CANFIELD DOMINATES IN PINK

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CANFIELD OH- It was a night of dominance for Canfield as they showcased their abilities both at the plate and on the mound, cruising past Lakeview with a commanding 9-0 victory in the first night of the JoAnne Kernan Classic.

Leading the charge for Canfield was Leah Figueroa, whose power at the plate was evident as she launched a 2-run home run, going 1-for-3 on the night and also drawing a walk. Caylee Ortiz also contributed to the offensive onslaught, going 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs, while Sydney Lutz and Alexis Johnson chipped in with RBIs of their own.

But it was the stellar pitching performance of Malena Toth that truly stole the show. Toth was nearly flawless on the mound, giving up just 2 hits while striking out an impressive 17 batters in the shutout victory. What’s more, she managed to avoid issuing any walks, showcasing her control and command throughout the game.

Despite Toth’s dominance, Mack Stowe of Lakeview managed to find some success against her, going 2-for-3 with a double.

With the win, Canfield sets the stage for an exciting second day of the JoAnne Kernan Classic. Both Canfield and Lakeview will return to McCune Park on Saturday for more action-packed softball. Lakeview is set to face off against Columbiana at 11:00, followed by a matchup against Eastlake North at 1:00. Meanwhile, Canfield will take on McDowell at 1:00, looking to carry their momentum into another strong performance on the diamond.

ALL ROBYS AND PEARLS AT THE TOP

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AUSTINTOWN OH- The beautiful thing about sports is the merging of multiple personalities that make up a
unified team. Everyone has a role on the field, but also off of it as a teammate. Talent level aside, everyone brings a certain personality to the team and those roles serve importance in trying to craft a winning team.

When talking about personality on The Austintown-Fitch Falcons softball team, look no further than sophomore third baseman Morgan Roby! The classic jokester, Roby exemplifies what softball is and was always meant to be about, having fun! Whether that is messing with Coach Bob, her spitball shooting capabilities or the dance moves she busts out before each inning, Roby looks to be the life of every Falcons party, just don’t play Taylor Swift.

Knowing when to have fun is important, but do not let that fool you about Roby, for she is one of the most dangerous contact hitters in the entire area! Batting a staggering .556 with four extra-base hits this season at the time of this article, Roby has picked up right where she left off her freshman year.

A big family person, Roby is constantly supported by both her mother Amanda and father Mike, who seemingly never miss a game. Also, older brother Dylan who she hopes to follow in his footsteps and become a college level athlete one day.

With the skill level already present and plenty of personality to go along with it, Roby is well on her way in accomplishing her dreams; however, The Falcons are happy to keep her close to home for now.

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O’BRIEN AT HER BEST

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MCDONALD OH- Meet Isabella “Bella” O’Brien, the senior pitcher for McDonald’s dominant softball team. With her steady presence in the circle, she’s been a cornerstone of the Blue Devils’ success in Division 4.

Bella’s journey to becoming an elite pitcher has been marked by her extreme work ethic. She’s put in countless hours honing her craft, constantly striving to improve and refine her skills. Her dedication to her game has paid off, as she’s evolved into a pitcher who consistently delivers top-notch performances for her team.

One of Bella’s most impressive qualities is her mental toughness. Softball is a game of highs and lows, but Bella never seems phased by the inevitable challenges that come her way. Whether facing tough opponents or dealing with the pressure of crucial moments, she remains cool, calm, and collected on the mound, a trait that inspires confidence in her teammates.

As a leader, Bella plays a pivotal role in guiding the Blue Devils towards their goals. With McDonald aiming to repeat as district champions and secure another MVAC title, Bella’s leadership both on and off the field is invaluable. Her teammates look up to her for guidance and inspiration, knowing that she’ll always give her all to lead them to victory.

What sets Bella apart on the mound is her reliance on movement with her pitches. With a repertoire of pitches that dance and dive unpredictably through the strike zone, she keeps opposing batters guessing and off balance. When Bella is on her game, she’s a force to be reckoned with, making life difficult for hitters with her deceptive pitches.

As Bella’s senior year unfolds, she’s poised to leave a lasting legacy at McDonald. Not only will she go down as one of the best pitchers in the program’s history, but she’ll also be remembered as a profoundly impactful leader who has helped shape the team’s success. Her influence will continue to be felt long after she graduates, leaving an indelible mark on the Blue Devils’ softball program.

