FITCH ON THE DOORSTEP OF HISTORY

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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

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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.

YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH! CARDS ONE WIN AWAY FROM A STATE TITLE

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AKRON OH- Both teams were strong in the circle Thursday, but Canfield Cardinals Varsity defeated Steubenvilw 2-1. Malena Toth allowed just one hit on the day in what turned out to be a classic pitcher’s duel.

Toth led things off in the pitcher’s circle for Canfield. The righty lasted seven innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out 11.

Julianna King was in the pitcher’s circle for the Big Red.  She went six and a third innings, allowing two runs on two hits, striking out ten and walking zero.

Hailey Freedy and Gianna Pannunzio each managed one hit to lead Canfield. Both of their hits came in the seventh inning, and both came around to score on wild pitch, and a Faith Morell suicide squeeze

Paige Mattesom went 1-for-3 at the plate to lead the Big Red in hits.  They were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error.

RAIDERS TAKING ANOTHER CRACK AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT

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CANTON OH- South Range nabbed the lead late in the game in an 8-4 victory over Champion on Friday in the DIII Regional Final. The game was tied at four with South Range batting in the top of the eighth when Anna Aey singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. The Raiders would go on to tack on three more after that in the 8th

South Range earned the victory despite allowing Champion to score three runs in the sixth inning. The Golden Flashes offense in the inning was led by Morgan Davis, Isabella Meyer, and Abigail Meadors, all driving in runs in the frame. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Champion tied things up at four.

Juli Stachowicz got the win for the Raiders. The southpaw surrendered four runs on five hits over eight innings, striking out ten and walking one.

Gabrielle Gradishar took the loss for Champion. The hurler allowed ten hits and eight runs over eight innings, striking out ten and walking one.

South Range collected ten hits on the day. Gretchen Bartels, Kelly Szolek, and Jayli Wilt all collected multiple hits. Wilt, Szolek, and Bartels each managed two hits to lead the Raiders.

Davis led Champion with two hits in four at bats. Gradishar tied Champion’s single season home run record with her 18th in the fourth inning to give Champion a 1-0 lead at the time.

South Range makes their third trip to the state semifinals since 2016.  The Raiders have won each of the last two state semifinal games they’ve played in. The Raiders are squared up with Wheelersburg with a trip to the championship on the line. That game is slated for Thursday at 12:30 at Historic Firestone Stadium in Akron.

A STATE TRIP 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- For the first time in three decades, the Fitch softball team is on its way to the OHSAA State Final Four. The Lady Falcons beat Walsh Jesuit 11-1 on Friday afternoon, winning the Division 1 Regional Championship and earning the right to play in the Division 1 State Semifinal for a chance to move on to the state title game. The Lady Falcons last appearance in the State Semifinal came in 1993 under then head coach Jerry Beltempo who led the team to an overall record of 25-4 and a win over Piqua before falling to Akron Springfield 1-0 in the State Championship Game.

After a scoreless first inning, Fitch got on the board when sophomore Samantha Severn reached second base on an error. Another error put Abby Toth on base which enabled Severn to reach third. Morgan Roby pulled off the suicide squeeze to bring Severn home for the game’s first run. The Lady Falcons took a 1-0 lead into the top of the third before the Lady Warriors got on the board after pitcher Sydnie Watts gave up a walk followed by an RBI single which tied the game at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the third.

From that point it was all Fitch. Caitlin Mitchell started the inning with a double followed by consecutive walks by fellow senior McKenna Hogan and freshman Kylie Folkwein. Samantha Severn brought Mitchell home with an RBI single which Abby Toth backed up with an RBI groundout. Roby would then reach on an error which brought in two RBIs to put the Lady Falcons up 5-1 after three. A solo home run by Sydnie Watts accounted for all of the scoring in the bottom of the fourth, but Fitch would add three more runs in the fifth as Toth and Roby had extra base hits. Pinch hitter Tina Montgomery scored Roby from third on an RBI single before Caitlin Mitchell tacked on another with an RBI single. Sydnie Watts, who also struck out eleven batters while giving up only four runs, was intentionally walked to put pinch runner Rachel Spalding on base to give McKenna Hogan the opportunity to knock in a run with an RBI groundout. Kylie Folkwein would strike out to end the inning with the Lady Falcons leading 9-1 going into the sixth.

In the top of the sixth, the defense kept the Lady Warriors off the board which gave Fitch the chance to seal the game. Severn started the bottom frame with a walk but was thrown out on a fielder’s choice which got Toth on base safely. Toth advanced to second base on a passed ball before Madi Beaudis knocked her in with an RBI single. Leadoff hitter Ayla Ray then hit a ground rule double and Caitlin Mitchell hit a walk-off RBI single to give Fitch an 11-1 win and a Regional Championship trophy.

The Lady Falcons will face the Lebanon Lady Warriors on Friday, June 2 in the State Semifinal at Firestone Stadium in Akron with the first pitch scheduled for 12:30pm. With a win, Fitch will take on the winner of the game between Whitehouse Anthony Wayne and Pataskala Watkins Memorial. The state title game is set for 3:00pm on Saturday, June 3.

*Contributed by Chris Lewis at austintownathletics.com

 

CARDINALS RIDING ON TO FIRESTONE

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MACEDONIA, OHIO- The Canfield Cardinals took the lead late and defeated the Marlington Dukes 2-1 on Friday to claim a Division II Regional Championship.

The game was tied at one with the Cardinals batting in the top of the fifth when Jenna Triveri doubled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run.

