Dads, family, coaches given the credit

Players' memories focus on nuturing from those closest to them.
JENNIFER PANCAKE
School/grade: Boardman, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-Steel Valley Conference and first team All-State. All-Star team at the Hubbard tournament. As a pitcher, went 21-2 with a .386 earned-run average. Pitched 145 innings, with 118 strikeouts, eight walks and eight earned runs allowed. Batted .393 with 42 hits, 23 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .431. Lettered all four years; was captain the last two. Team was Steel Valley Conference champs, sectional champs and district runner-up.
Positive influence: My whole family. All of them are great supporters. They are behind me 100 percent when I play. If it weren't for my sister and brothers starting their softball and baseball career, I wouldn't have started playing. My dad helps me with pitching. He lets me know what I am doing wrong. My mom has always been at my games cheering me on. I love them all. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have made it this far.
Best memory: When we played Poland. We were tied until the last inning when we got the bases loaded and Jennifer Feret hit a grand slam home run and won the game. It was a good game. Both teams played very well. It was one of the hardest games we've played. Poland always gives us a big fight.
ANGELA ARMSTRONG
School/grade: Chaney, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .390. Four-year starter at shortstop. Team captain. Three-year first team All-City selection. Team was sectional champs two straight years.
Positive influence: Mike Dorbish, my coach at Mill Creek when I was 10, 11 and 12. He was the type of coach who really cared and who made sure we learned the proper way to play the game. He was the reason I started playing fastpitch and a major part of making me the player I am today.
Best memory: Starting the season with a 5-0 record and ending with the best overall record in Chaney softball at 15-8.
Surprised to learn: I have been a three-sport athlete during my high school years and have taken tap and jazz since age 3.
MIKAH BERGER
School/grade: Western Reserve, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-Inter County League. Was 10-5 with a .68 earned-run average. Allowed just eight earned runs. Averaged more than one strikeout an inning.
Positive influence: My dad has always been a positive influence toward my athletic career because he has practiced with me for as long as I can remember. He never hesitated to catch for me and was willing to put in a lot of time.
Best memory: Winning the ICL was by far the best memory of this season. My other good memories include all of our huddles before every game, and just getting to enjoy my last year with the other six seniors!
Surprised to learn: I am going into a business major at The Ohio State University this fall.
JESSICA CARPENTER
School/grade: Champion, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: First team all TAC-8; second team all-district; won NSA and ASA state tournaments with Akron Illusion; batted .316 with no strikeouts in 79 at bats; fielded .994 percent.
Positive influence: My dad. He encouraged me to play softball at an early age. He was also my coach for nine years.
Best memory: Hitting a home run over the fence in the bottom of the seventh with two outs to beat Garfield.
Surprised to learn: I play guitar.
MAUREEN CEARFOSS
School/grade: Ursuline, sophomore.
Statistics/accomplishments: Allowed just two earned runs in four tournament games as the Irish returned to the regional. Compiled a 20-11 record in 188 innings, with a 1.75 earned-run average. Batted .317, with 26 hits and 14 RBIs.
Positive influence: Ali Vitello. I always looked up to her. When I was a freshman, she stood out because of her skills, and I always trusted her calls behind the plate.
Best memory: Beating Mooney twice, especially the second time, winning by seven.
Surprised to learn: My favorite animal has been the elephant ever since I did a report on it in the second grade.
ADRIANNE DETESCO
School/grade: Cardinal Mooney, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: All-Steel Valley Conference selection junior and senior years. Lettered all four years.
Positive influence: My coach, Mark Rinehart, is a coach I will never forget. He taught me a lot about teamwork and discipline, and he gave me a great four years of softball. He was also a coach I could go to when I needed someone to listen to me or ever needed to vent to. He was always there.
Best memory: When we beat Chaney to advance into the district championship game with Poland. It was the furthest any Mooney team has advanced to.
Surprised to learn: If I didn't play any sports, I would do cheerleading!
KRISTINA FERENAC
School/grade: Howland, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .464. Led the team in on-base percentage (.553), slugging percentage (.739) and RBIs (23). Broke school record for doubles (15). Made first team All-Metro Athletic Conference. Team was district champion.
