Tag Archive for: RAIDERS

SOUTH RANGE VOLLEYBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH TJ IRONS

/in /by

CANFIELD OH- South Range volleyball has a lot of excitement building in their program. This a season that can build a legacy for long lasting success. The Raiders feature a rare mix of proven, tested, and solid leadership from their senior class and young hungry talent that’s ready to compete right now.  For the first time in a couple of seasons you can feel the energy in the Raiders gym for volleyball.  Head coach TJ Irons continues his return to the sport with another year at the helm. With a dedicated and knowledgeable coaching staff behind him, he has the tools to mold this Raider team into a serious contender.

Coach Irons was able to take the time to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to talk about the upcoming season. They discuss the energy of the roster, building team chemistry from freshman to seniors, and so much more. Check out episode 1 of Coach’s Corner With TJ Irons only on YSN!

Presented By:

LUKLAN GOES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM FOR HER STUDENTS

/in /by

CANFIELD OH- If you’ve been around South Range athletics in the last five years there’s a good bet you’ve seen Kalie Luklan in the stands, or even on the bench.  Kalie has proven just how much one of these strong high school communities like South Range can make you feel at home.  She has relayed that to her student athletes, and now students in her gym ten times over as Luklan goes the extra mile to make sure the students she works with feel supported.

Luklan did not start out as a teacher at South Range. Her journey began as a junior high coach. It was set into motion by former boys basketball coach John Cullen who Kalie knew from her time at Canfield. Cullen saw something in Kalie that told him that she would be an excellent coach. What can you say? Coach Cullen’s intuition hit the nail on the head. Luklan quickly became a coach that every varsity coach seemed to want on their staff. Whether it was girls basketball, volleyball, or even some track Luklan got her hands on it all, and made impressions with everyone she worked with. Now that South Range had the hooks in her, she went on to become an even bigger member of the family accepting a faculty job at the school.

As a teacher and a coach Luklan proves to her students that she cares about them way after they leave her gym.  Whether it’s going to their sporting events, checking out their school plays, or coaching them in their sport, Kalie has a way of naming kids feel special.  That has become evermore important as students deal with the stress that comes with being a kid, which seems to be more complicated every year.

Luklan took the time to come on an interview with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to talk about why supporting her kids is so important. They talk about her journey to South Range, some of her favorite sports memories, and so much more. Check out this exclusive interview only on YSN!

Presented By:

BUILDING A SOUTH RANGE STANDARD

/in /by

CANFIELD OH- As South Range softball makes their program’s third trip to state, we wanted to reflect a little bit on the team that rose the bar for the program. The current success of the program turned in 2010. That season South Range won their first district championship since 2001.  That team got to the regional finals before losing, the next year’s team won another district before falling to eventual state champion, Champion. The bar was set though. Between 2010-2016 the Raiders won 4 district championships. They kept knocking at the door to state, and in 2016 the Raiders finally kicked the door down.  After their programs first regional championship, the Raiders won their state semifinal in dominating fashion. They may have dropped the final game of the season, but the standard for the program had already been set. The community got a taste for that kind of success and they hit the ground running.

Caragyn Yanek, now Caragyn Young dazzled in the circle for South Range through that run in 2016.  Caragyn followed two older sisters in the South Range program that showed her exactly how it was done.  That Raider team gathered up 30 wins on the season and Caragyn was a big reason why.  Now she still has her handprints in the program. She coaches players around the area, including Raiders current ace Juli Stachowicz as well as Samantha Susany.  She sees a lot of similarities between her team and this one. Caragyn and her team set the tone, and now the Raiders are answering the call.

Caragyn took time out of her day to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig about her team in 2016, and what she’s seeing out of this team now. They discuss what makes the Raiders team so consistently good, how proud the current success makes her to be a Raider, and so much more. Check out this exclusive interview with one of South Range softball’s legends of the past only on YSN!

Presented By:

RAIDERS TAKING ANOTHER CRACK AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT

/in /by

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.

