Tag Archive for: Jefferson softball

BREAKING IN LIKE BARRESS

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JEFFERSON OH — Few freshmen make their mark on varsity sports quite like Alaina Barress has this softball season. Sitting down with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig, Barress spoke about her stellar debut and the determination that’s powered her through adversity.

Coming off a significant injury that sidelined her for six months, Barress credits her rigorous offseason work for her immediate impact. “I’ve worked really hard in the offseason…showing up in the open gyms, and I think it’s showing,” Barress said. Transitioning from middle school to high school is no small leap, but Barress has handled it with poise both on the field and in the classroom, juggling honors courses alongside a demanding athletic schedule. Time management and using school hours wisely have been key. “I try to keep up with my grades… and if I do have homework, I just get it done that night so I’m not running behind,” she explained.

Barress also praised her teammates and coaches for creating a welcoming, team-first environment. Senior standouts like Allie Hill and Marilia have been role models, while her coaches and family—especially her father, who doubles as her coach—have provided continuous support. Despite the hectic spring weather and frequent schedule changes, Barress keeps her competitive edge with pre-game rituals and a tight-knit team dynamic. “I always have to have two French braids…and flip my batting gloves three times before I step in the box,” she shared. As she nears the end of a memorable freshman campaign, Barress is already looking to inspire the next wave of underclassmen. Her advice: “Look up to the older girls and put the work in, because it will really pay off during the season.” With young stars like Alaina Barress, the future of Jefferson softball looks bright.

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SIRRINE MAKES THE JEFFERSON BATS SIZZLE

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CONNEAUT OH- Jefferson unloaded on Conneaut Monday, rolling to a 19-3 win behind a huge day from Ada Sirrine and a red-hot lineup that couldn’t miss.

Sirrine did damage in both the second and third innings—she roped a two-run single, then came back with a two-run homer to center that helped blow the game wide open.

The Falcons came out swinging in the first. Marillia Matuz drew a bases-loaded walk to open the scoring, then Allison Hill launched a two-run shot to center, and Makenna Stanich drove in another with a groundout to make it 4-0 early.

Conneaut briefly answered with a solo bomb from Maddy Drew in the bottom half, but Jefferson responded with a nine-run second inning that buried the Spartans. Hill drove in two more, Sirrine added her RBI single, and the hit parade kept rolling with RBI knocks from Julia Sprague, Olivia Lewis, and Matuz.

In the third, Sirrine’s homer highlighted another three-run frame as Jefferson pushed the lead to 16-1. They tacked on a few more late to seal the mercy rule win.

Lewis got the start in the circle and went three solid innings, giving up just three hits and one run while striking out five. Sirrine came in to clean up the final two innings. Conneaut’s starter, Lexi Brown, took the loss, allowing 20 hits and 19 runs (18 earned).

Jefferson’s bats were on fire—20 hits total. Hill led the way with five RBIs and a 3-for-4 day. Alaina Barress set the tone at the top, going 4-for-5. Sirrine, Rylee Demattia, Kennidie Rogers, and Matuz all had multi-hit games, and the Falcons ran wild on the bases with eight steals.

For Conneaut, Drew led with a homer and two RBIs. Grace Todaro, Chloe Boyle, Brown, and Ella Boroski each chipped in a hit. Defensively, the Spartans stayed sharp with a double play and no errors. Jefferson heads to Grand Valley on Tuesday for their next matchup.