Tag Archive for: Boardman

FITCH STAYS AHEAD IN AAC

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By Ty Bartell

AUSTINTOWN OH- Since the first pitch of the high school softball season was tossed in the Austintown community, The Falcons have been on some kind of roll! Out-scoring their opponents 39 runs to 1 while compiling a 5-0 start to the season! During the hot start, The pitching of Sydnie Watts has, once again, been truly sensational! However, the defense being supplied behind her, along with the entire batting order being productive, has made The Falcons a team to be feared!

Starting week two of the campaign, Fitch welcomed All-American Conference (AAC) representative and longtime rival, The Boardman Spartans into town! The Spartans, coming off of last year, were a team of two halves. Perhaps not the regular season Boardman would have wanted a year ago, but the tournament run that went on with an incredible group of seniors was truly incredible! Headlined by Coach Fred Mootz The Spartans are looking to sharpen their teeth once again before the start of the tournament, while featuring a few new faces. 

The circle featured “The Flamethrower” Sydnie Watts and Boardman tossed another strikeout machine in Gabi Sferra, who was averaging two strikeouts an inning heading into Monday! What was shaping up to be a clean first inning for both arms got thwarted in the bottom half of the first. Sydnie Watts lined a two-out double to right, then McKenna Hogan delivered with another clutch knock, plating the first run of the game, allowing Fitch to strike first 1-0. The two right handers would keep the offense scoreless in the second, before Fitch added to the advantage in the third. An error in the top half of the inning allowed Ayla Ray to get to second before Caitling Mitchell brought her home with an RBI-single! Advancing to second on the throw and later moving to third, before McKenna Hogan used a productive out on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead 3-0. 

The Falcons kept their foot on the gas and found some power moving forward in the following inning. Fitch freshmen Abby Toth blasted her second home run of the season, a two-run shot to right-center that made it 5-0 before the lineup turned over and Ayla Ray crushed her second long ball of the season! Natalie Davis took over for Boardman in the fifth inning, after an injury-plagued year, no sweeter sight than seeing her back in the circle and doing what she loves! Davis would work a scoreless fifth and would return for the sixth. The Lone run given up by Davis in her two innings of work came on the second home run of the day and third of the season by Abby Toth! A solo shot in the sixth that made the lead 7-0 and Fitch never looked back! 

Fitch (5-0) and Boardman (2-2) will wait little time before meeting once again on the softball diamond! As game two of this AAC classic is set to take place in Boardman on Tuesday, April 4th with a 5 p.m. first pitch! Interviews with Fitch Head Coach Steve Ward and Players of The Game Sydnie Watts and Abby Toth can be found below!

SPARTANS SLAM DOWN URSULINE

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By Michael  Wolfgang

 

CANFIELD, OHIO – The Boardman Spartans set the tone early at all phases of the game against Ursuline on Sunday, shutting out the Irish 8-0. Boardman came out swinging in the first inning, hanging up a three spot, then tacked on two more runs in the top of the third inning and three more in the top of the fourth inning.

Maddie Dravecky led Boardman with two hits in her four plate appearances. In the field, Tori Strines and Natalie Davis stepped to the pitching circle and combined for a shutout, only giving up 3 Ursuline hits, and the defense behind them was squeaky clean as they did not commit a single error.

Boardman will play their first conference game of the season Monday night as they visit the undefeated Austintown Fitch Falcons. First pitch for this showdown is slated for 5:00 p.m. Ursuline will be back in action on Monday as they travel to St Joseph Academy for a 5:00 first pitch.  

SPARTANS COME OUT VICTORIOUS

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BOARDMAN OH- Boardman opened up their home slate by beating Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Varsity Lions 6-1 on Thursday.

Gabi Sferra toed the rubber for the Spartans. She lasted seven innings, allowing five hits and one run while striking out an impressive 14 batters.

Alex Mould was on the rubber for Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. She allowed 12 hits and six runs over six innings, striking out nine and walking one.

Boardman racked up 13 hits in the game. Natalie Davis, Ava Freeborough, Cami Goske, and Tori Strines each managed multiple hits. Davis led with four hits in four at bats. Boardman was also sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Maddie Wymer had the most chances in the field with 16.

Boardman is scheduled to go back on the road Friday night as they travel to Green. First pitch is slated for 5:00.

*Powered By Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved. 

CLIPPERS INCH BY BOARDMAN

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By Michael Wolfgang 

COLUMBIANA, OHIO – Columbiana softball got a close 4-3 win on Tuesday to take down Boardman in a marquee matchup between two solid teams.

After scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning, Boardman tried to take the lead but Columbiana had all the answers. The six hits for the Clippers were produced by six different players, but the runs were all driven in by Mackenzi Gamble, Cameron Perkins, and Ava Davanzo who each had one run batted in.

Caitlynn Pleska toed the rubber for Columbiana, going four innings allowing two runs on four hits and striking out six batters.  Maddie Wymer and Alex Ward each collected two hits in the game for Boardman.

Columbiana will head to Western Reserve Wednesday for a non-conference match-up with the Blue Devils at 5:00 p.m.

SPARTANS SUPPLY PLENTY OF POWER

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COLUMBIANA, OHIO- The Boardman Spartans grabbed an early lead on its way to a 14-2 victory over the Heartland Christian Lions Varsity on Tuesday.

The Spartans got things started early when they scored on an error and a sacrifice fly by Luke Leonard in the first inning. Boardman secured the victory thanks to ten runs in the second inning. The offensive onslaught came from singles by Ben Herrmann, Grayson Eicher, and Caleb Satterfield, a walk by Gavin Hyde, a groundout by Leonard, an error on a ball put in play by Herrmann, and a double by Dylan Barrett.

Hyde pitched the Spartans to victory as he lasted three innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out six. Kevin Pekkanen and Dom Lombardo entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.

Drew Walker took the loss for Heartland Christian Lions. The southpaw allowed seven hits and 11 runs over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one.

 

*Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved.



MOONEY OPENS THE SEASON STRONG

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- Mooney girls lacrosse started the season off 1-0 Monday night after a 13-4 win over Boardman.

Ella Szalay led with 7 goals, 1 assist, 6 draw controls, and 7 ground balls. Addison Stacy had 2 goals, 1 assist, and 5 draw controls. Natalie Blasko, Sarah Schaller, Angelee Blasko, and Sophia Graziano all added a goal as well. Alyssa Ray had 7 saves in goal.

Mooney will get back to work on Tuesday as they Akron St. Vincent St. Mary. The start time for that match is 6:00

 

*Contributed By Toni Chahine

BOARDMAN SOFTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH FRED MOOTZ

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BOARDMAN OH- The calendar keeps on turning as we get closer and closer to the spring sports season.  Last season Boardman softball was one timely hit away from locking in a district championship. Eight seniors had to say goodbye to the program, and now you’ll see a lot of new faces take the field on Glenwood Avenue.  However, the Spartans are returning their best arm from a season ago in Tori Strines, her battery mate Maddie Wymer, and they are getting Natalie Davis back from injury.  Don’t sleep on the Spartans this year in the AAC.

Head coach Fred Mootz returns for another season at the helm of the softball program. He took the chance to sit and talk with Anthony Hartwig to preview the season ahead. They talk about the roster, the tough league they play in, and so much more. Check out Episode 1 of Coach’s Corner with Fred Mootz only on YSN.

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RICCITELLI RAMBLES THE SPARTANS TO THE NEXT ROUND

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A Riccitelli Rampage Vaults Boardman To Round 2

 

The middle of February has quickly approached and you know what that means? High school playoff basketball! Division 1 got a head start on the playoffs for the girls side of basketball and a premier matchup on the network  to kick-off the postseason festivities! That matchup was, of course, none other than Austintown-Fitch taking on The Boardman Spartans. These two fellow All American Conference (AAC) foes were quite familiar with one another and actually both tasted victory against their rival in the regular season. Boardman took the first matchup in Austintown on December 21st, 2022 in a 47-38 win. However, Fitch got their revenge on The Spartans at Boardman with a 58-51 victory of their own against their rival. With both teams holding a win against each other, round three had big stipulations in that it is “win or go home” time in basketball! 

Defense took precedence from the opening tip, as both squads were full of energy and looking to rely on a high motor of defensive effort and intensity. In a struggle to find field goals through the first eight minutes, The Spartan senior Gia Triveri was the offensive answer both squads were looking for. An opening quarter three pointer that helped start curbing momentum in favor of Boardman early, Triveri was looking to be effective early on since getting back to 100% on the court! Paired with some stifling defense from The Spartans, aiding Boardman in holding a 9-3 lead after the first quarter. Following the first, Triveri was still feeling it, as she battled through Falcon pressure a few times to draw some early fouls on Fitch! Going to the line four times and converting three shots, while also chipping in a made field goal in the second that helped The Spartans stretch their lead to double digits, 20-9 at halftime and Triveri having 9 points in the first half as well! Equaling The Falcon offense through the first 16 minutes.

The Saturday afternoon matchup returned from the halftime buzzer and Fitch needed to find offense in hopes to get on the comeback trail. Jocelyn Jourdan and Kylie Folkwein attempted to will The Falcons back into the ball game as they went to the line after drawing fouls off second chance looks created by offensive boards. Both players scored 5 points a piece in the third quarter and totaled six of seven made free throws in the quarter combined. But it was none other than Mackenzie Riccitelli that trend up the intensity in the third and once again found her groove against Fitch! A typical 20+ point scorer against Austintown in her career, she has been nothing short of a thorn in the side of The Falcons. Although, through the first half, Fitch held her to six points, The Riccitelli Rampage started in the third. The junior scored half of The Spartans 16 third quarter points to, not only, keep Boardman in front but allowed them to build on their lead once again 36-21! 

Both teams were able to draw six team fouls a piece from each other in the third quarter, leaving both of them one foul away from the bonus and setting up a free-throw fiesta in the fourth! A load of players were in foul trouble through the first three quarters of play, forcing the teams to get creative with how they were going to play defense. Spartans Sarah Bero was a disrupter on the glass and with the defense, as she gave Boardman more than one additional possession on the day. The difference in the final quarter? Boardman clamped down on defense without fouling, while going to the line for ten shots at the stripe and converting seven of them. Riccitelli went five of six at the stripe in the final quarter scoring 7 points total in the quarter and finishing with 21! The free throws made all the difference and The Spartans did not relinquish the lead once they captured it, winning over their AAC rival 47-34 on Saturday and sending The Spartans to the next round! 

 

Congratulations and good luck are in order for The Austintown Fitch seniors as their high school basketball journey comes to an end, but not without leaving loads of memories from the last four years. As us here at The Network wish nothing but the best for The Falcon seniors as they embark on their next journey. To Zayda Creque, Kara Pirone, Jocelyn Jourdan, Jordan Binion and Amya Barnette we thank you for the opportunity to cover your careers and be such a small part of your high school journey! 

The win for #16 Boardman (15-8) will not only get them bragging rights over their rival, it will now send The Spartans on the road for a Sectional Final against #11 Shaker Heights Red Raiders (15-6) on Thursday, February 16th slated for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off! Interviews with winning Head Coach Jeff Hammerton and Player of The Game Mackenzie Riccitelli can be found below! 

 

Scoring (Boardman)

Mackenzie Riccitelli: 21 PTS (Player of The Game)

Gia Triveri: 12 PTS.

Sarah Bero: 7 PTS.

Bella Martin: 3 PTS.

Cami Goske: 2 PTS.

Ava Freeborough: 2 PTS.

 

Scoring (Fitch)

Jocelyn Jourdan: 12 PTS.

Zayda Creque: 7 PTS.

Kylie Folkwein: 7 PTS.

Destanie McCullough: 5 PTS.

Jordan Binion: 2 PTS.

Rachel Spalding: 1 PT.

 

Scoring by Quarter

Q1: Boardman 9 – 3 Fitch

Q2: Boardman 11 – 6 Fitch

Q3: Boardman 16 – 12 Fitch

Q4: Boardman 12 – 13 Fitch

Final: Boardman 47 – 34 Fitch

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell

SPARTANS BRING THE FIGHT TO LIBERTY

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YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO- The Boardman Lady Spartans went into Liberty to take on the Lady Leopards, in what seems to be the final home game for Leopards Head Coach, Deidre Watson.

The Lady Leopards were led by Aaliyah Foster, who dropped 21 points. Demi Watson also helped the Leopards cause by scoring 16 points that kept the Leopards close, but Gia Triveri made that difficult as she finished the game with 20 points, including 6 three pointers and pushed the Lady Spartan passed the Lady Leopards 57-48.

Both teams will now get prepared for tournament play that starts Saturday when Boardman will take on the Austintown-Fitch Lady Falcons and Liberty will take on a tough Pymatuning Valley Lady Lakers team next Wednesday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison

 

SPARTANS CLAMP DOWN DEFENSIVELY TO BEAT VIKINGS

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BOARDMAN, OH- The Boardman Spartans hosted a division 1 opponent on Monday night in the North Canton Hoover Vikings. The Spartans had one of the best defensive games of the year to pick up an 18 point victory.

Boardman came out strong after losing three consecutive games. The Spartans held the Vikings to just 7 first quarter points while scoring 13. Boardman extended the lead to double digits at the half after Reagan Smith knocked down two three-pointers in the second quarter. Boardman went into the locker-room leading 25-15.

The Hoover Vikings had an early push in the third quarter, cutting the lead down to 4 points midway through the third. Head Coach Jeff Hammerton called a timeout, and the Spartans came out fired up scoring 8 consecutive points to lead by 12 late in the third quarter. Hoover made one more late push to cut the deficit to 7 points, trailing 36-29 at the end of the third. Boardman amped up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter and held the Vikings scoreless in the final quarter. The Spartans picked up a huge victory over North Canton Hoover, winning by a final of 47-29. The 29 points was the least amount of points that Hoover has scored all season long.

Junior point guard Mackenzie Riccitelli led the team scoring 12 points, with senior Gia Triveri right behind with 9 points. The Spartans improve to 11-8 on the season, and will host Harding on Saturday. Coach Hammerton sat down with our YSN crew after the game, here is what he had to say: