FALCONS MERCY RULE MAYFIELD IN FIRST STEP TO DISTRICTS
By Ty Bartell
AUSTINTOWN OH- The Austintown-Fitch Falcons softball team delivered another dominant performance Wednesday evening, defeating the visiting Mayfield Wildcats 18-0 in five innings in the OHSAA Division 1 Sectional Final. With the win, the top-seeded Falcons advance to the District Semifinal, where they will face the #18 seeded Green Bulldogs, who advanced to the district-semis in the tournament by defeating both Massillon Washington and Madison.
Falcons pitcher and Georgia-Tech commit Sydnie Watts set the tone early, striking out all three Mayfield batters she faced in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, Kaliana Ray led off with a single and stole two bases before Ayla Ray followed with an RBI bunt single. Abby Toth added a two-run home run, her third of the season and second game consecutively with a long ball, to put Fitch up 3-0! Watts then doubled, and pinch runner Veda Burt later scored on a two-run home run by Samantha Severn, giving the Falcons a 5-0 lead after one.
The second inning saw Watts hit the first two Mayfield batters with pitches, despite only hitting one batter previously all season, but then recovered by striking out the next three Wildcats to end the top of the inning. In the bottom half, Kaliana Ray again sparked the offense with a bunt single and two more stolen bases. Ayla Ray then hit a two-run home run, upping her team lead totals in both homeruns (14) and RBI (48) this season. Meanwhile, Morgan Roby added an RBI double, giving the Falcons an 8-0 lead.
The Falcons continued to dominate in the third inning, scoring 10 runs with RBI doubles from Ayla Ray, Sydnie Watts, and Samantha Severn. Abby Toth contributed an RBI single, and Lily Stevens scored on a steal. With a commanding 18-0 lead, the mercy rule was in effect with one and a half innings remaining.
Senior Vita Kelty came on in relief of Watts, pitching the final two innings to secure the shutout win and striking out two batters. Watts and Kelty combined for the victory, with Watts striking out eight over three innings and Kelty fanning a pair.
Ayla Ray led the Falcons’ offense with five RBI, a home run, a double, and a single. Abby Toth nearly hit for the cycle and collected three RBI (22) , while Samantha Severn added two RBI (19) with a home run (4) and a double. Rachel Spalding chipped in with two RBI (8) on two singles, and Sydnie Watts contributed an RBI (34) on two doubles.
As the tournament progresses from the Sectional round, all remaining games will be played at neutral sites. The Youngstown State University Softball Complex will host both the District and Regional rounds. The Falcons will take on Green in the District Semifinal on Monday, May 13, with the first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. Stay updated with Austintown-Fitch softball all season long with live games, scores, stats, and stories on YSN!
