Tag Archive for: Akron

KNIGHTS CONQUER LANCERS

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By Ty Bartell

AKRON, Ohio – The Archbishop Hoban Knights boys basketball team powered past the Gilmour Academy Lancers with a decisive 65-45 victory Friday night, improving their record to 13-1 on the season. 

Hoban set the tone early, outscoring Gilmour 21-13 in the first quarter and extending their lead to 38-24 by halftime. The Knights maintained control through the second half, holding the Lancers to just five points in the fourth quarter to seal the 20-point win. 

The Knights showcased a balanced offensive attack, with Kenny Scott leading the way with 17 points, including a perfect 6-for-6 performance at the free-throw line. James McCarthy and Deron Jennings added 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Kamran Ensley contributed 10 points and four rebounds. 

Gilmour Academy (9-6) struggled to keep pace despite a team-high 13 points from David Pfundstein and 10 points from Nick Iliano. The Lancers shot 2-for-9 from beyond the arc and managed only three free throws on nine attempts. 

Hoban’s efficiency from the field, highlighted by 20 two-point field goals and five three-pointers, coupled with strong defensive play, was key to their success. 

The Knights will look to continue their winning streak when they travel to face the Brunswick Blue Devils (10-3) on Saturday, January 25, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.


CHASING BIRDIES

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CANFIELD, OH- In the ever-competitive world of high school sports, few stories are as inspiring as that of Nate Miller, the young golfing sensation from Canfield High School. Nate recently joined us on the Canfield Player Profile, hosted by DJ Yokley, to share insights into his journey, passion, and future aspirations.

Nate, currently ranked as the number two golfer on his team, is not just striving to enhance his skills but also aiming for the coveted number one spot. His close friendship and friendly rivalry with teammate Mickey Fairways have played a significant role in his development. “It’s just so fun to see him play all the time and him just shooting these low numbers. It’s awesome,” Nate expressed with genuine admiration for his friend.

Nate’s entry into the world of golf is an unconventional tale. Influenced by his father’s humorous yet motivational remark during a winter break trip to Florida, Nate decided to pursue the sport earnestly. Since then, his dedication has been unwavering. Despite initial struggles, Nate’s perseverance has paid off, exemplified by his consistent iron and driver play—key aspects of his strong golfing repertoire. “The feeling of getting better every time I went out just really kept me in it,” he shared.

The interview also revealed the light-hearted side of Nate’s life, from his gaming battles on the PS5 to his fondness for computers, a gift that left a lasting impact on him. It’s clear that his parents play a pivotal support role; his father, with tough love, and his mother, with her nurturing nature, balance his personal and athletic growth.

Looking ahead, Nate aspires to attend college, perhaps majoring in business and continuing his golfing career at the collegiate level. His practical outlook is inspired by his father’s career in insurance, guided by a business degree.

When asked about his dream vacation, Nate revealed a desire to explore Japan, drawn by its dynamic nightlife and cultural richness. Of course, he would make time for golf on the panoramic courses nestled in the mountains. “The golf courses in the mountains would be awesome to play,” he envisioned with excitement.

Nate Miller is not just a promising golfer but a testament to dedication, friendship, and ambition. As he continues to tee off on the path to success, the Canfield community and golf fans alike will undoubtedly keep a close watch on this budding talent.

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ST. ED’S SLIPS PAST KNIGHTS

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AKRON, OH- It all came down to the wire on Monday as the Hoban Knights fell to St. Edwards 4-3, with the game clincher hitting the gap for a double in the nail-biting bottom of the seventh, breaking the tie.

Hoban snagged the lead early with a run scoring off a wild pitch. St. Edwards responded in the second, tying it up when #26 knocked a clean single.

The Knights nudged ahead in the third thanks to Andrew Karhoff’s RBI single, then padded their lead to 3-1. But St. Edwards wasn’t done. They rallied back in the sixth, tying the game once again through a clutch hit by Karlo Hepp and a sacrifice fly by Drew Mahle.

