Tag Archive for: Irish

URSULINE VOLLEYBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH NATE ZUNIC

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Ursuline volleyball is off to a hot start in 2023. There’s no question why, they are loaded with talent.  They have the energy and belief that they can be a serious problem for teams on their schedule.  The crazy thing is, there is no one talking about Ursuline as a powerhouse. In preseason volleyball discussions they have been the definition of under the radar.  Well, it’s time to start putting the Irish on your map. They have started the year at 4-0.  Their head coach is someone who believes in everything the program can be. Nate Zunic fully understands what putting Ursuline on the shirt means. It brings a legacy. It brings a tradition that you have to hold up. He makes his players do just that, and here they are staring down the chance of a program defining season.

Coach Zunic took the time to come talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to discuss the season, and what the Irish are looking forward to. He talks about the roster he carries with him, what it means to be a part of the Ursuline community, and so much more. Check out Episode 1 of Coach’s Corner With Nate Zunic only on YSN.

Presented By:

 

URSULINE PUTS THE PEDAL TO THE METAL

By Tim Corso


Ursuline improved to 2-0 on the young season with an elite win over Padua Franciscan, 38-7. 
These two squads met up last season at Stambaugh Stadium, with the Irish rolling past the Bruins, and this time was no different.

Ursuline scored a touchdown on its’ opening drive on a 4-yard Jack Ericson run, then capped the drive with a two-point conversion by D.C. Ferrell. Ericson passed for nearly 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Irish’s road opener.

Those eight points would end up being all Ursuline needed, as its’ stout defense surrendered just seven points, while forcing (and recovering) a pair of fumbles for the second straight game.

It all started when the defense set the tone early with a three-and-out. However, a roughing the kicker penalty gave Padua a new set of downs and a second chance. The gut check was early for the Irish, but they forced a second three-and-out on the drive and exploded with that momentum.

While the defense was a force all night, the light shined brightest on the slew of Ursuline’s skill players. While D.C. Ferrell is one of the bigger names in the greater Youngstown area, it was Devonte Taylor, Jy’Quise Liaison, Christian Lynch, and Tairan Davis helping out Farrell with the workload.

Taylor made a couple clutch grabs, while Lynch and Liason both found paydirt and racked up their yardage in a hurry.  Lynch accumulated 132 yards on the ground with two scores.

Padua’s lone score was Roderick Love, the record-setting halfback that the Bruins rely heavily on. However, the lights went out after that for the Padua, and it was all Irish the rest of the way.

Ursuline (2-0) will travel back to Youngstown to host Ashtabula Lakeside (1-1) on Friday, September 1 at 7 p.m.

IRISH FIND THE RIGHT STROKE

 

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Girls golf took center stage at Henry Stambaugh Golf Course Monday as Ursuline and Hubbard squared off.

It was the Irish who took home the victory 197-209 over the Eagles on a hot Monday afternoon. Ursuline’s Gia Schiavone led all golfers with a 44 on the day. The Irish also received contributions in the victory from Josie Bishara 48, Arianna Schivone shot a 52, Gaby Gasior shot a  53 and Lilly Ditz 55. Evan Flynn led the way for Hubbard carding a 51.

The Eagles’ Malorie Oyler and Maddie Fox recorded 52 respectively while teammate Kennedy Perline added a 54.

BIG RED DODGE RAINDROPS; CAN’T HIDE FROM IRISH

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Ursuline snuck past Steubenville Thursday, 36-28, on a night filled with uncertainty.

 While the Irish boasted a deep skill position group, many questioned how its line would fare after graduating all five starters from the previous season.

Ursuline came out of the gate firing when signal caller Jack Ericson found D.C. Ferrell wide open to move his squad into Big Red territory. The drive was extended with a couple of third down conversions, then capped off by a 14-yard touchdown scamper from All-State halfback Christian Lynch.

Once the Irish got going, they never surrendered the lead. A couple of stops in the second frame and timely touchdown catches from new starters Tairan Davis and Devonte Taylor put Dan Reardon’s squad up convincingly at the break, 29-12. 

As if Ursuline’s home opener wasn’t going well enough, Vinny Fecko was able to force a Steubenville fumble on the first play of the third quarter. Shortly after, Ericson connected with Taylor for the second time on the evening, and the route seemed to be on with the Irish holding a commanding 36-12 lead.

The Big Red would answer back in thanks to its seniors. First on a touchdown run from Savier Faulks, then later a pick-six from Elijah Mullins. Que the storm.

The weather delay for this game lasted well over an hour, but when it resumed, the Irish had fourth and 15 from the Steubenville 45-yard line. Only 5:06 remained in the contest/

Steubenville kept fighting, scoring a late touchdown with a successful two-point conversion.

However, an Ursuline three-and-out couldn’t help the Big Red’s hopes of forcing an extra session. A last-second “Hail Mary” attempt fell about 15 yards shy of the end zone and secured an impressive victory for Ursuline.

