FLY IT BACK! FITCH REPEATS AS STATE CHAMPIONS

By Ty Bartell

AKRON OH- The Austintown-Fitch Falcons softball team completed another magical season,
culminating in a 4-0 victory over The Watkins-Memorial Warriors in The Division I State Championship Game!

The Falcons represented the home team at Firestone Park in Akron as Sydnie Watts and The Flawless Falcon Eight defense took the field. After striking out the leadoff batter, Fitch would need the defense early.Ohio University commit Jordyn Wycuff doubled to right-center and attempted to go for third; however, two perfect throws by Kaliana Ray and Ayla Ray followed by a tag by Morgan Roby secured the second out of the inning at third! Watts would strike the following batter out looking to end the frame.

Bottom of the first and Youngstown State University commit, The Ace of Bases, Ayla Ray crushed a homerun (15) to right-center, giving Austintown an early 1-0 advantage. Warriors pitcher and Michigan State University commit Carsyn Cassady recorded a strikeout and a flyout to end the inning.

Top of the second and The Warriors worked some runners on off a rare Falcons throwing error and a pair of walks to load the bases with two outs. But Watts showed her defensive prowess as well, making an incredible play on the infield on a tough slow roller to her left outside of the circle to get the final out of the inning!

Bottom of the second and Watts proved why she is not just a pitcher by annihilating a homerun (13) to left, her third consecutive game in the playoffs with a long ball, upping the Fitch lead 2-0. Following batter Morgan Roby reached on an error and Samantha Severn would get a bunt single to set up first and second with no outs. Cassady the next two outs off a strikeout and a sacrifice bunt by Rachel Spalding to move runners to second and third. Next batter Kaliana Ray made them pay with an RBI single to center to score Roby, Severn would then score on a throwing error to third, increasing The Falcons lead to 4-0! Cassady would follow up a walk with a strikeout to end the second inning.

Cassady would then enter a grove where she would send the next six Falcons batters down in order, doing so while striking out four more. As both elite pitchers kept the score the same as the game moved to the seventh.

With three outs to go, Watts would record the first on a slow roller back to her as she applied the tag to Gracie Gerhardt. Next batter up, Grace Whitman, Would hit a line drive right to second baseman Samantha Severn for the second out. Watts would record her tenth strikeout for the games final out, as for the second year in a row, The Falcons (23-1) season culminated in a celebration at Firestone.