Gabrielle Gradishar shut down Keystone, throwing a complete game shutout and leading Champion to a 1-0 victory on Wednesday in the regional semifinals.
The pitching was strong on both sides. Gradishar struck out 16, while Delaney Peters sat down five.
Champion got things moving in the second inning. Addison Warzala hit a solo homer.
One bright spot for Keystone was a single by Charlee Hudak in the third inning.
Gradishar earned the win for the Flashes. The ace went seven innings, allowing zero runs on four hits, striking out 16 and walking zero.
Peters took the loss for Keystone. The pitcher went seven innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out five and walking one.
Champion smacked one home run on the day. Warzala went deep in the second inning.
Warzala led the Flashes with two hits in three at bats. Champion didn’t commit a single error in the field. Warzala had the most chances in the field with 16.
Hudak went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead the Wildcats in hits.
Champion advances to the regional final where they’ll meet South Range. That game will take place at Willig Park in Canton at 5:00.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BDB48C53-AAC2-4BF6-958B-728E792218EE-scaled-1.jpeg13862560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-25 01:57:322023-05-25 01:57:32CHAMPION WINS A NAIL BITING PITCHER’S DUEL
MACEDONIA, OHIO- The Canfield Cardinals cruised to an easy victory over The Holy Name Green Wave 12-2 on Wednesday in the regional semifinals.
The Cardinals fired up the offense in the first inning when Hailey Freedy drove in one run with a single. The Cardinals then tallied five runs in the third inning as the offensive onslaught was led by Marina Koenig, Haydyn Merritt, Jenna Triveri, and Gianna Pannunzio, all driving in runs in the frame.
The Cardinals had 12 hits in the game as Pannunzio, Freedy, and Faith Morell all collected multiple hits, but it was Pannunzio who led things at the plate with three hits in four at bats.
Malena Toth got the start in the circle for the Cardinals as the pitcher allowed three hits and two runs over five innings, striking out ten.
Reagan Vavro toed the rubber for the Green Wave as she surrendered nine runs on seven hits over two and a third innings, striking out two. Victoria Shiban threw one and two-thirds innings in relief out of the bullpen.
The Cardinals will now advance to the Division II Regional Finals to take on the Marlington Dukes.
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https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/F7924A63-99F8-4BFE-B2AC-1BE243C1E9CE-scaled-1.jpeg14082560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-25 01:23:262023-05-25 01:23:26CARDINALS EASILY PLANT THEMSELVES IN REGIONAL FINAL
With countless area conferences being decided on both the baseball and softball side. However, The All-American Conference (AAC) has been hanging in the balance between two top area softball teams, Austintown-Fitch and Canfield since May 4th when nine innings could not decide a winner in a 3-3 tie. The two ball clubs were scheduled to play the second game of a two-game set on May 5th, but through countless rainy days and the start of The OHSAA tournament, both teams settled on May 22nd as the makeup date.
With the new date set, and beautiful weather as the setting, The Falcons and The Cardinals were ready to duke it out to determine who would take The AAC crown! Fitch was entering the game winners of the conference three consecutive times, looking for a fourth. Whereas the current edition of The Cardinals were looking for their first taste of the AAC Championship. Both teams also were coming off District Championship victories where The Fitch Falcons defeated The Mentor Cardinals in Division 1 and The Canfield Cardinals, coincidentally, bested The Field Falcons in Division 2. Showcasing just how even both teams have been all season!
As expected, pitching was going to have the proverbial magnifying glass placed upon it as the main focus entering the game. Hard not to when the arms include Sydnie Watts (Fitch) and Malena Toth (Canfield) as both right-handers sported an ERA under 1 and tallied 200+ strikeouts a piece this year. In the previous out, Toth registered 20 strikeouts against Fitch, while Watts did not do shabby herself, fanning 17 in the first meeting. Both arms shut the opposing lineup down through the first five innings on Monday, although the strikeouts numbers were not quite the same, the pitching dominance was!
The Falcons struck first in the top of the sixth inning when Ayla Ray sat on third base and was brought home via the suicide squeeze play executed by Watts, scoring Ray and giving Fitch the slim 1-0 advantage. Watts would come back in the bottom of the inning and get out of a jam, with the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, Watts struckout Malena Toth to preserve the lead. The Following inning, Toth set Austintown down in order to get her offense back on the field and would you guess what was in the cards? A game-tying solo blast to left field by Marina Koenig to leadoff the bottom of the seventh, dramatically tying the game to start the frame!
Watts would go on to prevent any further damage, keeping the game tied 1-1 after seven innings of play. Following a brief discussion with the game umpires, coaching staffs from both Austintown-Fitch and Canfield unanimously agreed to call the ball game a tie, thus giving us Co-AAC Champions in 2023! Through two games, 16 innings of play, with both teams each scoring four runs on one another in those two games. In the two games, Malena Toth pitched all 16 innings, striking out 31 (11 in game two), while Sydnie Watts also pitched all 16 innings and struck out, guess what? 31 batters (14 in game two) showcasing just how even both teams and both arms have been against each other all season!
Fitch (18-0-2) will now go on to face Berea-Midpark (21-4) in a Regional Semi-Final on Wednesday, May 24th at Youngstown State University, slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch. As for Canfield (21-2-2) they will also be in a Regional Semi-Final game against Holy Name (17-2) also on Wednesday, the site of the game will be at Nordonia High School and have a first pitch of 5 p.m. interviews with players of both teams can be found below!
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/63E614E9-BF1A-412B-AB0C-0F8647C7C4B9.jpeg9951716Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-24 01:44:582023-05-24 01:44:58FITCH AND CANFIELD SHARE AAC GLORY
CANFIELD OH- With small high schools across the state, families seem to run deep in every hall way. There isn’t a school you could go to and not find a family name, or names that are rich in the tradition of that school. South Range has a family that fits the mold perfectly, and it’s the Feren’s. The Feren’s have been a part of South Range for decades. As students, athletes, coaches, teachers, athletic directors, you name it a Feren has done it inside the halls of South Range. Because of the deep roots of his family, current athletic director, and assistant softball coach Donny Feren gets the blessing of coaching his daughter Jamie through a successful softball career.
Jamie’s senior season was unfortunately halted due to an injury not too long ago. However one of the things that makes her dad, the rest of her coaches, and her teammates the most proud is how she has responded to the adversity that has been put in front of her. She still leads with the same energy that she always did, and she is always finding ways to help her team grow. Where some athletes might find despair, Feren has found positivity and grace.
In the middle of getting ready for regional tournament play both Donny and Jamie Feren sat down with DJ Yokley on YSN’s Power Hour to have an awesome and candid conversation. They talk about their family dynamic, share some great stories, memories, and laughs, and much more. You won’t want to miss the special edition of South Range Softball Player Profile exclusively on YSN!
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https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20210520_184835-scaled-1.jpg25601920Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-23 21:46:572023-07-15 06:06:19THE FERENS BUILD A FAMILY CULTURE
HANOVERTON OH- You never know when you’ll come across an athlete that will live on the lore of their program forever. The athletes that make such a big impact on the team, that they’ll be talked about for years to come. United softball has had the pleasure of being the home of Tori Firth. After having a stellar junior season, the Eagles ace ran through her senior year and took the next step into legendary status. After the season she had in 2023, Firth has permanently solidified herself inside the record books at United. Her career hasn’t come with out adversity. COVID took away Tori’s freshman season, and a shoulder surgery made getting back to 100% a long process. She was not going to be denied though. She used her drive to get back in the circle and become one of the best players to come through United softball.