LAKEVIEW CONTINUES THEIR HISTORIC SEASON

/in /by

By Matt Morrison


STRUTHERS, OHIO- The Lakeview Bulldogs cruised to a 11-3 victory over the Garfield G-men to claim a Division III District Championship. This marks Lakeview baseball’s first district championship as a program.

After trailing 2-0, the Bulldogs jumped into the lead for good when they scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning.

The Bulldogs were led by Tyler Capan, who went 3 for 4 at the plate. Andrew Brown was the winning pitcher of the day as he allowed 3 runs, 3 hits, and had 3 strikeouts through four innings of work.

Vinnie Grandizio and Leo Grandizio led things at the plate for the G-Men as they both had multiple hits in the losing effort.

Vinnie Grandizio was the losing pitcher of the day as he allowed 8 hits, 8 runs, and 1 strikeout.


Lakeview will now advance to the Regional Semifinal where they will take on South Range. That game is scheduled for June 1st at Massillon Washington High School. First pitch is set for 2:00. 

RAIDERS WALK IT OFF TO SECURE THE TROPHY

/in /by

By Michael Wolfgang


Some late game heroics is what it took for South Range to top United Wednesday night in a 4-3 thriller. South Range found themselves in many different types of games throughout the season which gave them a sense of poise to come from behind against United.

The Raiders trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the eighth where they put together their rally to walk it off, headlined by the Billy Skripac game winning single to bring in the winning run.

Skripac got things done with his arm as well as he pitched three innings, striking out six batters and giving up three runs on three hits. Logan Baxter took over the final four innings in relief work to get the final 12 outs and kept United off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Shane Lindstrom carried the hot stick for the South Range offense as he went two-for-four at the plate, leading the Raiders lineup in hits. South Range did commit one error in the field defensively, but the four runs on four hits was just enough to come from behind and squeeze one out against United.

South Range advances to the regional semifinals and will get a third shot at NE8 champion Lakeview. That game is slated for Thursday June 1st at 2:00 at Massillon Washington High School.

AEY’S SLAM MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR SOUTH RANGE

/in /by

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.

THE FERENS BUILD A FAMILY CULTURE

/in /by

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!

Presented By:

SOUTH RANGE SURVIVES SCRAPPY FLASHES

/in /by

By Michael Wolfgang

NILES, OHIO – A four run bottom of the fourth inning is what ultimately propelled South Range to a 6-4 victory over Champion in the district semifinals Monday evening.

The electric and explosive inning for South Range was put together by committee. Things got started when Gaven Nagy reached on a walk that scored a run, a single by Shane Lindstrom brought another runner home, and Nick Plunkett chipped in with his own RBI single.

Plunkett finished the game leading his team in hits with two in his three at bats. Hunter Haines led the Champion offense with two hits. Haines pitched for Champion and took the loss in his four inning outing. Tyson Tarajack took home the win in the pitchers matchup.

Tarajack gave his team seven good innings as he allowed four Champion runs on five hits while fanning seven batters. 

IRISH FIND MOMENTUM HEADING INTO DISTRICTS

/in /by

STRUTHERS OH- Ursuline took the lead late in the game in a 5-2 victory over South Range on Friday. The game was tied at two with Ursuline Varsity Irish batting in the bottom of the fifth when CJ Frasco doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run.

The Irish got on the board in the first inning. Dylan Casey grounded out, scoring one run.

Nick Bako led Ursuline to victory on the hill. Bako went four innings, allowing zero runs on one hit and striking out five. Joe Balog and Anthony Triveri entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.

Konnor Brogan toed the rubber for South Range. Brogan lasted two innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out two. Logan Baxter and Shaun Updegraff entered the game from the bullpen, throwing two innings and two innings respectively.

Luca Ricchiuti led the Irish with three hits in three at bats.

The Raiders didn’t commit a single error in the field. Will Gehring had seven chances in the field, the most on the team.