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LOWELLVILLE’S OFFENSE COMMANDS RESPECT

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LOWELLVILLE OH- In a high-scoring showdown, Lowellville emerged victorious with a commanding 17-7 win over Springfield on Thursday.

Leading the offensive onslaught for Lowellville was Kenna Lewis, who was on fire at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an impressive 4 RBIs and crossing the plate 3 times herself. Giuliana Alfano and Sophia Alfano also made significant contributions, each going 2-for-3 with Giuliana driving in 2 RBIs and Sophia adding 1 RBI while scoring twice. Natalee Macejko set the tone at the top of the order with a stellar 3-for-4 performance.

In the circle, Morgan Lewis put on a pitching clinic, earning the win with 5 strong innings of work. She racked up an impressive 7 strikeouts while giving up 5 earned runs, keeping Springfield’s offense at bay.

Despite the loss, Springfield had some standout performances of their own. Gina Romeo led the Tigers’ offense with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate, driving in a run and scoring one herself. Hannah Stoufer contributed with a clutch 1-for-3 performance, tallying 2 RBIs. Gracie Maldonado also had a solid outing, going 2-for-2 with a walk and crossing the plate 3 times.

In the end, it was Lowellville who came out on top, showcasing their offensive firepower and strong pitching to secure the impressive victory. With performances like these, Lowellville is proving to be a force to be reckoned with on the softball field.

RANGE STAYS HOT AGAINST ROVERS

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ROOTSTOWN, OH- Keira Brogan was on fire, snagging three hits in five at-bats as South Range Raiders sailed past Rootstown Rovers with a 7-1 victory on Thursday. Brogan launched a solo homer in the first inning, followed it up with singles in the second and seventh innings.

Jayli Wilt was equally impressive in the circle, striking out 11 Rovers. Over seven innings, she gave up just one run on six hits and kept her composure with only one walk.

The Raiders didn’t waste time getting on the scoreboard. Brogan’s solo shot in the first set the tone, and they piled on in the second inning with four more runs, fueled by dingers from Ashley Rupert and Anna Aey.

The Raiders kept the pressure with another run in the third, thanks to Riley DeCiancio’s timely single.

On the mound for Rootstown, Shelbie Krieger faced the brunt of South Range’s attack. She lasted six innings but allowed seven runs, three earned, on 10 hits, while striking out five.

The Raiders were hitting machines, amassing 11 hits. Aey, manning third base, went 2-for-4 and knocked in three runs to lead the charge. Gretchen Bartels, Rupert, and DeCiancio also had multiple hits, contributing to the team’s offensive onslaught.

Lilly Kamenash stood out for Rootstown, driving in their only run with a strong 3-for-4 performance at the plate.

South Range is gearing up to take on Niles next Monday to resume NE8 action!

WARRIORS GRAB A GRITTY VICTORY

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BELOIT OH- What a hard-fought battle it was on the softball field as West Branch emerged victorious over Minerva with a gritty 6-4 win.

Leading the charge for the Warriors was Sara Schmidt, who showcased her prowess at the plate with a stellar 2-for-3 performance, including a crucial RBI and 2 runs scored. Joining in the offensive effort were Matti Hawk, Addie Craven, and Klary McKay, each knocking in runs for West Branch with 1-for-3 performances on the day.

In the circle, Ellie Tucker was a force to be reckoned with, pitching a solid 6 innings and striking out an impressive 9 hitters. Despite giving up 3 earned runs on 3 hits, Tucker’s dominance on the mound kept Minerva’s offense in check and paved the way for West Branch’s victory.

It was a true team effort from West Branch, with every player contributing to the hard-earned win. With performances like these, the Warriors are proving to be a formidable opponent on the softball field.

RAMS HITTERS CAME TO PLAY

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- What a wild ride of a softball game! Mineral Ridge came out on top in a high-scoring showdown on Thursday night, emerging victorious with an overwhelming 17-12 win over Chalker.

