FITCH FLIPS THE SCRIPT ON THE CARDINALS
By Ty Bartell
AUSTINTOWN, OH — In a heavyweight clash between the reigning Division I and Division II state champions, Austintown-Fitch pulled off a dramatic comeback Monday evening, rallying from a 14-5 deficit to defeat Canfield 20-15 in a wild, high-scoring affair.
Canfield (7-1-1) opened the game with back-to-back solo home runs from Jenna Triveri and Syd Lutz, setting the tone with two runs in each of the first three innings. The Cardinals then exploded for eight runs in the top of the fifth, taking a commanding 14-5 lead.
Fitch (9-1), however, responded with a staggering 10-run bottom of the fifth to take a 15-14 lead. Canfield briefly tied the game in the top of the sixth, but the Falcons answered once again with five runs in the bottom half and held Canfield scoreless in the seventh to complete the comeback.
Abby Toth powered the Falcons’ offense with two home runs, two singles and six RBI. Kaliana Ray added five singles on a perfect 5-for-5 day and drove in three runs, while Kylie Folkwein chipped in a home run, a single, and three RBI. Fitch also received contributions from Seneca Coates (two RBI via errors), Morgan Roby (two RBI), and Samantha Severn, who doubled and drove in a run.
Canfield’s offense featured a pair of home runs from Lutz, who finished with four RBI. Triveri added a home run and a single, while Marina Koenig and Alexis Johnson also homered for the Cardinals. Sofia Castronova notched three singles and three RBI to support the scoring surge. The two powerhouse programs will meet again Tuesday, April 15, this time on Canfield’s home field.
