Tag Archive for: batting average

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- Mineral Ridge softball standout Laney Rigley is helping write a new chapter in her school’s athletic history. Featured recently in a special YSN interview with Anthony Hartwig—coinciding with her 17th birthday—Rigley reflected on a milestone season that saw the Rams clinch their first league championship since 2004.

Rigley’s journey has not been without challenges. She’s battled through multiple knee surgeries, faced tough decisions about her playing career, and chosen to put her team first by competing through pain. “I played through it because I love playing for my team,” she said, crediting a “team over me” philosophy instilled by coaches Will and Joe. That unselfish mentality, fostered off-season and carried into every game, has been central to the team’s culture shift and on-field success.  Known for her relentless positivity and encouragement, Rigley is the emotional heart of Mineral Ridge softball. “It’s mainly positivity for me,” she told Hartwig, adding that she strives to be a role model, especially for the underclassmen.

She has also delivered at the plate, posting a high batting average and ranking among the team leaders in RBIs. Her transformation from nervous freshman to one of the conference’s best third basemen came with the support of her coaches and a focus on not letting mistakes define her. “You just have to, like, just be you out there and just do your own thing,” she said. Rigley draws inspiration from her family—especially her brother, who overcame a major sports injury—and describes her parents as her real-life heroes. With the postseason ahead, she and her teammates are keeping their sights high, hoping to turn their hard work into a run at districts and beyond. Through adversity, leadership, and a love of the game, Laney Rigley is proving to be the glue that holds Mineral Ridge softball together—demonstrating every day what it means to play for something bigger than yourself.

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NO SLEEP, JUST WINS IN BROOKLYN

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GIRARD, OH — Brooklyn Broll may only be a sophomore, but she’s quickly established herself as one of the key players on the Girard High School softball team. In a recent interview on the YSN podcast, Broll sat down with host Anthony Hartwig to discuss her journey so far, the team’s promising young roster, and what it takes to be both a leader and a standout performer at such a young age.

Since stepping up as a dominant pitcher in her freshman year, Broll has continued to grow, now sharing pitching duties with teammate Chloe Plant. “It’s been nice. Not all the pressure is on me,” Broll explained, praising Plant’s abilities and the relief that comes from sharing innings in the circle. Known for her composure, Broll shared her pre-pitching ritual: “I always take a minute and just relax myself and take a few deep breaths.” She named her changeup as her favorite pitch, noting its effectiveness when it’s on point. Working closely with pitching and hitting coach Bob Smith has also paid dividends. “He’s helped me so much with my mechanics and mentally, too,” she said.

Offensively, Broll’s bat is just as hot as her pitching. She’s currently leading the team with a .471 average and sits second in RBIs. She attributes her success at the plate to consistent work on mechanics and a stronger mental approach this season. Despite her youth, Broll has embraced a leadership role on the team. “Even though I’m only a sophomore, I hope people look up to me. I just want to be a leader and show a good example,” she said, describing herself as both determined and dedicated—qualities she credits to her family, especially her supportive parents and sister, as well as her faith.

Balancing academics and athletics hasn’t been a challenge for Broll, who says her favorite subject is history while biology has proven the most demanding. Teachers Dr. Duchy and Mr. Johnson have been particularly influential in her high school career, she noted. As Girard faces a tough schedule and weather-related interruptions, Broll and her teammates stay engaged by keeping spirits high, often filling rain delays with music and dance in the dugout. “We’re always having a good time keeping up the energy for the game,” she shared with a smile. With two seasons still ahead and a strong core of young players, both Broll and the Girard softball program look poised for a bright future.

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THE BEST OF BOCCIERI

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POLAND, OHIO — Junior catcher Leanna Boccieri of the Poland Bulldogs made waves this week by announcing her verbal commitment to Saint Bonaventure University, a Division I school in New York. The announcement, which came at the start of her spring break, is another milestone in an already stellar high school career. Boccieri’s decision was influenced by both family legacy—her father is a Saint Bonaventure alum who played baseball there—and the welcoming community she felt during campus visits. “When I went to go visit, it was just a great community to be around. Everyone’s so friendly… The campus is beautiful,” she shared.

The talented catcher cited the presence of former Poland players at Saint Bonaventure, like Abby and Brooke, as a confidence booster: “Seeing someone from Poland… just kind of made me think, ‘I can do this too.’” Leadership and resilience remain cornerstones of Boccieri’s approach. As a multi-sport athlete and a leader on and off the diamond, she emphasized the importance of positivity and building relationships, especially with her pitchers. “It just takes a lot of leadership and confidence… Just being the catcher takes a lot.” Boccieri has faced her share of challenges, including injuries and the mental hurdles of high-level sport. “Definitely the mental aspect of this game has to be the hardest. It’s so easy to get down on yourself,” she admitted, but noted her growth in staying positive and focused.

Despite her family’s accomplished athletic background, Boccieri is determined to forge her own path and legacy. “Having my last name is definitely a positive, but I think I can live up to it. I know what I’m capable of and what I can accomplish,” she said confidently. As she looks ahead to her senior season and future at Saint Bonaventure, Boccieri hopes to be remembered for her leadership and kindness: “Just being nice overall can definitely have an impact, and I just want to be remembered by that.” The Poland community, and those who’ve played against her, will no doubt be watching closely as she closes out her high school career and begins her journey at the next level.

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MCBETH TAKES HER PLACE WITH THE GREATS

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NORTH JACKSON OH- In the heart of North Jackson, the home of the Blue Jays, Brena McBeth has emerged as a pillar of excellence on and off the softball field. Just a junior, McBeth’s impressive batting average of .525 has been a driving force for the 6-1 Jackson Milton Blue Jays, prominently positioning them as contenders in the MVAC.

During a recent interview on the YSN Live podcast, McBeth, who plays both as a pitcher and a hitter, shared insights into her strategic approach, emphasizing her ability to predict pitches based on her pitching experience. “It helps me a lot… as a pitcher I can realize [what the opposing team might pitch],” McBeth explained. The Blue Jays’ journey last year, which saw them make a significant tournament run by upsetting rivals like McDonald, has fueled their confidence this season. McBeth highlighted the mental resilience her team has developed, noting, “It gave us a lot of confidence for this season… to know that we’re just going to be, if not like the same or better.”

With aspirations of enhancing her pitching skills specifically through mastering her curveball, McBeth is focused on both personal growth and leading her team to a conference title. She credits the supportive community and her family, including her twin sister Ivy, for fostering a nurturing environment that encourages both competition and camaraderie. Outside of softball, McBeth has her sights set on the future, aiming to study psychology at Kent State, with a heart set on helping others. Her motivation and dedication on the field seamlessly translate to her academic and career ambitions. With players like McBeth at its core, the future looks bright for Jackson Milton, as they continue to soar with high energy and strong leadership.

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TRENT KEEPS IT LIT

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH= In a recent episode of the YSN podcast, Cardinal Mooney’s star catcher Trent Litman shared insights into his baseball journey, offering an inspiring look at his dedication and growth. Known on YSN as “The Fireman” for his consistent offensive prowess, Litman detailed his progression from a backup for the junior varsity team to a key varsity player making significant impacts on the field.

During the podcast, co-host DJ Yokley and Anthony Hartwig delved into Litman’s development. Litman credited his mentors, including Ian Francis and Will Petty, for elevating his skills, particularly in catching—a role he only recently took on. This guidance has helped him maintain a confident mindset at bat and manage the pressures of a competitive schedule filled with formidable opponents like Hoban and St. Ed’s.

The discussion also highlighted Litman’s leadership, as he embraces his role in guiding a predominantly young team. With aspirations for college baseball, Litman has committed to Garrett College, choosing the junior college route to maximize his potential amidst the flux of transfer portals.

Baseball runs deep in the Litman family, and this passion fuels Trent’s pursuit of excellence. His ultimate goal is to progress to a major university and potentially a professional baseball career while establishing roots in business inspired by his father.

As he embarks on his senior year, Litman’s journey promises more memorable moments, whether through hitting home runs or outsmarting opponents as a catcher. Fans of Cardinal Mooney baseball can certainly expect thrilling performances from “The Fireman” this season.

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CALL OF DUTY; BELL WINS BOWLING GREEN’S MEDAL OF HONOR

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BOWLING GREEN, OH-  In a recent episode of YSN’s podcast, host DJ Yokley sat down with Logan Bell, the 2024 Medal of Honor recipient and Medal of Excellence winner from Bowling Green State University. Bell, a standout athlete from Lisbon David Anderson High School known for shattering records and later taking his talents to the baseball diamond, opened up about his journey, the essence of teamwork, and his aspirations for the future.

Bell’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field was recognized when he was awarded Bowling Green’s prestigious Medal of Honor. This accolade is not just a testament to his athletic prowess but also a nod to his leadership and community impact. Reflecting on the moment he found out about the award, Bell shared, “I’m very thankful to have been nominated and received the award, and I’m glad that I can represent BGSU in the way that it intends athletes to represent the school.”

Bell’s collegiate career was punctuated by significant challenges, including undergoing the harrowing experience of Tommy John surgery. “Relying on my parents and my faith to get me through those, that long summer and that long return to playing is kind of the biggest thing that has helped me,” stated Bell, emphasizing the support system that saw him through his trials.
He credits his never-give-up attitude to taking things one day at a time, focusing on each step of the recovery process rather than being overwhelmed by the road ahead.

Throughout the interview, Bell consistently highlighted the importance of being a good teammate, a philosophy he lives by. “It’s not about my accomplishments, it’s about the team’s accomplishments,” he profoundly iterated, reinforcing the message that individual recognition always takes a backseat to the collective success of his team.

Bell is no stranger to hardship. He discussed the numerous rejections he faced in high school, noting, “Pick out something that you see every day and write down your goals.” He added that resilience amid criticism is key – to see it as a means to enhance one’s capabilities instead of taking it personally.
As for his future, Bell is clear on his aspirations and pragmatic about the possible trajectories his baseball career could take. He spoke passionately about the prospect of winning a MAC championship and venturing into professional baseball. “Whether it takes me the next 20 years of my life or whether it takes me five years,” Bell mused, underlining his commitment to achieving what many only dream of.

Logan Bell’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and humility. Showcasing remarkable talent and a veteran’s poise, he serves as an embodiment of what it means to overcome adversity and emerge victorious. Bell exhibits the heart and hustle of a true champion, and according to DJ Yokley, he does it all while sporting a work-in-progress mustache.

In the world of collegiate athletics, where stars shine bright, Bell is undoubtedly one of the luminaries guiding the way for future generations.Bell’s story serves as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere — fight for your dreams, lean on your community, strive for excellence, and remember that the journey is every bit as significant as the destination.