Positive influence: Edith Brown. She was my first fastpitch coach when I was 9 years old, and she coached me until I went to high school. And even though she wasn't my coach anymore, she was still at the game giving me pointers and tips throughout my whole career. I am the player I am because of her !
Best memory: Beating the No. 1-ranked team in the state, Boardman, for Howland's first-ever district title.
JENNIFER FERET
School/grade: Boardman, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .363, with four home runs and 27 RBIs. Recorded 276 put-outs at first base, with 12 assists and no errors. First team All-Steel Valley Conference.
Positive influence: My parents. They have always been there to support me in everything that I do. My dad has also taught me almost everything I know about the game and my mom has always kept flawless stats. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
Best memory: In the bottom of the seventh, we were tied with Poland 1-1. Then I hit a walk-off grand slam over the center-field fence to end the game. The depressing part is that I chose to stay at the game and finish it out, rather than trying to make my very last band concert ever!
Surprised to learn: Ironically, I didn't start playing first base until my freshman year. I continued starting there all four years of high school, even though I was recruited by Mercyhurst as a shortstop and pitcher. I've played these two positions since I started playing ball and can't wait to continue playing them in college! I am also going to Mercyhurst to play volleyball. I was a four-year varsity starter in high school volleyball.
KAILI GEHRING
School/grade: Mineral Ridge, sophomore.
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-Inter-County League and first team Northeast Ohio District. Batted .384 and, as a pitcher, recorded 208 strikeouts. Won the Mineral Ridge pitching award. Participated in the All-Ohio Underclassmen Invitational tournament. Ranked in hits, RBIs and triples.
Positive influence: Bill Croft and his assistants for spending so much time helping me to get where I am today, and my parents for their unwavering support and confidence in me.
Best memory: The night we won at Western Reserve because I pitched one of my better games and our team was playing and hitting amazingly.
Surprised to learn: Most people wouldn't know that I have a serious side and want to become a pediatrician.
STEVIE GOIST
School/grade: Columbiana, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .384, with a .712 on-base percentage and 28 hits, 25 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and 32 runs scored. Also had a .989 fielding percentage and a 12-3 pitching record, with a .57 earned-run average, 105 strikeouts and nine walks. Holds 15 total school records. First team Tri-County League and second team All-District.
Positive influence: My parents because they have always been extremely supportive and have encouraged me to be the best that I can be. Bill Stanfield, my pitching coach, because he has put in hundreds of hours of his time to work with me and has also been very supportive in everything I have done. He is always very positive and I can't thank him enough for all that he's done.
Best memory: Winning a share of the TCL championship for the second straight year, defeating Crestview to be named sectional champs and defeating Jackson-Milton while Coach Wilkinson earned her 200th win.
Surprised to learn: I am going to attend Wheeling Jesuit University with scholarships to play both basketball and softball. I am one of six children and I didn't start playing softball until I was 13. I started pitching when I was almost 14. Prior to that, I played baseball and was the only girl on the team.
STEFFI GRAF
School/grade: Poland, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .426, with 40 hits, including 10 doubles. Had a .532 on-base percentage, with 30 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. First team All-Metro Athletic Conference and second team All-Northeast Ohio.
Positive influence: My family. They are always there to support me and are always willing to make time to practice with me in any sport.
Best memory: Beating Canfield to win the MAC outright. Going to Myrtle Beach for our spring break trip. Winning districts and going back to regionals. All the fun times with my teammates.
CARA HARDENBROOK
School/grade: Columbiana, sophomore.
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-Tri-County League catcher the past two years. First team All-Northeast Inland District catcher the last two years. Batted .486, with a .653 slugging percentage, .764 on-base percentage, with 35 hits and 21 RBIs. Had .926 fielding percentage.
Positive influence: My coach since seventh grade, Erin Heasley. She has taught me I can do anything I set my mind and heart to.
Best memory: Breaking the record for most wins as a team in a season (20) and being the first team since 1989 to make it to the district semifinals.
Surprised to learn: In addition to my high academic standards and athletics, I find time and enjoy volunteering for a number of groups, such as my church, special needs children, the elderly and Easter Seals.
