Tag Archive for: High School softball

FITCH FAMILY COMES FULL CIRCLE

AUSTINTOWN OH- Fitch has done it! For the first time since 1993 the Falcons softball program has punched their ticket to the Final Four. A championship 30 years in the making.  With new generations taking the wheel, the old generations aren’t as far away as you’d think. Lisa Beaudis, the mother of Fitch senior Madi Beaudis played with some of the players that went to state in 1993. As she started her high school career one year later and helped keep the Falcons on the map in the region. Now Lisa gets to sit back (or nervously stand up) and watch her daughter reach the same goals.

Both Lisa and Madi took time out of their Memorial Day to hop on YSN’s Running Point. They talk about the Fitch family and how things have come full circle, the family dynamic they both share, and so much more. Check out this exclusive interview with Madi and Lisa Beaudis only on YSN!

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DOWN BY THE MARINA

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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RAIDERS TAKING ANOTHER CRACK AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT

CANTON OH- South Range nabbed the lead late in the game in an 8-4 victory over Champion on Friday in the DIII Regional Final. The game was tied at four with South Range batting in the top of the eighth when Anna Aey singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. The Raiders would go on to tack on three more after that in the 8th

South Range earned the victory despite allowing Champion to score three runs in the sixth inning. The Golden Flashes offense in the inning was led by Morgan Davis, Isabella Meyer, and Abigail Meadors, all driving in runs in the frame. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Champion tied things up at four.

Juli Stachowicz got the win for the Raiders. The southpaw surrendered four runs on five hits over eight innings, striking out ten and walking one.

Gabrielle Gradishar took the loss for Champion. The hurler allowed ten hits and eight runs over eight innings, striking out ten and walking one.

South Range collected ten hits on the day. Gretchen Bartels, Kelly Szolek, and Jayli Wilt all collected multiple hits. Wilt, Szolek, and Bartels each managed two hits to lead the Raiders.

Davis led Champion with two hits in four at bats. Gradishar tied Champion’s single season home run record with her 18th in the fourth inning to give Champion a 1-0 lead at the time.

South Range makes their third trip to the state semifinals since 2016.  The Raiders have won each of the last two state semifinal games they’ve played in. The Raiders are squared up with Wheelersburg with a trip to the championship on the line. That game is slated for Thursday at 12:30 at Historic Firestone Stadium in Akron.

A STATE TRIP 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING

YOUNGSTOWN OH- For the first time in three decades, the Fitch softball team is on its way to the OHSAA State Final Four. The Lady Falcons beat Walsh Jesuit 11-1 on Friday afternoon, winning the Division 1 Regional Championship and earning the right to play in the Division 1 State Semifinal for a chance to move on to the state title game. The Lady Falcons last appearance in the State Semifinal came in 1993 under then head coach Jerry Beltempo who led the team to an overall record of 25-4 and a win over Piqua before falling to Akron Springfield 1-0 in the State Championship Game.

After a scoreless first inning, Fitch got on the board when sophomore Samantha Severn reached second base on an error. Another error put Abby Toth on base which enabled Severn to reach third. Morgan Roby pulled off the suicide squeeze to bring Severn home for the game’s first run. The Lady Falcons took a 1-0 lead into the top of the third before the Lady Warriors got on the board after pitcher Sydnie Watts gave up a walk followed by an RBI single which tied the game at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the third.

From that point it was all Fitch. Caitlin Mitchell started the inning with a double followed by consecutive walks by fellow senior McKenna Hogan and freshman Kylie Folkwein. Samantha Severn brought Mitchell home with an RBI single which Abby Toth backed up with an RBI groundout. Roby would then reach on an error which brought in two RBIs to put the Lady Falcons up 5-1 after three. A solo home run by Sydnie Watts accounted for all of the scoring in the bottom of the fourth, but Fitch would add three more runs in the fifth as Toth and Roby had extra base hits. Pinch hitter Tina Montgomery scored Roby from third on an RBI single before Caitlin Mitchell tacked on another with an RBI single. Sydnie Watts, who also struck out eleven batters while giving up only four runs, was intentionally walked to put pinch runner Rachel Spalding on base to give McKenna Hogan the opportunity to knock in a run with an RBI groundout. Kylie Folkwein would strike out to end the inning with the Lady Falcons leading 9-1 going into the sixth.

In the top of the sixth, the defense kept the Lady Warriors off the board which gave Fitch the chance to seal the game. Severn started the bottom frame with a walk but was thrown out on a fielder’s choice which got Toth on base safely. Toth advanced to second base on a passed ball before Madi Beaudis knocked her in with an RBI single. Leadoff hitter Ayla Ray then hit a ground rule double and Caitlin Mitchell hit a walk-off RBI single to give Fitch an 11-1 win and a Regional Championship trophy.

The Lady Falcons will face the Lebanon Lady Warriors on Friday, June 2 in the State Semifinal at Firestone Stadium in Akron with the first pitch scheduled for 12:30pm. With a win, Fitch will take on the winner of the game between Whitehouse Anthony Wayne and Pataskala Watkins Memorial. The state title game is set for 3:00pm on Saturday, June 3.

*Contributed by Chris Lewis at austintownathletics.com

 

CARDINALS RIDING ON TO FIRESTONE

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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THE AUSTINTOWN BRIDGE

AUSTINTOWN OH- If you know the sport of softball, you know for a team to be elite they have to have a lineup that is consistent 1-9.  In a deep lineup there are different roles each position plays. One of the overlooked but very important parts of a lineup is smack dab in the middle. In the spot after Fitch’s lead off and clean up hitters, but before the power at the bottom of the order there’s a space that can serve as a bridge. A new table setter for the second half of the batting order. All season that responsibility has been put on Sam Severn.

Severn is an exceptional leader in her sophomore season. She brings the experience of playing in a regional final a year ago. With plenty of young or new players on the roster, it’s players like Severn who help the Falcons set the tone.  She knows exactly what it takes to get back to that round, and to even take the next step.

Severn has played in every game this year for Fitch and currently has a batting average of .364.  She has hit 1 home run, 1 triple, and 5 doubles.  As said at the top of the article Severn does a great job setting the table for the power and production Fitch has at the bottom half of the order. Because of that, she gets to come around the bases a lot. Sam has scored 16 runs on the season.

 

Severn took the time to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to discuss her season. They talked about the transition between freshman and sophomore season, how she’s become a leader to the new faces on the field, and so much more. Check out the latest Fitch Softball Player Profile exclusively on YSN!

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FALCONS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR TO STATE

The Fitch softball team is still alive in the postseason after beating Berea-Midpark 2-0 in the Regional Semifinal on Wednesday thanks to an impressive day for Caitlin Mitchell which started right off the bat. In the bottom of the first, the senior got on base thanks to an error and was easily able to get to second. On the next at-bat, pitcher Sydnie Watts hit a single which scored Mitchell all the way from second base to give the Lady Falcons a quick 1-0 lead. The frame would end with runners stranded on second and third. It would be a low scoring affair on account of another great pitchers’ duel that would see Watts come out on top in the end as she picked up her ninth career no hitter. However, it was Mitchell who stole the show and another base following a single to deep left field in the bottom of the sixth inning. A sacrifice grounder by fellow senior McKenna Hogan moved Mitchell to third and freshman Kylie Folkwein then brought her home for the game sealing run with an RBI single. Fitch led 2-0 heading into the seventh and Watts closed the deal with two more strikeouts with a caught foul ball in between.

Mitchell went 2-for-3 on the day and scored both of the team’s runs. Watts’ no hitter was the ninth of her career as she struck out 17 batters in the process.

Undefeated Fitch will face Walsh Jesuit in the Regional Final for a chance to advance to the State Tournament after the Lady Warriors beat North Canton Hoover by a score of 7-3 on Wednesday night. The game is scheduled for Friday at 5:00pm at the Youngstown State University Softball Complex.

*Contributed By Chris Lewis at austintownathletics.com

AEY’S SLAM MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR SOUTH RANGE

CANFIELD OH- South Range snatched the lead late in the game in a 4-3 victory over Triway on Wednesday in the regional semifinal. The game was tied at two with South Range batting in the top of the seventh when Anna Aey homered on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs.

South Range got things started in the first inning when Kelly Szolek singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

The Raiders evened things up at two in the top of the sixth inning. They scored one run when Samantha Susany singled.

Juli Stachowicz was credited with the victory for South Range. The lefty allowed six hits and three runs over seven innings, striking out nine and walking zero.

Carter Wachtel toed the rubber for the Titans. The hurler surrendered four runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out 15 and walking zero.

South Range socked one home run on the day. Aey had a homer in the seventh inning.

Jayli Wilt, Susany, Madison Dado, Keira Brogan, Aey, and Szolek all had one hit to lead the Raiders offense.

Hanna Massaro, Callie Robson, Emma Flinner, Michelle Lyons, Myah Lester, and Alyssa Hochstetler each managed one hit to lead Triway in hits.

South Range advances to the regional finals on Friday. They will square up with Champion at Willig Park in Canton at 5:00.

CHAMPION WINS A NAIL BITING PITCHER’S DUEL

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.

CARDINALS EASILY PLANT THEMSELVES IN REGIONAL FINAL

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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