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FITCH STAYS AHEAD IN AAC

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!

MOONEY FINDS STRUGGLES AGAINST IRISH

STRUTHERS, OHIO- Cardinal Mooney went to Cene Park on Monday to take on St. Vincent- St. Mary’s in a premiere matchup between two baseball powerhouses.  This night belonged to the Irish as they stormed their way to a 9-0 victory.

After there was no scoring at all through three innings, the Irish scored seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings combined and as well as two more runs in the seventh inning.

The winning pitcher of the game was Nate Lenz, who pitched five innings, allowing 1 hit, and had 5 strikeouts.

The losing pitcher was Bronson Ferencak, who went four and two-thirds, allowing 5 hits, 6 runs, and had 7 strikeouts.

The Cardinals will try and get back into the win column on Wednesday went they go back to scene Park to take on Ursuline in the Holy War.  

WARRIORS REMAIN UNDEFEATED

BROOKFIELD, OHIO- Brookfield is off to a fantastic start to  the season so far on the softball diamond.  On Monday night the Warriors cruised to a 11-0 win over Campbell Memorial to improves to 4-0 on the season.

Sophia Hook continued to swing a hot bat for the Warriors as she went  2 for 4 on the day.  Arianna Jones was perfect at the plate on the night going 3 for 3.  Abby Dejoy brought the Thunder stick to the party as she went 2 for 3, including hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning.

The winning pitcher on the day for Brookfield was there ace in the circle Miranda Nicholson allowing, 2 hits, and 7 strikeouts through five innings pitched.

Brookfield and Campbell will continue their series on Tuesday as they meet up again this time in Campbell. First pitch is slated for 5:00.

JEFFERSON SNEAKS AWAY FOR FIRST LEAGUE WIN

By Matt Morrison 

JEFFERSON, OHIO- In what was a close game the whole way, Jefferson was able to sneak away from Hubbard 6-4 to win their first conference game of the season.

Mia Cotenza went 2 for 3, including hitting a single to tie the game in the fourth. Kennidie Rogers would hit a triple within the sixth to put Jefferson ahead for good. Sammi Speakman was the winning pitcher, allowing 6 hits, 4 runs, and 7 strikeouts through nine innings pitched.

Jillian Palumbo went 2 for 3 in the losing effort for the Eagles. Haleigh Taylor was the losing pitcher allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, and had 1 strikeout through four innings pitched.

Hubbard and Jefferson will play one another again on Tuesday at 5:00.

RIDGE FINDS THE WINNING WAY

By Matt Morrison

ATWATER, OHIO- Mineral Ridge picked up their first win of the season as they defeated Waterloo in extra innings 7-3. After being deadlocked at three for 2 innings, the Rams scored four unanswered runs in the eighth inning to secure the win.

The Rams were led by Trey Rigley, who went 2 for 4 and the plate and was also the winning pitcher on the day going three and a third innings, allowing 5 hits, and had 3 strikeouts.

Noah Hughes  and Landon Mclain led Waterloo in hitting as they went 2 for 4. Hughes also started the day on the mound, pitching five innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, and had 6 strikeouts. The losing pitcher was Austin Hurst, who pitched two and a third innings, allowing 1 hit, and 3 runs.

Mineral Ridge and Waterloo will be back in action when they take each other on Tuesday.

HUBBARD PICKS UP FIRST WIN

By Matt Morrison

HUBBARD, OHIO- The Hubbard Eagles picked up their first win of the season when they defeated the visiting Jefferson Falcons 15-5.

After the Falcons got on the scoreboard first, it was all Hubbard the rest of the way as they 14 runs in the next three innings of play. The man of the day for Hubbard was Johnny Reyes, who went 4 for 4. Andrew Kali and Tyler Wright also had productive days for the Eagles as Kali went 2 for 2, scoring 3 runs, and Wright went 2 for 3, scoring 3 runs.

The winning pitcher was Michael Biro who pitched four innings, allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, and had 5 strikeouts.

