AUSTINTOWN OH- Fitch Senior boys soccer player, Evan Sahli, was awarded the Youngstown District Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Senior Scholarship. Sahli was one of six senior student-athletes in the area to be a recipient of the $350 scholarship.
Evan was named to the 1st team All-AAC this past fall and also played basketball this past winter for the Falcons and is member of the National Honor Society.
*Contributed By Russel Houser at austintownathletics.org
AUSTINTOWN OH- It was a big matchup in the softball realm on Thursday evening. With both schools featured in YSNs Top 10 Power Rankings.
Those teams, of course, being #1 Austintown-Fitch vs. #7 Poland.
The focus on this matchup happened in the circle. Poland started the junior leader in Katie McDonald, who went in with a 3-0 record and a 1.92 ERA.
On the flip side, The Falcons started “The Untouchable” Sydnie Watts. The freshman has been on a tear to open this season. She headed into the non-conference game with a 5-0 record, a 0.70 ERA and 72 strikeouts.
Both pitchers went through the order the first time with ease. As both teams struggled to scratch across a run in the first couple innings.
The scoreless tie went into the third until Ayla Ray manufactured the first run for Falcons, and then did it again in the fifth.
It was 2-0 Falcons lead in the bottom of the 5th inning, when Player of The Game, junior Caitlin Mitchell hit a 2 RBI single to double the lead 4-0.
That would be all The Fitch offense would need, as the rain ended things early in 5 innings with Austintown on top.
Sydnie Watts got the win in the circle, her sixth of the season. Fitch will also move to 6-0 ahead of their matchup on Friday, April 8th against Glen Oak.
Poland will refocus themselves with a game against The Hilltoppers of Chardon. Also due to take place on Friday.
Stats: Pitching
Fitch: Sydnie Watts- W (6-0), 0 ER, 8 K (80), 1 H, 3 BB.
Poland: Katie McDonald- L (3-1), 2 ER, 8 K (39), 5 H, 3 BB.
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
Postgame Interview With Steve Ward:
Postgame Interview With Caitlin Mitchell:
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DA2E49FE-FA9E-42FC-81C6-66977F083489-scaled.jpeg14142560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-04-08 02:00:502022-04-08 02:00:50FALCONS DODGE THE RAIN AND BEAT POLAND
AUSTINTOWN OH- Fitch softball is off to an incredible start to the 2022 season. Their entire roster has found ways to contribute and find themselves in headlines. Freshman Sydnie Watts has lived up to the hype she was getting in the preseason. She already has a no hitter to her credit. The Falcons are 5-0 and have matchups with Poland and Lakeside still on the season.
Steve Ward took the time to make another appearance on Running Point this week to talk about the start the team is off to. He chats with Ty Bartell, and Anthony Hartwig about some of the big contributors, his reaction to the hot start, and much more. Get an update on the Falcons in Episode 2 of Coach’s Corner.
Presented By:
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Austintown-Fitch-Softball-1.png12962304Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-04-06 04:53:112023-07-15 00:45:57AUSTINTOWN FITCH SOFTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH STEVE WARD
AUSTINTOWN OH- Freshman Sydnie Watts continued the dominant start to her high school career by throwing her a no-hitter in her fifth career start leading the Lady Falcon softball team to a 25-0 victory over Warren G. Harding.Teaming with junior catcher McKenna Hogan, Watts struck out 12 Radiers while allowing just one walk to pick up the win in the circle for the Falcons.
The offense had a 10-run outburst in the 1st inning and never looked back. Senior Maddy Taylor led the way with 5 RBIs smacking 2 singles, 2 doubles and a home run on the night. Watts backed up her pitching effort with 3 RBIs, a single, 2 doubles and a home run. It was Watts fourth home run in four games. Hogan recorded three hits on the evening which included a single, a double and a solo home run. Sophomore Bella Tofil singled 3 times and drove in 2 runs while junior Caitlin Mitchell had 2 doubles, a single and 2 RBIs.
The Lady Falcons return home on Thursday, April 7 to take on Poland at 5:00 PM.
*Contributed By Russel Houser at austintownathletics.com
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/B1DB780E-78D0-4DC8-B66B-2F3DEB7783F0.jpeg10131779Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-04-06 01:30:082022-04-06 01:30:08WATTS SHINES IN NO HITTER
Austintown OH- Senior Jake Corll picked up the win on the mound for the Falcons, throwing 3 and 1/3 innings, giving up just 1 hit with 5 K’s. Sophomore Stephen Palmer finished the game on the mound, allowing 0 earned runs with 3 K’s. Brandon Popio led the way for Fitch at the plate, going 2 for 2 on the day with 3 RBI’s. Carson Fuller, Mike Sciortino, Donavan Bell-Sullivan, and Christian Latone chipped in a hit apiece as well. Fitch improves to 3-0, picking up their first win in AAC action on the season.
The Falcons will look to play The Raiders for the second time in as many days, as they travel to Warren on Tuesday, April 5th. Fitch will return home to square off with The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals on Wednesday, April 6th.
Both games are scheduled for a 5 p.m. first pitch!