JESSICA LAMPORT
School/grade: Poland, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Went 14-3 with 0.68 ERA, 128 strikeouts and 18 walks; first team all-MAC and second team all-district; batted .333 with .971 fielding percentage.
Positive influence: My father because he has been my coach ever since I started playing and he taught me everything I know.
Best memory: Going to state my sophomore year. Even though we lost 1-0 in 11 innings, it's something I will never forget.
Surprised to learn: I am a pastor's daughter.
BARBIE LEWIS
School/grade: Howland, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Howland set a team record with a 19-5 season. Pitching record was 18-5 for Howland's first district championship team. A two-year letter-winner, she was a WYTV Channel 33 Student Athlete of the Week and holds the school record for most assists (56). Voted her team's MVP, she struck out 139 batters, had a 1.02 earned-run average and was voted first-team all-Metro Athletic Conference.
Positive influence: My father has had the most influence. Besides being my number-one fan, he has put in just as much effort and hours as I have. He has been my coach for seven years and is always there to catch me when I want to practice. He even fixed up Howland's ballfield for us.
Best memory: My best memory is winning the district title with the same girls behind me that I played with when I was young, especially the seniors. We beat the number-one ranked team in the state to become district champions.
Surprised to learn: I love to write and I wrote a poem for the team this season. Also when I don't wear number 13, I wear 12 because I met country singer Trisha Yearwood. She wore 12 when she pitched in high school.
AUDREY MARTINKO
School/grade: Boardman, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: A team captain, she batted .396 with 38 hits and 26 runs scored. A three-year starter in the outfield, she was voted first team all-Steel Valley Conference and first team all-district.
Positive influence: My parents and entire family have supported me in all that I have done and always pushed me to succeed to my highest potential. Also, [Bill] Amero has been my coach since I was 9 years old and has taught me everything there is to know about softball.
Best memory: My best memories are winning the Steel Valley Conference title in Boardman's last year in the conference and the fun away trips we took to Ashland and Pickerington. I love the girls on my team.
Surprised to learn: I will be attending Ohio state in the fall to major in Italian/Spanish education.
KATIE NAUMOFF
School/grade: Poland, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .478, with 43 hits. First team All-Metro Athletic Conference the last three years; first team All-Northeast Ohio the last two years; first team All-State. No. 13 Award.
Positive influence: My parents have been my No. 1 fans, supporting me and influencing my work both on the field and in the classroom. They continually make sacrifices to be there for me and I have learned a lot through their actions. Coach Lamport was a special influence because of his belief in the team and determination to bring out the best in everyone. I've learned a lot through him and his commitment to success, and his amazing pep talks are unforgettable. Coach Coz always had a special way to provide comic relief. Also, my coaches, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Naymick and Kenny Miller have always willingly offered their time and help along the way, and I thank them for that.
Best memory: There are so many great memories with the team both on and off the field. Myrtle Beach was simply unforgettable. Senior Night was very memorable, beating Canfield for the MAC title when many underestimated us. The tournament trail and Wendy's experiences are one of a kind and top off the many memories we made this year.
Surprised to learn: I played ice hockey and roller hockey for years, always being the only girl on the team. Ice hockey had always been my favorite sport, and I had always wanted to play it in college.
KATIE OLIVE
School/grade: Mineral Ridge, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Batted .549 with a .711 on base percentage, six homers and 27 RBIs; first team all-Ohio, all district and all-ICL.
Positive influence: My father. He has taught me everything I know. He has always been there to tell me what I was doing wrong and how to correct it. Both of my parents have given me encouragement and support. My dad helps me to keep my skills up.
Best memory: Being the first person in school history to hit a home run over the fence at our home field.
DARCY QUINLAN
School/grade: Howland, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-Metro Athletic Conference.
Positive influence: My parents because they have always pushed me to be my best.
Best memory: Beating Boardman in the district final.
Surprised to learn: I'm attending Ohio University this summer to take summer classes.
TIFFANY PALUMBO
School/grade: Western Reserve, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: First team All-Inter-County League. Had fielding and stolen base percentages of 1.000.
Positive influence: Tom Shugart, our assistant softball coach, was a huge influence this year. He gave me the extra help to get back after missing my entire junior year of softball due to a knee injury. He also helped me get my confidence back up.
Best memory: Winning the Inter-County League.
