Tag Archive for: Cardinals

STRONG FAITH CAN GO A LONG WAY

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CANFIELD OH- The Canfield Cardinals are heading to the state championship game. They got to this point in one of the most dramatic ways you could think of in your wildest dreams. A team that has been all about their faith all season long needed every bit of it Thursday night trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh against Steubenville.  The Cardinals weren’t just looking for their first run of the game, but also their first hit in the game.  After senior Gianna Pannunzio broke up the no hitter, and eventually came around to score it came down to junior Faith Morell with the game winning run 60 feet away.  Faith got the bunt signal from Mike Kernan, and called a timeout to make sure she got it right. Faith hadn’t been asked to bunt all season, but this was her time. Without missing a beat Faith put one perfectly down the first base line scoring Freedy, and winning the game for Canfield! A moment that Morell will never forget.

YSN had to get in touch with newest hero in the Canfield lore.  Faith like a couple other other of her teammates stepped into her first year on the varsity level with a sense of confidence she could get the job done.  That’s exactly what she has done so far as Faith has earned her way to the four spot in the lineup always staring at RBI opportunities.

Faith comes through more than not in those moments too. Morell is currently hitting .447 on the year.  She has an impressive OPS of 1.003.  Faith has gathered 4 doubles on the year and 13 RBI. No RBI bigger than the walk off suicide squeeze to put Canfield in the state championship.

Faith took the time to jump on a video call with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig one day before the big game in Firestone Stadium.  They go over that game winning moment in the state semifinals, how Faith keeps a strong mentality, and so much more. Check out the latest Canfield softball Player Profile only on YSN!

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YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH! CARDS ONE WIN AWAY FROM A STATE TITLE

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AKRON OH- Both teams were strong in the circle Thursday, but Canfield Cardinals Varsity defeated Steubenvilw 2-1. Malena Toth allowed just one hit on the day in what turned out to be a classic pitcher’s duel.

Toth led things off in the pitcher’s circle for Canfield. The righty lasted seven innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out 11.

Julianna King was in the pitcher’s circle for the Big Red.  She went six and a third innings, allowing two runs on two hits, striking out ten and walking zero.

Hailey Freedy and Gianna Pannunzio each managed one hit to lead Canfield. Both of their hits came in the seventh inning, and both came around to score on wild pitch, and a Faith Morell suicide squeeze

Paige Mattesom went 1-for-3 at the plate to lead the Big Red in hits.  They were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error.

SPENCER IS ALWAYS READY TO GO

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CANFIELD OH- Here we go! Canfield softball is where all the excitement has been this spring. The Cardinals have been on fire all season long. A lot of the goals that they set back in November are becoming a reality.  They’ve won a conference championship, they’ve won a district champion, they’ve won a regional championship, and now they’re two wins away from a state championship. There is no doubt that the Cardinals have some of the strongest leadership that we see in the area. Headlines by eight seniors that all bring something new to the table, the Cardinals have so many different ways to win games. Cara Spencer is one of those senior leaders that has spent four seasons giving everything she has to this high school program. However, that love for the sport didn’t start her freshman year. She has been at the ball fields since an early age playing with the same people she is playing with now. She has brought so much unity to the dugout that the Cardinals never doubt each others abilities on the field.  The glue that can hold a team together is exactly what Spencer is built to be.

Spencer brings plenty to the field too.  She is currently hitting .321 at the plate.  While she has plenty of starts this season, she has also shown off her ability to come off the bench in big situations whether it be to pinch run, or pinch hit.  She never flinches when her number is called.

Cara was kind enough to talk to YSN’s Anthony Hartwig about her senior season. She talks about how much this season has meant to her, what the future might hold, and so much more. Check out the latest Canfield Softball Player Profile only on YSN!

