moved her to third where she also stole home after tagging up on a foul ball. Suddenly it was 5-1, Lady Falcons with two and a half innings left to play.

In the top of the seventh, Folkwein came through again with a monster double giving Fitch a runner in scoring position. A fielder’s choice put Severn out at first but the defense got greedy. Advancing to third on the fieder’s choice, an attempt to get a double play turned into an overthrown ball giving Folkwein the chance to score and giving Fitch a 6-1 lead.

Three outs away from their first ever state title, the Lady Falcons put their faith in sophomore pitching phenom Sydnie Watts to put the game away. She’d strike out the first batter before Anthony Wayne was able to put two runners on base, but Watts lived up to the hype with help from the defense before clearing the dugout for the postgame celebration with her fifteenth strikeout of the day.

It was a storybook ending to a storybook season which won’t soon be forgotten by anyone in Falcon Country.

*Contributed By Chris Lewis at austintownathletics.com

FITCH ON THE DOORSTEP OF HISTORY

AKRON OH- The 2023 OHSAA Division 1 Softball State Championship will feature the Austintown Fitch Lady Falcons after they beat Lebanon 3-0 on a steamy 90 degree day at Firestone Stadium in Akron on Friday afternoon. Pitcher Sydnie Watts tossed her fifth no hitter of the season giving her eleven for her career, and Samantha Severn came through in the clutch accounting for two of the team’s three runs.

After Watts and the defense retired the side in the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Ayla Ray smacked a double to deep center to jumpstart the Lady Falcons offense. A bunt single by Watts brought in Ray for the game’s first score before pinch runner Tina Montgomery stole second and was moved to third by a McKenna Hogan single. With runners at second and third thanks to a stolen base by pinch runner Rachel Spalding, Severn stepped up and delivered with an RBI base hit. That would score Montgomery but Spalding was thrown out at the plate with Fitch leading 2-0 after one inning of play.

The Lady Falcons would threaten to add to their lead in the bottom of the third with Caitlin Mitchell hitting a double, but she would be left stranded there. In the next frame, Mitchell came up with three huge defensive plays on three consecutive grounders, the sequence highlighted by a diving stop on which she had to throw from her knees to get the out at first base. Sparked by the defensive effort, Kylie Folkwein got on base with a double before Severn came to the plate to knock Folkwein home with an RBI single which turned into a double on the unsuccessful throw to home plate. Severn would ulitmately end up on third thanks to an error on the play. But unfortunately, that was all the scoring for the Lady Falcons as the next three batters went down in succession. But, the 3-0 lead was all Fitch would need heading into the fifth inning. Watts went on to strike out six of the next nine batters before a ground out to first base sealed the win to send the Lady Falcons to the title game.

Fitch will now take their 22-0-2 record into the State Championship Game where they’ll play Whitehouse Anthony Wayne which moved to 28-3 after beating Pataskala Watkins Memorial 2-1 the earlier semifinal. First pitch is set for tomorrow at 3:00pm at Firestone Stadium in Akron.

*Contributed By Chris Lewis at austintownathletics.com

LAST DANCE; SOUTH RANGE FALLS SHORT OF TITLE GAME

AKRON, OH- For the South Range Softball Seniors, it will be a ride they will surely never forget.  However, the ending wasn’t ultimately the one they were hoping for in a 6-1 loss to Wheelersburg in the D3 Semi-Final game at Firestone Stadium.

South Range fell behind in the bottom of the first, as Wheelersburg started their offensive barrage with a single into right field by Boggs, scoring Estep.  From there, the Lady Pirates put up runs in 4 consecutive innings and kept the Lady Raiders offense silent until the top of the fifth inning.

The Lady Raiders were able to get runners on base, but fell short with timely hitting- something that hasn’t happened much this year for the Burgundy and Gold.

Juli Stachowicz capped her career with South Range with a six-inning performance, giving up six runs on six hits, only three of those runs being earned.  Stachowicz also struck out three and walked a pair.

Offensively, South Range outhit Wheelersburg 7-6, and featured a multi-hit performance from Keira Brogan, as well as hits from Sam Susany, Juli Stachowicz, Jayli Wilt, Anna Aey, and Ashley Rupert.

Maddie Dado would have the only bag swipe for the Raiders.

South Range finishes their season 26-4 and will have to make space in the trophy case for NE8, District, and Regional Championships during the campaign.