The Dukes fired up the offense in the first inning, when Emma Jackson hit a solo homer. In the top of the second inning.

The Cardinals answered quickly and tied things up at one as they scored one run when Sydney Lutz singled. Hailey Freedy, Triveri, Lutz, Malena Toth, and Gianna Pannunzio all had one hit to lead things at the plate for the Cardinals.

Toth also led things off in the circle for the Cardinals as the righthander allowed two hits and one run over seven innings, striking out ten and walking one.

Sofia Nase was on the rubber for the Dukes. The hurler went seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out five.

Canfield will now advance to the State Semifinal where they will take on the winner of Steubenville vs Unioto. The State Semifinal game is scheduled for June 1st at Firestone Stadium. First pitch will be scheduled for 3:00. 

 

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FALCONS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR TO STATE

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The Fitch softball team is still alive in the postseason after beating Berea-Midpark 2-0 in the Regional Semifinal on Wednesday thanks to an impressive day for Caitlin Mitchell which started right off the bat. In the bottom of the first, the senior got on base thanks to an error and was easily able to get to second. On the next at-bat, pitcher Sydnie Watts hit a single which scored Mitchell all the way from second base to give the Lady Falcons a quick 1-0 lead. The frame would end with runners stranded on second and third. It would be a low scoring affair on account of another great pitchers’ duel that would see Watts come out on top in the end as she picked up her ninth career no hitter. However, it was Mitchell who stole the show and another base following a single to deep left field in the bottom of the sixth inning. A sacrifice grounder by fellow senior McKenna Hogan moved Mitchell to third and freshman Kylie Folkwein then brought her home for the game sealing run with an RBI single. Fitch led 2-0 heading into the seventh and Watts closed the deal with two more strikeouts with a caught foul ball in between.

Mitchell went 2-for-3 on the day and scored both of the team’s runs. Watts’ no hitter was the ninth of her career as she struck out 17 batters in the process.

Undefeated Fitch will face Walsh Jesuit in the Regional Final for a chance to advance to the State Tournament after the Lady Warriors beat North Canton Hoover by a score of 7-3 on Wednesday night. The game is scheduled for Friday at 5:00pm at the Youngstown State University Softball Complex.

*Contributed By Chris Lewis at austintownathletics.com

AEY’S SLAM MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR SOUTH RANGE

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CANFIELD OH- South Range snatched the lead late in the game in a 4-3 victory over Triway on Wednesday in the regional semifinal. The game was tied at two with South Range batting in the top of the seventh when Anna Aey homered on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs.

South Range got things started in the first inning when Kelly Szolek singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

The Raiders evened things up at two in the top of the sixth inning. They scored one run when Samantha Susany singled.

Juli Stachowicz was credited with the victory for South Range. The lefty allowed six hits and three runs over seven innings, striking out nine and walking zero.

Carter Wachtel toed the rubber for the Titans. The hurler surrendered four runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out 15 and walking zero.

South Range socked one home run on the day. Aey had a homer in the seventh inning.

Jayli Wilt, Susany, Madison Dado, Keira Brogan, Aey, and Szolek all had one hit to lead the Raiders offense.

Hanna Massaro, Callie Robson, Emma Flinner, Michelle Lyons, Myah Lester, and Alyssa Hochstetler each managed one hit to lead Triway in hits.

South Range advances to the regional finals on Friday. They will square up with Champion at Willig Park in Canton at 5:00.

CHAMPION WINS A NAIL BITING PITCHER’S DUEL

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Gabrielle Gradishar shut down Keystone, throwing a complete game shutout and leading Champion  to a 1-0 victory on Wednesday in the regional semifinals.

The pitching was strong on both sides. Gradishar struck out 16, while Delaney Peters sat down five.

Champion got things moving in the second inning. Addison Warzala hit a solo homer.

One bright spot for Keystone was a single by Charlee Hudak in the third inning.

Gradishar earned the win for the Flashes. The ace went seven innings, allowing zero runs on four hits, striking out 16 and walking zero.

Peters took the loss for Keystone. The pitcher went seven innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out five and walking one.

Champion smacked one home run on the day. Warzala went deep in the second inning.

Warzala led the Flashes with two hits in three at bats. Champion didn’t commit a single error in the field. Warzala had the most chances in the field with 16.

Hudak went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead the Wildcats in hits.

Champion advances to the regional final where they’ll meet South Range. That game will take place at Willig Park in Canton at 5:00.

CARDINALS EASILY PLANT THEMSELVES IN REGIONAL FINAL

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MACEDONIA, OHIO- The Canfield Cardinals cruised to an easy victory over The Holy Name Green Wave 12-2 on Wednesday in the regional semifinals.

The Cardinals fired up the offense in the first inning when Hailey Freedy drove in one run with a single. The Cardinals then tallied five runs in the third inning as the offensive onslaught was led by Marina Koenig, Haydyn Merritt, Jenna Triveri, and Gianna Pannunzio, all driving in runs in the frame.

The Cardinals  had 12 hits in the game as Pannunzio, Freedy, and Faith Morell all collected multiple hits, but it was Pannunzio who led  things at the plate with three hits in four at bats.

Malena Toth got the start in the circle for the Cardinals as the pitcher allowed three hits and two runs over five innings, striking out ten.

Reagan Vavro toed the rubber for the Green Wave as she surrendered nine runs on seven hits over two and a third innings, striking out two. Victoria Shiban threw one and two-thirds innings in relief out of the bullpen.

The Cardinals will now advance to the Division II Regional Finals to take on the Marlington Dukes. 

 

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