Ericson led the way for the Irish, tossing the rock for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Davis was also big in the win, racking up well over 100 receiving yards and a pair of scores.

*Article written by YSN’s Tim Corso


URSULINE’S RUN COMES UNDONE

STRUTHERS, OHIO- The Mogadore Field Falcons took down the Ursuline Irish 4-1 to advance to the Division II District Championship.

The Irish got on the board first in the second inning as Caleb Gartner’s wild pitch allowed one run to score for the Irish. The Falcons then pulled away for good with two runs in the third inning when Kayden Smith drew a walk, scoring one run.

Gartner earned the win on the mound as the pitcher went seven innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out five and walking zero.

Anthony Triveri went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the way in hits as Andrew Kirila took the loss for the Irish. The southpaw surrendered three runs on two hits over three innings, striking out five.

 

*Powered By Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved

ONE RUN IS ENOUGH FOR URSULINE TO MOVE ON

By Michael Wolfgang


GENEVA, OHIO – Sometimes all it takes is one run, and for Ursuline, that’s exactly what it took Wednesday night as they shutout Geneva 1-0.

Andrew Kirila was at the head of that narrow victory for Ursuline, tossing a complete game shutout on the mound. Kirila allowed three hits and zero runs while striking out three and came out as the game’s winning pitcher.

The Ursuline offense connected on six hits throughout the game. Marc Manning and Dylan Casey each tallied up two hits for Ursuline with Tommy Groner and CJ Frasco each getting on the board with one hit a piece. Casey had the only RBI of the game which led to the only run being scored on the night.

On top of a dominant pitching performance, the other dimension of the shutout for Ursuline was rock solid defense in the field as they did not commit any errors. 

IRISH NO WHERE CLOSE TO DONE

JEFFERSON, OHIO- Mia Opalick shut down the Jefferson Falcons, throwing a complete game shutout and leading the Ursuline Fighting Irish to a 5-0 victory on Thursday in the sectional finals.

The Irish racked up ten hits in the game as Mackenzie Smith and Opalick all managed multiple hits. Opalick and Smith all had three hits to the Irish at the plate.

A single by Bodey Beckwith in the first inning was a positive for the Falcons.

Opalick got the win for the Irish as the righthander went seven innings, allowing zero runs on three hits and striking out 15.

Sammie Speakman took the loss for the Falcons. The pitcher lasted seven innings, allowing ten hits and five runs while striking out ten.

With the win, The Irish will head to the District Semi-Finals to take on Aurora. 

 

*Powered By Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved

IRISH PUT THEIR HEAD DOWN INTO TOURNAMENT TIME

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO- Savannah Patrone would not be denied at the plate on Tuesday, picking up four hits and leading the Ursuline Fighting Irish to a 22-1 playoff win over Chaney.

Patrone singled in the first, doubled in the first, singled in the second, and singled in the fourth. The Fighting Irish totaled 26 hits in the game as Patrone, Brooke O’palick, Lilly Ditz, Mia Opalick, Mackenzie Smith, Liza Barbato, Gia Schiavone, and Katie Koulianos each managed multiple hits.

Patrone went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Irish. Mia Opalick was credited with the victory for the Irish as the pitcher surrendered zero runs on zero hits over two innings, striking out six and walking zero.

The Irish will move advance into the second round as they will wait for their opponent match up. 



*Powered By Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved

PITCHING PAVES THE WAY FOR URSULINE

By Michael Wolfgang


STRUTHERS , OHIO – Pitching is the name of the game. The longer a pitcher can go into a game and do it efficiently gives you a great chance to earn a win.

Tom Groner was as sharp as a tack Friday for Ursuline as he shut down the United offense on the way to a 3-0 final score. On the mound, Groner allowed just one hit and no runs with six strikeouts and one base on balls and of course came out as the games winning pitcher.

Gage Smith pitched well for United, but was out dueled by Groner and only went four and two-third innings.

Ursuline never trailed throughout the ballgame, and they took the lead early on in the bottom of the first inning as a run scored on an error by United. Ursuline then added on one run in each the third inning and the fifth to add up to their three runs in the game. Luca Ricchiuti led the Irish in hits with two in his two plate appearances. Andrew Kirila had the lone run batted in for Ursuline.

The Irish will next get ready for a quick turnaround, 10:00 a.m. first pitch with Hoover at home on Saturday.

KOULIANOS DELIVERS A WALK OFF IN EXTRAS

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Ursuline seized victory in dramatic walk-off fashion, thanks to a walk-off single at the end of the game to topple Gilmour Academy. The game was tied at one with Ursuline batting in the bottom of the eighth when Katie Koulianos singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run.

The pitching was strong on both sides. Ursuline pitchers struck out 15, while the Lancers sat down two.

Liza Barbato earned the win for the Irish. Barbato went two and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on zero hits, striking out five and walking one.

Mia Opalick started the game for Ursuline. The righthander went five and a third innings, allowing zero runs on two hits, striking out ten and walking one

Opalick went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Ursuline  in hits.

*Powered By Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved.