PREP PREVIEW State softball

Who: Boardman (27-4) vs. Cincinnati Sycamore (16-10)What: Division I state semifinal.When: Thursday, 3 p.m.Where: Brookside Park, Ashland.Other semifinal: Elyria (25-4) vs. Hamilton (21-7).At stake: Berth in the state title game Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Ashland.Boardman notebook: The Spartans are attempting to win their second straight state title. They beat Hamilton 4-1 last season for the school's first state title in any team sport. It came one year after they lost to Hilliard Darby 3-1 in the championship game. Injuries have been a factor this week for Boardman, affecting second baseman Jaclyn Corroto (calf), catcher Meagan Cunningham (thigh), pitcher Ashley DiDomenico (knee) and shortstop Mary McCabe (elbow). However, coach Bill Amero said he doesn't anticipate any of them missing Thursday's game. Leading the Spartans' offense are senior Gina Rango (.400), Corroto (.390), McCabe (.377), Jennifer Pancake (.372) and Laura Amero (.343). Pancake has a 15-2 record with a 0.52 ERA.Boardman probable lineup: Sophomore Jaclyn Corroto, 2B; senior Laura Amero, CF; junior Jennifer Pancake, P; senior Gina Rango, 3B; junior Jennifer Feret, 1B; senior Mary McCabe, SS; sophomore Meagan Cunningham, C; sophomore Krysta Sylvester, LF; junior Audrey Martinko, RF.The coach says: "We're excited. We know it's taken hard work to get back here again. The girls seem to be calm and relaxed. The last two games we've had to come from behind. We're a fairly confident team anyhow, but it helps knowing you could get yourself in a situation and battle out of it." -- Bill Amero.Sycamore notebook: The Aviators are making their first trip to the state tournament. In fact, they hadn't reached a regional final before this season. Sycamore began the season 4-9, but it has gone 12-1 in its last 13 games. Batting above .300 are senior catcher Katie Luning (.338), senior shortstop Emily Futscher (.333) and sophomore third baseman Katie Conner (.319). Futscher has committed to Ohio University. The Aviators are members of the Greater Miami Conference.Sycamore probable lineup: Junior Erin Mullen, CF; senior Lauren Tepe, LF; senior Emily Futscher, SS; senior Katie Luning, C; sophomore Katie Conner, 3B; junior Aimee Woodrum, P; junior Laurie Domas, 2B; junior Amy Broadus, 1B; sophomore Lindsey Fohlen, RF.The coach says: "Every game in the tournament, a different person has come up big in clutch situations. There's not one person who has done it for us, not one thing that has been key for us. Literally, it's been a team effort. We've got nothing to lose. If we lose, we have gone the furthest we've ever gone before. If we win, we play for the state championship. What is better than that?" -- Debbie Klemt.If you go: Brookside Park is located west of downtown Ashland off of west Main Street. Take the state Route 250 exit off of I-71 and follow west through downtown Ashland. Turn right (north) onto Parkside drive to reach the park. Tickets cost $6 per game and may be purchased at the gate.
Who: Boardman (27-4) vs. Cincinnati Sycamore (16-10)What: Division I state semifinal.When: Thursday, 3 p.m.Where: Brookside Park, Ashland.Other semifinal: Elyria (25-4) vs. Hamilton (21-7).At stake: Berth in the state title game Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Ashland.Boardman notebook: The Spartans are attempting to win their second straight state title. They beat Hamilton 4-1 last season for the school's first state title in any team sport. It came one year after they lost to Hilliard Darby 3-1 in the championship game. Injuries have been a factor this week for Boardman, affecting second baseman Jaclyn Corroto (calf), catcher Meagan Cunningham (thigh), pitcher Ashley DiDomenico (knee) and shortstop Mary McCabe (elbow). However, coach Bill Amero said he doesn't anticipate any of them missing Thursday's game. Leading the Spartans' offense are senior Gina Rango (.400), Corroto (.390), McCabe (.377), Jennifer Pancake (.372) and Laura Amero (.343). Pancake has a 15-2 record with a 0.52 ERA.Boardman probable lineup: Sophomore Jaclyn Corroto, 2B; senior Laura Amero, CF; junior Jennifer Pancake, P; senior Gina Rango, 3B; junior Jennifer Feret, 1B; senior Mary McCabe, SS; sophomore Meagan Cunningham, C; sophomore Krysta Sylvester, LF; junior Audrey Martinko, RF.The coach says: "We're excited. We know it's taken hard work to get back here again. The girls seem to be calm and relaxed. The last two games we've had to come from behind. We're a fairly confident team anyhow, but it helps knowing you could get yourself in a situation and battle out of it." -- Bill Amero.Sycamore notebook: The Aviators are making their first trip to the state tournament. In fact, they hadn't reached a regional final before this season. Sycamore began the season 4-9, but it has gone 12-1 in its last 13 games. Batting above .300 are senior catcher Katie Luning (.338), senior shortstop Emily Futscher (.333) and sophomore third baseman Katie Conner (.319). Futscher has committed to Ohio University. The Aviators are members of the Greater Miami Conference.Sycamore probable lineup: Junior Erin Mullen, CF; senior Lauren Tepe, LF; senior Emily Futscher, SS; senior Katie Luning, C; sophomore Katie Conner, 3B; junior Aimee Woodrum, P; junior Laurie Domas, 2B; junior Amy Broadus, 1B; sophomore Lindsey Fohlen, RF.The coach says: "Every game in the tournament, a different person has come up big in clutch situations. There's not one person who has done it for us, not one thing that has been key for us. Literally, it's been a team effort. We've got nothing to lose. If we lose, we have gone the furthest we've ever gone before. If we win, we play for the state championship. What is better than that?" -- Debbie Klemt.If you go: Brookside Park is located west of downtown Ashland off of west Main Street. Take the state Route 250 exit off of I-71 and follow west through downtown Ashland. Turn right (north) onto Parkside drive to reach the park. Tickets cost $6 per game and may be purchased at the gate.