RAIDERS BLAST THEIR WAY THROUGH GARFIELD

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CANFIELD OH- It was a beautiful day to open up the 2021 softball season on Saturday afternoon as South Range threw out the first pitch of the season with an 11-0 win over Garfield in 5.

Garfield got action started quickly as they managed to load the bases with two outs in the top of the first. Putting Raiders senior ace Bree Kohler in some pressure situations early. However, Kohler was up to the task and stranded the runners where they were at.

After holding Garfield off the scoreboard, the Raiders offense got to work in a hurry. Reagan Irons got the party started, as she launched a lead off home run to left field. Madison Dado would not be outdone though as she followed up Irons’ hone run with one of her own. The Raiders went back to back and were up 2-0 before the lady G-Men could blink. Kohler narrowly missed a third home run in a row with a deep fly out to center. The Raiders would go on to hit two more home runs as the game went on.

Madison Dado had a perfect day at the plate going 3-3 with 3 runs scored. She hit a HR and had a RBI. Juli Stachowicz went 1-3 with a HR and 2 RBI. Kelly Szolek went 1-1 with a HR and a RBI.

Kohler threw all 5 innings in the circle for the Raiders collecting the win. Her final line was 5.0 IP 3 H 0 ER 8 K 1 BB.

Elizabeth Moore took the loss for Garfield. She threw 3.0 IP gave up 11 hits and got hit with 5 ER.

The Raiders will open NE8 play on Monday as they travel to Niles.

ANDERSON PENS WITH GEORGE MASON

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West Branch Senior Jordan Anderson recently committed to continue her education along with her softball career at George Mason University. Congratulations and good luck Jordan!

*Contributed By Mike Helm at wbathletics.org

SPALDING SIGNS ON WITH PENN STATE

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AUSTINTOWN- Austintown Fitch softball standout Lydia Spalding made it official on Friday, she will be suiting up in Happy Valley as a Nittany Lion. Lydia committed early, she was verballed to Penn State in eight grade. She said the coaches and atmosphere made the choice easy. This summer Penn State made a coaching change bringing in Clarissa Crowell from Miami of Ohio. Despite the switch, Spalding did not waiver in her decision to put on the blue and white. Spalding is one of four players to sign on with Penn State for 2021.

The pitcher/outfielder has led the Falcons to back to back sectional champions in 2018 and 2019. In her freshman season at Fitch, she was named AAC player of the year. Spalding is ranked number 75 in her class by Extra Innings Softball.

Lydia took the time to talk to YSN’s Anthony Hartwig about her signing. They discuss her senior season at Fitch, things to look forward to at Penn State, and much more.

Presented By

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhbtaL-eZI[/embedyt]

SKILL AND LUCK COMBINE AS 3 LADY IRISH SIGN

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Wednesday was a big day around the country for many who signed their name to their next destinations.  The tone was similar at Ursuline as a trio of Lady Irish softball players scribbled their names to play at the next level.

Maris Barbato, Julia Nutter, and Emily Holland have all made their decisions known.  Barbato will join Toledo as a middle infielder, Nutter will attend Slippery Rock to play first base, and Holland looks to keep slinging the stone at Ohio Dominican.

“I have never identified with a group of talented players that bring so much unselfish leadership into the dugouts and practice each day, and each week” said Ursuline Head Coach, Mike Kernan.  “It’s not only their talent that separates them, but their commitment to working extremely hard to be the best, with such great teammate-first attitudes!”

Ursuline Athletic Director John DeSantis expanded on his student-athletes “Obviously these universities are getting great student-athletes, but more importantly, they are getting driven, selfless, and confident young women as well.”

The Lady Irish will look to continue their winning ways this spring after the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns with the OHSAA.

 

HOLLAND CHOOSES OHIO DOMINICAN

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Ursuline High School is proud to announce Emily Holland (2021) has verbally committed to continue her softball career at Ohio Dominican University. In 2019, Emily was selected as Division 2 All-State pitcher on Ursuline’s (25-3) #8 state-ranked team. In that season, she had a pitching record of 13-2 with a 0.83 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 84 innings. She also batted .441 with 34 RBI, 15 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 HR.  In her freshman year (Ursuline 21-5), she was 5-0 on the mound with 45 strikeouts in 32 innings with a 2.05 ERA. She also batted .408 her freshman season and was amongst the team leaders in doubles and RBIs.  Emily has started in all 54 Ursuline varsity softball games.  Academically, Emily carries a 4.5 GPA and is ranked 7th in her class.

Emily joins her teammates, Maris Barbato (Toledo) and Julia Nutter (Slippery Rock), to commit to continuing their softball careers after high school.

 

*Story courtesy of Mike Kernan

STRECANKSY COMMITS TO MARIETTA

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CANFIELD OH- South Range Softball stand out Jillian Strecansky has verbally committed to continue her softball career at Marietta.

Jillian is going into her senior season as a Raider, graduating in 2021. In her first two seasons with the Raiders Strecansky played in 34 games. She has a batting average of .265. She has hit 4 HR, and collected 18 RBI. She has also been a stable defensive catcher to a dominating pitching staff.

Marietta started the 2020 season 7-3 before the season was stopped. They finished 2019 18-18.  The Pioneers are coached by Jenn Castle who will be going in to her 3rd season at the helm.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBYa_LN4tWQ[/embedyt]

12U SOFTBALL CHAMPS CROWNED IN BOARDMAN

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BOARDMAN, OH- In a year that has been selective on what can be celebrated, Boardman Community Baseball crowned their annual champion in the 12U “Varsity” division on Tuesday Night.

Members of Signature Granite captured the 2020 title after defeating Buckeye Hospice, 14-1 in four innings.

Jenna Triveri led the way from the leadoff spot with a home run, while Gabi Sferra got the job done in the circle and at the dish; giving up a lone run in the top of the fourth inning and driving in 3 RBI offensively.

Members of the Championship team are:

Ava Freeborough, Ella Dota, Mikayla Rivera, Gabi Sferra, Ellie Wymer, Addie Rudge, Alissa McFall, Abbie Jones, Sam Banko, Marah Householder, and Jenna Triveri.

2020 MAHONING-TRUMBULL COUNTY FAST PITCH ALL-STAR GAME

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Mahoning & Trumbull County High School Senior Fastpitch All Stars
(*) – denotes playing in college
#21 Emma Ericson – Ursuline – YSU – P/1B
#6 Allison Smith – Champion – Ohio State University – P (*)
#31 Megan Ward – McDonald – Dayton University – SS (*)
#13 Cailey Titus – McDonald – YSU – OF
#21 Breanna Elser – Chalker – Cleveland State – IF/OF (*)
#1 Brook Bobbey – Poland – St. Bonaventure – CF  (*)
#3 Kali Gross – Poland – Case Western Reserve – P/IF  (*)
#21 Ally Nittoli – Poland – Mount Union – 1B (*)
#5 Rachel Wolfe  – Poland – Ohio State – OF
#2 Lena Wallace – Mathews – John Carroll – P/OF
#25 Emma Smalley – Mathews – Kent State – CF
# 33 Alyssa Serensky – Western Reserve – Bethany College – SS (*)
#23 Emma Heater – Western Reserve – Westminster College – 3B/LF
#22 Hailey Smarr – Western Reserve – YSU – OF
#2 Morgan Domitian – Western Reserve – Kent State – C
#1 Sydney Durkin – Girard – Baldwin Wallace – 2B/LF
#14 Maddie Filisky – Mooney – University of Cincinnati – P/1B
#8 Elise Armile – Mooney – University of Cincinnati – OF
#4 Caitlin Perry – Mooney – YSU – OF/C
#3 Carley Francis – Mooney – YSU – OF
#15 Ashley Mickey – Fitch – Ohio State University – 2B
#21 Kaitlyn Evanko – Fitch – YSU – 3rd/P
#44 Jenna Chmelik – Fitch – Capitol University – C (*)
#1 Maddie Bova – Struthers – YSU – 2B/SS
 #8 Renee Leonard – Struthers – YSU – OF
#4 Jackie Adler – Hubbard – Otterbien University – SS/2B (*)
#16 Lexi Flower – Hubbard – Kent Trumbull – OF
#26 Kali Dudich – South Range – Kent State – 1B/C
#13 Emily Protain – South Range – YSU – 1B/OF
#7 Destiny Goldner – Labrae – Kent State – OF/C
#27 Natalie Sisler – Labrae – YSU – C/1B
#28 Sydney Pearce – Labrae – Ohio State University – 1B/C

THE BROOKE’S NOT FINISHED

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POLAND OH- Last season, the Poland Lady Bulldogs came within a step of the state championship game. With 7 of the 9 starters returning this season, including four seniors Poland was poised to make another trip to Firestone Stadium. Senior Brooke Bobbey was especially hungry to get her program back to the state tournament. Unfortunately COVID-19 has canceled spring sports in 2020.

Bobbey’s story in softball is not finished yet even with the canceled season. Brooke is signed to play at St Bonaventure in New York next season. So even with the cancellation of spring sports, Bobbey has had to find ways to continue to stay in playing shape so she’s ready to step on campus in the fall. Her college coaches have sent over workout packets, and Brooke has plans to get on the field in summer and see live pitching any way she can.

As a three sport athlete, Bobbey has been a familiar face for Bulldog fans. She’s been spoiled with team success, as she was part of the basketball, and softball duo that only lost 2 games in the span of six months in 2019. Individually she shined on the field, as she had a batting average of .444, and an OBP of .511. In her career as a Bulldog, she has hit .446 and an OBP of .520.

Brooke also success in the classroom as she ranks 1 in her class with a 4.0 GPA. Although shifting to online admits this pandemic has been challenging, Brooke has hit it with stride to finish her senior season strong.

Anthony Hartwig has the chance to catch up with Brooke. They discussed her future plans, her favorite off field memories with the softball team, and much more. Keep up with Poland Softball in the latest Player Profile “The Brooke’s Not Finished”

Presented By

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcF8rwRTD6M[/embedyt]

MCKEEVER’S GOT THE KEYS TO VICTORY

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LOUISVILLE OH- Louisville Softball is coming off an incredible state championship season, where the last game they played was a perfect image of their whole season….crazy! A ten inning thriller with Lakota East ended with the Leopards on top. One of their keys to making the state run was Sydney McKeever.

Sydney has been playing softball for a long time, and she has her dad as a travel coach. The sport has brought the two of them even closer together. Through all the hard days this sport can bring Sydney’s work ethic shined through. It’s one of the reasons she has become a Division I talent. Highly recruited mainly for her speed, McKeever has signed to play at Toledo next season. Rockets head coach Joe Abraham had this to say on the press release about Sydney’s signing on utrockets.com. “She is incredibly fast, but more importantly she has that “it” factor on the field.”

Sydney led her team last season in steals with 24, and has collected 65. She also led her team in singles on the season with 46. In her career as a Leopard. She has 119 runs scored. Sydney promises to be a force at Toledo, and will surely be missed in coach Arney’s lineup in Louisville.

Anthony Hartwig has the chance to catch up with Sydney through video chat this week. They discussed being a state champion, her recruitment process, and much more. You won’t want to miss the debut of YSN’s Louisville Softball Player Profile with “McKevver’s Got the Keys to Victory.”

Presented By

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViPbRkFTC0o[/embedyt]