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SO FLY LIKE A G6

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CANFIELD OH- What an incredible run that Canfield softball is in the middle of.  They have won the AAC, they won a district, they have won a regional, and now they’re two wins away from winning a state championship. Leadership is one of the biggest reasons why the Cardinals have reached so many goals.  Canfield has eight seniors on their squad, and they all bring their own sense of leadership to the roster.  A unit of seniors that has played together since the starts of softball.  That makes the chemistry of the dugout strong. One of the big senior leaders is 3rd baseman Gianna Pannunzio.  In a lineup that features so much speed, Gianna leads what you might call a legion of zoom.  With wheels that put pressure on any defense, Pannunzio poses a real threat to opponents.  However if you think speed is the only thing Pannunzio brings to the table you’d be sorely mistaken.  Gianna is the heart of the dugout. The confidence and swagger she brings to her game helps other players who are new to the stage carry the same energy and confidence.  One of the best leaders Canfield has to offer has to offer is rolling into Firestone Stadium like a G6.

Gianna has put up great numbers so far this season.  She is currently hitting an impressive .456.  Her on base percentage is even higher sitting at .587.  She has hit 7 doubles and knocked in 14 RBI.  Once she gets on the bases, she tends to come all the way around. She has crossed the plate 27 times this year.  She has drawn 13 walks and only struck out 4 times.  She leads the team in stolen bases with 13.

Gianna took the time to chat with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to talk about her fantastic senior season.  She also discusses her confidence at the plate, the goals her team has been able to accomplish, and so much more. Check out the latest Canfield Softball Player Profile only on YSN.

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A BATTERY THAT LASTS FOREVER

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CANFIELD OH- Even the best pitchers on the planet need a catcher that they can trust. For as great of a season that Canfield junior Malena Toth has had. She is well aware of how big of a role her freshman catcher Leah Figueroa has had in her ability to dominate in the circle. Figueroa never showed an ounce of fear stepping right into a varsity catching position with one of the most dynamic pitchers in the area.  Because of that instant confidence it didn’t take long for her and Toth to build a strong bond.  Toth and Figueroa’s most important aspect to their relationship is the trust they share. Toth has full confidence in Leah behind the plate. Not just to block pitches, and throw runners out, but also to know her inside and out. Leah knows Toth so well that she knows exactly what pitches are working when, and what pitches might not be. That is critical in the strategy of the game. Figueroa is well on her way to be the type of catcher that could confidently call her own game.

Figueroa has been putting in the work at the plate this year as well. Leah is currently batting with an average of .326 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI.  Her 4 home runs leads the team, and her 15 RBI ranks her 3rd on the squad in production.  Figueroa has not made a single error this season behind the dish in 233 chances.

Figueroa and Toth both joined YSN’s DJ Yokley live at Cocca’s Pizza to talk about their relationship as battery mates.  They also discuss what has drawn them so close, the leadership their positions bring, and so much more. Check out the latest Canfield Softball Player Profile only on YSN!

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CANFIELD’S KOENIG CONNECTION

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CANFIELD OH- How many times does a roster get to say they feature a pair of siblings playing together for a common goal. It’s not as common as you’d think. Even more rare is the impact that we see both players make when looking at Canfield’s tandem of Marina and Kenzie Koenig.  Kenzie the senior, and Marina the sophomore have quickly made their presence felt in the Canfield program.  With just one season left playing together, the two sisters have treasured every moment they possibly could. With their similarities they also bring uniqueness to the group. Kenzie had leaned in to her vocal leadership position on the team. Like her fellow eight seniors she makes sure team chemistry stays tight knit.  While Kenzie takes care of team unity off the field, Marina leads on the field as the shortstop.  Even though she’s just a sophomore she confidently keeps her fellow infielders in position to make all the plays.  Canfield’s Koenig connection has carried them all the way to a state semifinal. The two sisters aren’t done making memories quite yet. They will fight like crazy to end the season holding up the biggest trophy.

Both Marina and Kenzie joined YSN CEO DJ Yokley to discuss their dynamic on and off the field. They also discuss how special this season has been, how much they’ve treasured sharing it with each other, and much more. Check out this exclusive Canfield Softball Player Profile only on YSN!

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CANFIELD SOFTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH MIKE KERNAN

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CANFIELD OH- The Cardinals have pushed their way to a state semifinal. A season after winning a district championship and being bumped out of the tournament in regionals the Cardinals have taken the next step and worked their way to Firestone Stadium in Akron.  The Cardinals are led by Mike Kernan who has returned to the area for his first year as the Canfield head coach. The culture he has set is one of the big reasons why the Cardinals have earned a trip to state.

Canfield plays in the state semifinal on Thursday at Akron Firestone Stadium against Steubenville.  The first pitch is slated for 3:00

Mike Kernan joined DJ Yokley live at Cocca’s Pizza to talk about this fantastic run the softball team is on.  Coach Kernan talks about what he wanted to instill in the roster, what have been the keys to success, and much more. Check out Episode 2 of Coach’s Corner with Mike Kernan.

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DOWN BY THE MARINA

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CANFIELD OH- Even on a team that has so much senior leadership like Canfield, there is still promising young talent that contributes heavily to their team’s success.  One of the big players of the Cardinals future is sophomore Marina Koenig.  Marina blasted her way on the scene last season as a freshman.  It was clear from the jump what kind of talent the Cardinals had. She was one of the key members on a team that won a district and got themselves inside a regional tournament.  That team fell short in regionals, but now this season with a ton of returning players including Marina the Cardinals have fought their way to a regional championship.  Even with the amount of senior leadership they have on the team, Marina has taken a little bit of leadership on her plate.  As a shortstop in the middle of the infield, there’s no way around of vocally commanding the infield and getting everyone set. As a shortstop Marina gets a majority of the high level defensive plays as well, and she very rarely makes an error.  Already getting her feet wet as a leader will make her a massive asset to the team next year when eight seniors, including her sister Kenzie graduates.

Koenig is currently hitting .303 with 6 doubles and 17 RBI.  She has only struck out 6 times all season, and thrives by putting the ball in play and using her speed to put pressure on the defense. The pressure doesn’t stop after she gets on base either.  Koenig has stolen 7 bases this season.  That ranks third on the team with a roster that features a total of 48 base thefts.

Koenig took the time to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to discuss her season. They discuss stepping into a bigger role this season. What all the success of the program has done for her confidence, and so much more. Check out the latest Canfield softball player profile exclusively on YSN!

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CARDINALS RIDING ON TO FIRESTONE

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MACEDONIA, OHIO- The Canfield Cardinals took the lead late and defeated the Marlington Dukes 2-1 on Friday to claim a Division II Regional Championship.

The game was tied at one with the Cardinals batting in the top of the fifth when Jenna Triveri doubled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run.

The Dukes fired up the offense in the first inning, when Emma Jackson hit a solo homer. In the top of the second inning.

The Cardinals answered quickly and tied things up at one as they scored one run when Sydney Lutz singled. Hailey Freedy, Triveri, Lutz, Malena Toth, and Gianna Pannunzio all had one hit to lead things at the plate for the Cardinals.

Toth also led things off in the circle for the Cardinals as the righthander allowed two hits and one run over seven innings, striking out ten and walking one.

Sofia Nase was on the rubber for the Dukes. The hurler went seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out five.

Canfield will now advance to the State Semifinal where they will take on the winner of Steubenville vs Unioto. The State Semifinal game is scheduled for June 1st at Firestone Stadium. First pitch will be scheduled for 3:00. 

 

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EARLY TROUBLE MAKES CANFIELD STUMBLE

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STRUTHERS, OHIO- The Canfield Cardinals watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 3-2 loss to the Mogadore Field Falcons on Wednesday in the Division II District Championship.

The pitching was strong on both sides as the Falcons pitchers struck out six, while the Cardinals sat down five.

The Falcons fired up the offense in the first inning when Caleb Gartner singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run.

Braxton Baumberger earned the victory on the mound for the Falcons. The hurler allowed five hits and two runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out five. Kayden Smith threw one-third of an inning in relief out of the bullpen. Michael Patellis, Logan Cayavec, Jack Davis, Tanner Stricko, and Ethan Prout each collected one hit to lead things things at the plate.

Patellis, Logan Cayavec, Jack Davis, Tanner Stricko, and Ethan Prout each collected one hit to lead Canfield.

Michael Patellis took the loss for the Cardinals as the pitcher went five innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out three.

 

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