Leading the charge for Mineral Ridge were some standout performances at the plate. Savannah Turek put on a show, going 2-for-3 with a powerful home run and driving in 3 crucial runs for the team. Aaliyah Wall also made her mark with a 2-for-4 performance, including a homer of her own and 2 RBIs. And let’s not forget Lily Merolillo, who contributed with a 2-for-5 effort, driving in 2 runs and crossing the plate 3 times herself.

With a total of 14 hits, Mineral Ridge’s offense was firing on all cylinders, overwhelming Chalker with their relentless attack.

In a game filled with plenty of back-and-forth action, Mineral Ridge ultimately came out on top, proving that they have what it takes to come out on top in even the highest-scoring affairs. With performances like these, Mineral Ridge is definitely a team to watch out for as the season progresses.

VIKINGS WALK IT OFF AGAINST HUBBARD

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LEAVITTSBURG OH- What a thrilling softball showdown! LaBrae pulled off an exciting walk-off victory in the bottom of the seventh inning, edging out Hubbard 3-2 in a nail-biter.

It was Mariah Jones who played the hero, delivering the game-winning hit that sent the Vikings into a frenzy and sealed the deal for LaBrae. But she wasn’t the only standout of the game.

Rylee McDonough came up clutch for the Vikings, knocking in two crucial RBIs, while Shelby Bragg set the tone at the top of the lineup with a stellar 3-for-4 performance.

On the mound, Leah DeArmitt got the start for LaBrae, tossing five solid innings and striking out seven while giving up just two earned runs on four hits. Riley Rowe came in for relief and finished strong, earning the win with two scoreless innings and one strikeout.

For Hubbard, Phoebe Rusnak led the charge at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, while Lauren Komorek and Kaylee Schultz contributed RBI hits.

Rusnak also held it down in the circle for the Eagles, going 6.2 innings and giving up just three runs on seven hits while striking out five.

It was a hard-fought battle on both sides, but in the end, it was LaBrae who emerged victorious, thanks to some late-game heroics and a gritty team effort that secured the walk-off win.

GRADISHAR AND PERFECTION GO HAND IN HAND

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GARRETSSVILLE OH-  Champion came out blazing hot and left Garfield in the dust with an impressive 17-0 victory, thanks in large part to the incredible pitching and hitting of Gabby Gradishar.

Gradishar was an absolute powerhouse, tossing a perfect game while striking out 10 batters and smashing not one, but two home runs! Talk about a one-woman wrecking crew.

But she wasn’t the only star of the show. Champion’s offense was firing on all cylinders, with Hailey Householder leading the charge with four RBIs and three hits, including a solo homer of her own. Addison Warzala and Gradishar also had three hits apiece, while Grace Hadley and Sam Strock chipped in with multiple hits of their own.

The Golden Flashes wasted no time asserting their dominance, jumping out to an early lead in the first inning and never looking back. They piled on the runs inning after inning, with every player contributing to the offensive onslaught.

And let’s not forget about the defense. Champion was flawless in the field, committing zero errors and making play after play to support Gradishar’s perfect game.

With performances like this, the Golden Flashes are proving to be a force to be reckoned with on the softball field. Watch out, because they’re just getting started.

CARDS SEEING RED IN BOARDMAN

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BOARDMAN OH- What a stellar performance on the softball diamond! Canfield came out swinging and never looked back, shutting out Boardman with a commanding 6-0 victory.

Leah Figueroa was the standout for Canfield, notching three hits in four at-bats and driving in a crucial run in the first inning to set the tone for the game. And let’s not forget about Malena Toth, who was an absolute force on the mound, striking out an impressive 14 batters while keeping Boardman’s offense at bay with just three hits allowed over seven solid innings.

Boardman’s Tori Strines did her best to keep pace in the circle, but Canfield’s relentless offense proved to be too much to handle. Despite a valiant effort, Strines surrendered five runs over five and one-third innings.

Canfield’s bats were on fire, tallying 11 hits in the game, with Jenna Triveri contributing two of her own. And with Figueroa leading the charge in the field with 11 chances and no errors, Canfield’s defense was rock-solid all game long.

Boardman had some bright spots too, with Alex Ward leading the charge with two hits, but Canfield’s dominance on both offense and defense ultimately sealed the deal. With performances like this, Canfield is definitely a team to watch out for as the season heats up.