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/C6A2A51F-8827-49E5-9EC6-E8B4B8732CD6.jpeg4991003Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-04-05 18:32:162022-04-05 18:32:16FITCH LAYS SIEGE TO RAIDERS
AUSTINTOWN OH- In yet another early season matchup inside The All-American Conference (AAC), That Austintown Fitch Falcons Softball team squared off with rival Warren Harding Raiders.
Fitch, coming off a sweep of Canfield and a shutout of Chardon had them carrying all that momentum going into Monday’s contest.
Highlighted by a 5 spot in the bottom of the 1st, followed by a 12 run bottom of the 2nd, had The Falcons leading by an impressive 17-0 score. The first two innings of offense ended up being all that Fitch needed, as they secured their third conference win of the young season.
Ayla Ray kept her hot start to the season going, grabbing a couple more doubles on the season, as a part of her 3 hit performance. Finishing the day with the team leading batting average of .786! However, Ayla was not the only one with a 3 hit day.Bella Tofil also tallied a double on the day in her 3 total hits in Monday’s matchup.
The Player of The Game was “The Untouchable” Sydnie Watts for the second time this season. By striking out the side in each of her 4 innings worked in the circle. Pair that with another long ball, her third in as many games, and it was no question about the impact she had.
Fitch (4-0) will now look to repeat their success against Warren Harding (1-2) in the second game of the series. Due to be played on Tuesday, April 5th with a 5 p.m. first pitch.
Stats:
Ayla Ray- 3/4, 2 2B (4), 3 R (10).
Bella Tofil- 3/3, 2B (1), 2 R (2), RBI (1).
Sammi Aey- 1/2, 3B (2), 2 R (6), 2 RBI (6).
(Player of The Game) Sydnie Watts- Pitching: W (4), 4 IP (25), 1 H, 0 ER, 12 K (59).
Batting: 2/3, 2B (1), HR (3), R (3), 3 RBI (6).
* Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
Postgame Interview With Sydnie Watts:
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2C1727C7-7D10-45CC-A664-C74821C25FE7.jpeg7901416Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-04-05 18:22:402022-04-05 18:22:40FALCONS STILL PERCHED ATOP AAC
Fitch Completes 2nd Shutout of The Season. The Austintown Fitch Falcons Softball Team has had a lot of excitement swirling around in the off-season. With a good mix of seasoned upperclassmen and hungry underclassmen, it has created a perfect storm for The Falcons. One thing is for sure, Fitch Softball has some high expectations and goals with what they believe they can accomplish this season.
It all starts with Fitch’s schedule, which after a 2 game sweep of their rivals Canfield, The Falcons would welcome in their first non-conference opponent in The Chardon Hilltoppers. Sydnie Watts continued her string of dominance in the circle, totaling 47 strikeouts in her first 3 starts.
Sydnie Watts vs. Chardon 3/31: W (3), 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 17 K.
Player of the Game was one of those hungry underclassmen in Sam Severn! Sam, like many of the young girls, play with a chip on her shoulder. Eager to prove to everyone around the league that she belongs and is here to stay! Setting the table at various times for Fitch to break open the scoring against The Hilltoppers. Stepping up in a big way for her team!
Sam Severn vs. Chardon 3/31: 3 AB, 2 H, 2 R.
The top of the order contributed a lot for The Falcons as well, with both Ayla Ray and Sammi Aey providing some key RBIs for Fitch.
Ayla Ray vs. Chardon 3/31: 4 AB, 2 H, 1 2B (2), 2 RBI.
Sammi Aey vs Chardon 3/31: 2 H, 1 2B (1), RBI.
Fitch (3-0) will look to get back to conference play, with a matchup on Monday, April 4th against The Warren G. Harding Raiders (1-1) set to be played at Austintown.
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
Postgame Interview With Sam Severn:
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4C1817F7-B3A6-4983-9CF4-90CCB8AFE8B5.jpeg531957Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-04-01 04:06:122022-04-01 04:06:12FITCH WINS THIRD STRAIGHT
AUSTINTOWN OH- A fun out of conference rivalry took place on Thursday night, when The Austintown Fitch Falcons welcomed in The Poland Bulldogs on the baseball diamond. Michael Dillulo (Poland) and Joe Roth (Fitch) started on the mound for each respective team. Fitch loaded the bases up in each of the first 2 innings; however, Dillulo did a good job of pitching out of trouble. Allowing just 1 run and stranding 6 baserunners, Dillulo walked a tightrope to start against The Falcons.
Roth had it going for Fitch, striking out 5 of the first 6 batters faced, and retired the first 9 in order. The bottom of the 3rd turned out to be the biggest inning against The Bulldogs for Fitch. With Donova Bell Sullivan slugging a 2 run triple to right-center, giving The Falcons a 3-0 lead. After getting out of the first 3 innings, Dillulo’s pitch count became a factor, which brought Matt Paparodis to finish the game out.
Despite a lead-off home run by Joe Roth and a line drive single by Mikey Sciortino, Paparodis settled in and pitched 3 innings, giving up just the 1 run.
Player of the Game was Fitch’s Joe Roth, who provided all the pitching and offense that a coach could ask for. Pitching the shutout allowed Fitch to come away with the 7-0 victory over Poland, starting their season off 2-0.
Joe Roth (Pitching) vs. Poland 3/31: W(2), 7 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 15 K
Joe Roth (Batting) vs. Poland 3/31: 3 AB, 2 H, 1 HR(1), RBI, BB.
Donovan Bell Sullivan vs. Poland 3/31: 3 AB, 1 H, 1 3B(1), 2 RBI.
The double-barrel of sophomore pitchers did a solid job for Poland on Thursday night, with Paparodis highlighting 3 innings of relief.
Matt Paparodis vs. Fitch 3/31: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K.
Poland (1-1) will now look to go back to the team they beat on Wednesday in The Hubbard Eagles (0-1). This time around, Poland will be on the road at Hubbard on Saturday, April 2nd.
Austintown (2-0) will be having an all conference Monday of matchups, with both the baseball and softball team slated to face Harding (0-2) on April 4th.
*Contributed By Ty Bartell
Postgame Interview With Joe Roth:
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9EF1CF81-3BD1-48E2-8E8F-22B4951486D8.jpeg7681453Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-04-01 03:52:032022-04-01 03:52:03ROTH STRIKES OUT 15 IN SHUTOUT OF POLAND
The opening day of baseball has finally arrived for The Austintown Fitch Falcons. After multiple weather cancellations and postponements, Fitch finally got clearance to play on Wednesday night. Their opponent? The Chagrin Falls TIgers, looking to make an early season road statement to start the season. This season sees The Falcons bring back six seniors, with a good mix of underclassmen to round things out.
The pitching matchup was between Jake Corll of Fitch and Leo Fornara of Chagrin Falls. Both of which were trusted to take the opening day rock. Fitch grabbed an unearned run off Fornara in the bottom of the 1st, off an RBI single by Brandon Popio to plate Joe Roth. Then the stalemate began.
With both pitchers trading scoreless frames until the top of the 6th, where Jake Corll gave up an unearned run, when Andrew Kirkpatrick slapped an RBI single up the middle, scoring Donny Hardy and evening the game up 1-1. The pitchers duel continued, with Fornara going 6 solid innings and Corll going the full 7 before extras.
Pitching-
Leo Fornara vs. Fitch 3/30: 6 IP, 10 K, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 R, 0 ER.
Jake Corll vs. Chagrin F. 3/30: 7 IP, 9 K, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 R, 0 ER.
Joe Roth pitched an inning of relief in the top of the 8th, which ended up earning him win number one on the season, with Brandon Popio getting hit with the bags full to bring home the winning run 2-1.
Jake Corll wins Player of The Game honors with his opening day gem to help push his team to 1-0 on the season.
Fitch (1-0) will have little time to enjoy this victory, as they welcome The Poland Bulldogs (1-0) to town on Thursday, March 31st. First pitch at 5 p.m. and live on YSN!
AUSTINTOWN OH- The Austintown Fitch Lady Falcons Softball Team had a contest with conference rival Canfield, for the second time in as many days. Due to adverse weather, The Lady Cardinals traveled to Austintown again, this time acting as the home team. Fitch utilized the same pitching from Tuesday with freshman Sydnie Watts commanding the circle and junior Bella Kennedy getting the opportunity in game two for The Lady Cardinals.
The first 4 innings of this contest were a pitchers duel and a dog fight. With offensive runs at a premium, both teams only scored once a piece, making it a 1-1 tie heading into the 5th. However, in the latter stages of Wednesday night’s contest, The Falcons power bats woke up! Scoring 3 runs in the 5th inning and a 6 spot in the top of the 6th. Highlighted by four bombs in the 6th by McKenna Hogan (1), Maddy Taylor (1), Sophia Senediak (1) and Sydnie Watts (1).
Canfield grabbed 2 more runs in the bottom of the 7th to plate 3 total runs against Sydnie Watts on the day. Including a home run by senior Madison Angelo (1).
Sydnie Watts completed the game in the 10-3 victory for Fitch over Canfield. Striking out 30 batters in 14 innings of work over the course of two days.
Sydnie Watts vs. Canfield 3/30: W (2), 7 IP, 11 K, 3 ER.
The Player of The Game was none other than Ayla Ray! For her performance in not only Wednesday’s game, but the entire series against The Cardinals.
Ayla Ray vs. Canfield: 8 AB, 6 H, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 BB, BA 1.000, OBP% 1.000. (2 Games)
Canfield falls to 0-2 on the season, as they look to refocus, with their next game at Poland on Thursday, March 31st.
Also on Thursday, The Falcons will be in action as the host Chardon. Slated for a 5 p.m. first pitch.
Postgame Interview With Ayla Ray:
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/37EAC4C2-EB6A-4304-AF45-114095EFE14A.jpeg6361187Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-03-31 04:44:232022-03-31 04:44:23FITCH POWERS THEIR WAY TO SERIES SWEEP OF CANFIELD