Firth has collected both regular season, and career records this season. She has the season record for home runs with 10, and RBI with 47. When you add to that her career records of 24 home runs, 120 RBI, and a career batting average of .550. Tori has a career ERA of 2.10 and 504 strikeouts in her career in the circle. While the pitching stats may not be program records, when you combine them with her work at the dish, it’s easy to see why she’s so decorated.
Tori took the time to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to recap her career at United. She discusses the adversity she has faced, how special United has been to her, and much more. Check out the latest United softball player profile exclusively on YSN!
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https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/50A09045-1794-41B7-82C8-16D9F57DEC3E-scaled-1.jpeg14072560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-22 17:29:112023-07-15 06:05:54FIRTH WILL LIVE IN THE RECORD BOOKS
CANFIELD OH- Some people go through life without getting the opportunity to achieve something they work hard for. It’s a reality of life, especially sports that hard work doesn’t always equal desired results. For three years Haylie Freedy put in all the work in the world. However that opportunity to be a consistent starter on the varsity level never manifested itself. That all changed this off-season when new head coach Mike Kernan gave Freedy the reigns of her future and the opportunity to make an impact on the team. To say that Freedy made the most of the open door would be an understatement. She has raced into on of the best batting averages on the team, and she also has saved countless runs with a great glove in the outfield. Freedy will be playing softball at the next level as well. She will continue her softball career at Mount Vernon Nazarene.
Freedy is currently hitting at an average of .477 with 4 doubles, 2 triples, and 15 RBI. Her on base percentage is elevated as well sitting at .511. One of the big reasons she gets on base so much is her ability to put the ball in play. Freedy has only struck out 2 times all season. She also drawn 5 walks. Freedy uses plenty of speed when she gets on base, she has stolen 7 bags this year and has not been caught once.
Freedy took the time to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig about this senior season. She discusses how she has been able to make the most out of her opportunity, keeping her confidence High through her career, and so much more. Check out the latest Canfield Softball player profile exclusively on YSN!
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https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/C2FC8F19-8665-46EC-835C-FF72DB1E6789-scaled-1.jpeg14512560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-19 17:32:492023-07-15 06:05:21FREE TO BE FREEDY
HUBBARD OH- Canfield knocked in four runs in the fifth on its way to a 7-1 victory over Field on Thursday to secure their second straight district championship. Jenna Triveri, Gianna Pannunzio, and Faith Morell each had RBIs in the big inning.
Canfield got on the board in the first inning when Pannunzio singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run.
The Cardinals scored four runs in the fifth inning. The rally was led by a triple by Triveri, a single by Morell, and an error on a ball put in play by Pannunzio.
Malena Toth earned the win for Canfield. The righty surrendered one run on one hit over seven innings, striking out 12 and walking one.
Canfield smacked one home run on the day. Leah Figueroa had a dinger in the sixth inning.
The Cardinals tallied 12 hits. Figueroa, Pannunzio, Sydney Lutz, and Triveri each had multiple hits. Figueroa went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the team in hits.
Canfield advances to the Division II Regional Semifinals on Wednesday. The Cardinals will be squared up with Holy Name. The game is set for a 5:00 first pitch at Nordonia High School.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AD9D3261-AB89-45AA-94C2-BCFD93592581-scaled-1.jpeg17072560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-19 04:21:282023-05-19 04:21:28CANFIELD REPEATS INTO REGIONALS
LEAVITTSBURG, OH – It was a long time coming for the illustrious Champion softball program. After COVID canceling the 2020 season, falling short in the district finals in 2021, and then in the sectional finals in 2022, they finally got back to where they wanted to be. As a result, they won their first district championship since 2019 with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Lakeview in front of a packed house at LaBrae High School.
Champion had a field day out on the field as they just had to sit back and let young sophomore Gabby Gradishar do her splendid work on the mound. She just missed out on another perfect game in the tournament, giving up just one hit and compiling 13 strikeouts on the evening. Assisting Gradishar was the intact communication of second base player Savannah Tvaroch and first base player Abigail Meadors, as they were right there to tag the Lakeview runner out.
Despite the batting struggles, Lakeview’s defense had a strong showing against the loaded batting core of Champion, as they had nice saves with tagging the bags in the knick of time, all while guarding the home plate well. However, Champion relied on Meadors to find the hole in that defense as her 2 RBIs helped pave the way to Golden Flash victory. Her RBIs came in the first inning, as she caught the Bulldogs on an error, and then in the fifth inning as she had the right placement just into the right field grass to extend the lead. It then took none other than a Gradishar strikeout in the top of the seventh to seal the deal for the team.
Champion improves to 24-3 with their district championship win in four years. They will start their run at their first regional title since their state title run of 2018 when they play LaGrange Keystone at the Willig Softball Complex in Canton on Wednesday at 2:00 PM. Lakeview finishes their Cinderella season at 18-4.
YSN’s Noah Ricks talked to Champion coach Cheryl Weaver, starting pitcher Gabby Gradishar, and first base player Abigail Meadors following the contest. All three interviews can be watched below.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/5ED40514-6101-41EF-B27B-B04DD8AEEE0A.jpeg8931536Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-19 04:07:532023-05-19 04:07:53CHAMPION IS BACK IN THE HISTORY BOOKS
When categorizing the talent pool of players, you can divide them up any which way you choose. Talk about the good players from the great players, but then there is the step beyond great, generational! Perhaps it is a term that is thrown around or loosely used, but seldom do players actually exemplify those levels of greatness. Austintown-Fitch Falcon junior Ayla Ray has reached that level and continues reaching for the sky!
A multiple sport athlete, but softball is the favorite, Ray has climbed the ranks to be, not just one of the best players on her team, not the region, not the state but the entire nation! Batting a whopping .589 this season, Ray is leading her team batting average once again and doing so while facing some of the toughest arms around. Not just an average hitter anymore, Ayla developed her power in the offseason and it has shown on the field! Swatting five home runs on the year (T-1st on team) and driving in 18 RBI (T-4th on team) from the leadoff spot, Ray sets the pace on offense and does so in a big way.
Although she may be soft spoken in personal conversations, there is little to no doubt as to who you are hearing in the dugout. One of the primary voices to hype her teammates up, Ray continues to show amazing leadership on the team as countless younger talents look up to The Ace of Base! This is because as great of a softball player that Ayla is, she is all that and more as a person with a stellar personality and attitude!
Looking to stay local in her college career, fans will have the exciting opportunity to continue seeing one of the best high school players in the nation continue to develop her game at the next level! One of the best of the best, you do not want to miss this edition of Player Profile as Ty Bartell talks with Ace herself, Ayla Ray!
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https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/66FD5E9D-0071-4C0B-9EFE-AD2DC586741B.jpeg13382452Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-18 16:45:072023-07-15 06:04:42ACE OF BASE SETS THE PACE
In their second District Championship game in as many years, The Austintown-Fitch Falcons Softball Club squared off against The Mentor Cardinals at the the friendly confines of Youngstown State University’s (YSU) Softball Complex! These two squads had met earlier in the season, back on March 31st of this year. That contest saw Fitch belt their way to a big 11-1 win over Mentor. However, that was The Cardinals first game of the season. The second time around, both teams had a full regular season under their belt and, more importantly, had experience off one-another. Fitch came off an impressive 11-1 victory over The Madison Blue Streaks to get back to The District Championship game, while Mentor won a thrilling 4-2 win over Eastlake North to book their
This matchup also saw two pitchers compete with contrasting styles, with “The Flamethrower” Sydnie Watts a high-velocity strikeout pitcher. And The Cardinals Kristen Dems, a master of control and a pitch-to-contact arm. Both girls had a game plan on attacking the opposing lineups and were ready to execute in the moments leading up to first pitch!
The Cards worked a leadoff walk by Izzy Coode in the top of the first, but Watts was able to slam the door after the baserunner was aboard by striking out the next three Mentor bats in order. The next half inning saw “Ace of Base” Ayla Ray started the Fitch bats off with a single, Kristen Dems retired the next two bats before hitting McKenna Hogan to set up runners at the corners with two out in the bottom of the first. Showing great poise and confidence with runners on, Dems retired Kylie Folkwein to post a zero on the scoreboard!
The next inning saw much of the same, with both arms battling in the circle! Mentor got the leadoff batter on with Olivia Sacks lining a single to center to start the second before, once again, Watts retired the next three bats by way of the K! Sam Severn did the same for Fitch in the bottom of the second when she led off with a single up the gut. A fielder’s choice would swap baserunners Sam Severn for Abby Toth, which Toth would eventually get to second before Dems got out of the inning leaving another Falcon in scoring position.
Top of the third, same story, Gabi Dadante reached for Mentor and Watts fanned the next two before McKenna Hogan threw out Dadante attempting to steal, sealed with a phenomenal tag applied by Ayla Ray to end the inning. Bottom of the third was a display of dominance by Kristen Dems, retiring the top of the Fitch order, in order, on five pitches! Watts Started the top of the fourth with a strikeout before the next two Cardinals reached, setting up first and second with only one out before the next two were sent down by strikeouts, giving Watts 11 through four innings of work. The bottom of the inning saw Kylie Folkwein reach third base with just one out before Sam Severn delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home the first run of the ballgame for either team. Then later in the inning, the number was called for Lily Stevens to pinch hit off the bench and boy did Stevens deliver! An RBI-single for the freshmen, doubling The Falcon lead in the fourth 2-0!
Fired up in the fifth, pitching with the lead, Watts struck out the first two bats of the inning before Mentor got a two-out walk. Watts would effectively get a called strike three the following batter, continuing her impressive day in the circle. In the bottom of the inning, despite Fitch getting a baserunner, The Falcons were retired quickly and efficiently by Dems in the circle to send the game to the sixth. Mentor had their best opportunity of the game in the top of the sixth when Abby Haydu reached third with just one out in the inning and Olivia Sacks at the plate who, at the time, was two for two with a pair of singles against Watts. Once again coming through in the clutch, Watts struck out the next two batters to end the frame and give herself 17 strikeouts through six innings of work! Kristen Dems would give Mentor a chance in the final inning by pitching a clean bottom of the sixth, sending Fitch down in order including a punch out.
The first two Cardinals struck out to start the seventh before Mentor brought the tying run to the plate after another Gabi Dadante walk. With the game in the balance and a District Championship on the line, Watts blew it by Coode for strike three, giving Watts a school record 20 strikeout performance while simultaneously calling “ballgame!” The District Championship win is the second in as many years for Austintown-Fitch as they will now stay at The YSU Softball Complex for the Division 1, Region 1, Regional Tournament!
What a season for The Mentor Cardinals and what a battle brought forth by one talented squad! We here at Your Sports Network (YSN) wish the seniors nothing but the best in your future endeavors and the returning players good luck in future seasons as The Cardinals finish 13-11 on the campaign. For Fitch (18-0) they are now set to face Berea-Midpark (20-4) in a Regional-Semifinal on Wednesday, May 24th at YSU, slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch! Before that, Fitch is scheduled to battle conference-rival Canfield (20-2) on Saturday, May 20th at 11 a.m. in a pair of makeup games in the conference with The All-American Conference (AAC) on the line!
Interviews with winning Head Coach Steve Ward and Players of The Game Sydnie Watts and Lily Stevens can be found below!
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7D0B66D1-38D6-4CE1-8553-3D857EDE4E41-scaled-1.jpeg13842560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-05-18 14:32:002023-05-18 14:32:00FITCH USES RECORD BREAKING PERFORMANCE TO GET BACK TO BACK TITLES
