PREP PREVIEW | Regional softball
DIVISION I
Who: Boardman (24-4) vs. Massillon Jackson (20-3).
When: Thursday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Buchtel Field, University of Akron.
How to get there: Take I-76 west to state Route 8 north. Take Buchtel Avenue exit and proceed two blocks. Turn left onto Buchtel Avenue and go four blocks, passing Rhodes Arena. At the light past the arena, turn left and proceed to next light. Go straight one more block and turn right. Entrance to field is on the left.
Boardman scouting report: In last week's final state poll, Coach Bill Amero's Spartans were ranked by Ohio coaches as the best team in the state. In district play, the Spartans walloped Berea 13-1 and edged Euclid, 2-1. Junior Jennifer Pancake (13-2) will be on the mound as the Spartans go after their third straight regional title. Anchoring the defense for the defending state champions are seniors Gina Rango at third base and Mary McCabe at shortstop. The rest of the infield has junior Jennifer Feret at first base and sophomore Jaclyn Corroto at second. Senior Lauro Amero plays center field while junior Audrey Martinko is in right and sophomore Krsyta Sylvester is in left. If junior Meghan Hovanic is unable to catch because of a broken finger, sophomore Meagan Cunningham will be behind the plate.
Massillon Jackson scouting report: The Polar Bears needed 10 innings to upset top-seeded Perry in the Massillon district final. The Polar Bears also upset North Canton Hoover, 7-6 in nine innings in the district semifinals. In 2000 and 2001, Boardman defeated Hoover in regional play. Kelly Weaver will pitch for Jackson. Hitters to watch out for are Lolly Hmiel, Carrie Weaver and Kristen McGaughey.
Common opponent: Both teams played Poland in the regular season. Boardman won 1-0 in extra innings while Poland defeated Jackson by a similar score.
Next: The Boardman-Massillon Jackson winner will play the winner of today's game between Madison (27-2) and Medina (17-8).
DIVISION III
Who: Ursuline (12-12) vs. St. Aquinas (15-6).
When: Thursday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Genshaft Park, Massillon.
How to get there: Take state Route 62 from Canfield through Alliance and Canton to state Route 21. Go north on Route 21 to the Erie Street exit. Turn right on Erie Street. Park is on the right.
Ursuline scouting report: The Irish defeated Champion, 7-6, to win the Orwell district. In the semifinals, Ursuline defeated Grand Valley, 3-1. Leading the Irish is freshman pitcher Maureen Cearfoss (11-12). Her catcher is Ali Vitello. The infield has Jenna Vrable at first base, Leah Cessna at second, Staci Ziobert at shortstop and Meghan Marenkovic at shortstop. The outfield has Shawn Iman in left, Shaina Drummond in center and Brittani Shonce in right. Megan Colon is the designated hitter for Cessna.
St. Thomas scouting report: The Knights needed eight innings to defeat South Range to win the North Lima district. Pitcher Natalie Barone tossed the shutout. In the semifinal game, Aquinas squeaked past Newton Falls, 2-1. Lisa Klauka's RBI triple won the game for Aquinas.
Next: The winner will play either Peninsula Woodridge (15-10) or LaGrange Keystone (22-3) for the regional title.