Kirkland Lambert was the losing pitcher today, pitching one inning, allowing 5 hits, 8 runs, ad 2 strikeouts. Lambert also led the Falcons in hitting going 3 for 3.

Hubbard will travel to Jefferson on Tuesday with Jefferson still looking for their first win of the season. 

LILLEY’S MONSTER DAY PUSHES VIKINGS FORWARD

By Matt Morrison


ATWATER, OHIO- Waterloo got the best of Mineral Ridge as they took the win 15-5. Waterloo’s big innings were when they scored 5 runs in the second inning and six runs in the fourth inning.

The Vikings were led by Jewel Lilley, who had a grand slam and also had a walk off 2 run home run. She finished with 8 RBI. Lilley also was the winning pitcher on the day  allowing  8 hits, 5 runs, and had 8 strikeouts.

Lily Merolillo and Maddy Ylonen led the Rams in hitting as they both went 2 for 3. Merolillo was also the losing pitcher on the day allowing 7 hits, 9 runs, and had 3 strikeouts.

Waterloo will travel to Mineral Ridge on Tuesday to take on the Rams once again. 

TIGERS FEEL NO MONDAY BLUES

By Michael Wolfgang

NEW MIDDLETOWN, OHIO – Pitching and timely hitting was the path to victory for Springfield Monday night as they shout out Lowellville 4-0.

Haleigh McCalla was as good as it can get on the mound for Springfield, allowing zero runs, three hits, and 14 strikeouts as she went the seven inning distance. Madi Lesnak went 2-for-3 at the dish to lead Springfield in hits. Lesnak also had a game high four stolen bases as the Tigers as a team ran wild on the base paths with nine in total. The defense for the Tigers was flawless, backing up McCalla nicely, committing zero errors.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday night as the scene shifts to Lowellville. First pitch will be thrown at 5:00 p.m.

 

RESERVE STRIKES LAST IN OFFENSIVE BATTLE

YOUNGSTOWN OH- There is no better place to hold the biggest rivalry game on your schedule than the beautiful YSU softball facility. Western Reserve and Jackson Milton put on a show on the big stage Monday night as they scored a combined 24 runs.  Even though Jackson Milton scored 5 unanswered runs to end the game, it wasn’t enough to overcome the lead the Blue Devils built. Western Reserve walked away with a 13-11 win.

Western Reserve got plenty of contributions from their lineup.  Hannah Heath had a perfect night at the dish going 4-4 with 4 runs scored and 3 RBI.  Allison Jones finished the game 3-4 with 3 runs scored and a RBI. She stole 4 bases as well.  Cailey Selley also knocked in 4 RBI on a 2-4 day.  Kaleigh Williams went 3-4 in the 9 spot of the lineup with a RBI and a run scored.

Macayle Thornhill had a three hit game for the Jays going 3-5 with a RBI and 3 runs scored.  Alena Len was the most productive bat driving in 4 RBI going 1-3 at the plate.  Grace Johns was 2-4 with 3 RBI.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, this time at Jackson Milton. Start time for the game is 5:00.

WESTERN RESERVE SOFTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH KATIE SERENSKY

BERLIN CENTER OH- It’s a brand new era of softball in Western Reserve as Katie Serensky takes her first year as head coach in stride.  In talking to her you can tell this was a dream job in her mind, and one she’s been wanting for a while. Coaching comes second nature in the Serensky household. Joe Serensky is the head coach of the boys basketball team, and he’ll be an assistant to Katie in softball. As for the Blue Devils roster, it is filled with talent, and most importantly speed. They might be the fastest team in the YSN family.  As they embark on a new season with a new coach, we are so excited to see what they will accomplish.

Coach Serensky was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to discuss the season. They chat about the speed the Devils feature in the lineup, the leaders she will lean on this season, and much more. Check out Episode 1 of Coach’s Corner With Katie Serensky exclusively on YSN!

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