In a duel of the bullpens, Brandon Florjancic from St. Edwards came out on top, tossing two solid innings, keeping Hoban at bay while striking out three. Karhoff, despite his efforts at the plate, took the loss for Hoban after surrendering the decisive run in his 1.1 innings of work.

On the mound to start, Breyan Stewart put up a valiant effort for Hoban, letting through just three runs across five innings, while Henry Slaboy for St. Edwards matched the intensity with a nine-strikeout performance.

At the dish, Karhoff and Grady Falkenstein were the sparks for Hoban, with Falkenstein going 2-for-3 to lead the Knights. St. Edwards had a spread effort from their lineup, but it was Dan Tome and Karlo Hepp picking up a pair of hits each, contributing crucially to the scoreboard.

In a game clean on errors but high on drama, St. Edwards managed to keep their composure and execute when it counted, leaving Hoban to reflect on a heartbreaker. The battle was intense, the swings big, and the drama typical of a showdown that could have gone either way right up until that final double flew into the outfield.

HOBAN STRIKES BIG ONE OVER WALSH

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AKRON, OH- Archbishop Hoban clinched a solid 7-3 win over Walsh Jesuit on Thursday, with the bottom of their lineup delivering big time. Breyan Stewart, Leo Wilson, and Justice Buckner were the stars, racking up four of the team’s eight hits, driving in four runs, and crossing the plate themselves four times.

The action started in the second inning when Andrew Karhoff launched a homer to center, followed by Buckner’s double and Wilson’s single, each knocking in a run. The momentum continued into the sixth, with Buckner blasting a solo homer to left and Michael Ciavolella chipping in with an RBI single, pushing the lead to 7-0.

Noah LaFine was stellar on the mound, holding Walsh Jesuit to just two hits and no runs over six innings while striking out seven. Sam Pece, on the other hand, struggled for Walsh Jesuit, surrendering four runs in just under four innings to take the loss. Will Givens also made a notable appearance for Hoban, pitching a hitless inning in relief.

Karhoff and Buckner were particularly effective with the bat, both bagging two hits and combining for four RBIs. Givens and the team also showed patience at the plate, working their way to six walks, with Ciavolella snagging a couple of stolen bases as part of Hoban’s four steals on the day.

For Walsh Jesuit, Ryan Clark and Matthew Mansbery each notched an RBI, with Mansbery leading with two hits. The team matched Hoban’s discipline, drawing six walks themselves, with Pece and Connor Romanini taking two walks each.

Looking ahead, Hoban is set to face off against Solon on Saturday.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE

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AUSTINTOWN, OH- Did you ever find it very interesting how nobody ever figured out that Clark Kent was just a cover for Superman?  The fact that the only difference between the two was one was a mild-mannered reporter who had glasses on, the other was a superhero that saved the day fighting for truth, justice, and the American Way?

The joke is on us, because we’ve had the same style riddle provided the entire time in Austintown, in the form of Fitch senior, Joe Roth.

His fastball is comparable to a speeding bullet, his bat is more powerful than a locomotive, and he’s been able to leap all adversity he’s faced along the way in a single bound.  Simply put- Joe Roth is a sports Superman.

Roth had been aware of his “superpower” in baseball for some time.  As part of the Youngstown Pony League All-Star Team, Roth planted himself on the map as an outstanding backstop and utility player that coaches could put in any position and be successful.  That same skill and determination have spilled over into other sports such as basketball but certainly have trickled into his everyday routine.  Joe is known for his sparkling personality, and ability to make friends at the drop of a hat.  He’s done so locally, and on the national stage as a member of the World Champion Youngstown All-Stars in Laredo, Texas.  Joe’s jersey was actually taken to be placed in the Hall of Fame as a memory of the series in 2021.

With his senior year in process, Roth is looking forward to his last moments as a Falcon, as he trades in his Fitch gear, for that of a Zip at the University of Akron, where he’ll join the “Rowdies” on the baseball team in the fall of 2022.

We had the opportunity to catch up with Joe on a snow day in Northeast Ohio to talk about his journey, and what’s left to do before turning the tassel to the other side.

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URSULINE WINS BATTLE OF THE IRISH IN STYLE

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STRUTHERS, OH- In another dramatic walk-off thriller, The Ursuline Irish have found yet one more reason to get excited about baseball at “The U.”

Akron St. Vincent St. Mary was in town to do battle against Coach Weymer and his troops in a game that went back and forth all night before Ursuline’s Joel Kreuzweiser ripped a double in the bottom of the seventh inning that scored Colin Balas and Vince Armeni to win the game 13-12.

Jeremy Kreuzweiser would pick up the victory on the bump in relief.  The Irish would also push out Dan Yoder, Brady Shannon, and Colin Balas with Joel Kreuzweizer starting the game and giving up three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one batter.  Leading the way offensively was Kreuzweiser with 2 RBI, and Dante Walker with three.  Andrew Sabella, John Schatzel, Armeni and Jeremy Kreuzweiser also drove in one runner apiece.

For Akron SVSM, Garrett Bischof started the game on the mound and gave up 4 runs on six hits, walking four and striking out one.  Knox would take the hard-luck loss giving up four runs on five hits.

 

AKRON ANSWERS THE BELL

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LISBON,OH- What was a rollercoaster of emotions for Lisbon’s Logan Bell quickly turned into a dream come true.

The Lisbon Ace signed on with Chris Sabo’s University of Akron Baseball team officially on Monday. Bell has solid career numbers as a Blue Devil with an 18-6 record, 1.67 ERA, and 180 strikeouts to his credit. Logan also has paced the offense with his offense with a career .387 batting average with 58 RBI including 3 HR.

Bell looks to take the hill at the next level with his blazing 90 MPH fastball, and his bucket of off-speed that keeps hitters guessing. He will also serve as a foundational piece of the reformed Akron Baseball team that last played in 2015.

Logan will also be studying numbers off the field as he plans on majoring in accounting.

From all of us at YSN, we wish Logan the best of luck at the next level as a Zip.

YOUNGSTOWN GUMBO

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In the south there’s a great dish that is a collection of ingredients when by themselves are average, but when stewed together over the course of hours or days, it becomes a great, hearty meal that is a fan favorite by everyone.

In Youngstown we have a player that has seasoning from his travels, a great arm, defensively solid, an outstanding bat, and is as smart as they come.  Youngstown Gumbo comes to us in form of Junior Catcher, Tanner Montgomery.

Youngstown State Baseball 2019 Photo Day – Dec. 7, 2018 (Photo by David Dermer)

Montgomery has been thrust into the starting role as an upperclassman to help lead the Penguins.  Last year he proved his worth when he did not commit an error in 18 chances in the field.  Montgomery also was 3-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored in five Horizon League games, and by the time conference action comes around in 2019, “Youngstown Gumbo” will be even more seasoned, and ready to serve it up to his opponents.

Youngstown State Baseball 2019 Photo Day – Dec. 7, 2018 (Photo by David Dermer)

YSN’s Steve Leslie sat down with the kid from Akron for this week’s YSU Baseball Player Profile: YOUNGSTOWN GUMBO.

GIRARD INDIANS FIND NEW TRIBE AT NEXT LEVEL

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The Girard Indians held their signings today for their student-athletes.  We wish them all the best in their future endeavors, and thank them for allowing us to share in their big day!  Good luck at the next level, Indians.  We’ll be cheering for you!

 

SIGNINGS INCLUDE:

Brennan Kuzman- LAKE ERIE COLLEGE SOCCER

Marco Donatelli- AKRON FOOTBALL /Terrance Davis- AKRON FOOTBALL / Daryl Smith- NOTRE DAME COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Jenna Bornemiss – PENN STATE SHENANGO VOLLEBALL