Surprised to learn: Art was my favorite subject, and I'm going to major in graphic design at the University of Akron. Most people would be surprised to learn that I was the pitcher for George Naples' fourth-grade, 1995 championship team in Canfield.
MEGAN TUROCY
School/grade: Canfield High, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Three-year varsity starter, two-year team captain, two-year first-team all-Metro Athletic Conference selection. She set school records with 10 shuouts and 197 strikeouts. Her opponents' batting average against her was .146 and herearned-run average was 0.76.
Positive influence: My parents -- Frank and Marcia Turocy -- have always been there for me to offer encouragement and support.
Best memory: Our team sleepovers and the bonding they created are my best memories.
Surprised to learn: I am excited to be a business honors student at Ohio State University in September, which means my softball career is essentially over.
COREY VELK
School/grade: Jackson-Milton, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Set school's wins records for single season (21) and career (53). Named to the first team Inter-County League. Had a .419 batting average and 1.30 earned-run average.
Positive influence: My dad was our coach from when we were 5, up until high school started. He's taught me everything I know and has always been there to cheer us on and help us out. Also learned the basics of pitching from Pat Craiglow.
Best memory: Our catcher, Kay Bruss, would have to find at least three four-leaf clovers before every game. If not, she couldn't come in the dugout. Yes, our team was a little bit superstitious.
Surprised to learn: I can juggle better than a circus clown.
ALYSSA VITELLO
School/grade: Ursuline, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: First team all-district, all-SVC.
Positive influence: My teammates. I was the only senior on my team and it put a lot of responsibility in my hands. Our team as a whole got along very well. We were all close friends and that helped me very much.
Best memory: Winning the district championship. We won districts last year but it was sort of a shock to us then and we hadn't expected to get that far. This year we had more to work for in order to hold our previous title.
Surprised to learn: I will be attending Ohio State University in the fall where I will study dentistry.
STEPHANIE WEAVER
School/grade: Champion, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: Recorded a 0.71 earned-run average and .962 fielding average. Named an All-Trumbull Athletic Conference pitcher. In four years as a pitcher, totaled 353 innings, 380 strikeouts and a 1.57 ERA.
Positive influence: My mom.
Best memory: All season -- just knowing this was my last year to play with my friends.
AMANDA WILLIAMS
School/grade: Canfield, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: A three-year varsity player, she was voted first team all-Metro Athletic Conference outfielder as a junior and a senior. A Cardinals team captain, she was second on the team in hits and runs scored in MAC games. Canfield's lead-off batter for two years, she led the team with six sacrifice bunts and was fourth overall in hits and RBIs.
Positive influence: My father has been my most positive influence throughout my athletic career. He taught me the game of softball and he coached almost every Little League team I played for until I reached high school. Without his guidance and encouragement, I would not have been a varsity athlete and I would not have accomplished as much as a person.
Best memory: Beating Poland for the first time in three years and having the opportunity to play for the league title.
Surprised to learn: I was very active in my high school drama department, holding lead roles in the fall play and spring musical. I also graduated with a 3.93 grade-point average and was awarded Canfield's National Honor Society Leadership in Service Award for the Class of 2003.
COACH OF THE YEAR
BRIAN EARICH
School: Howland.
Statistics/accomplishments: Team went 19-5 overall, 8-2 in the Metro Athletic Conference for second place. Qualified six players to the MAC's first team. Team set or tied four school records. Its 19 wins tied the school's single-season mark.
Positive influence: My father. Being a former member of the Chicago Cubs organization, he taught me that while most see a ball being hit and a player running the bases, so much more was going on. My father was hard on me to learn the entire game and I am very blessed. To this day he never misses a game. He will call me after each game and discuss in-game events. He is more than a parent. He is a great man who shared his wealth of knowledge with his son. I am more than blessed. Thanks so much, Dad!
Best memory: The district title game against Boardman. We had to play a perfect game. We had to get breaks and be in the right place at the right time. We did exactly that. But for me, the greatest of that moment was being able to watch one of the best group of ladies I have ever had the opportunity to coach, share a dream. Yes, for where else to win a game like that than the Fields of Dreams!
Surprised to learn: My father's father is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton and is in the Ohio University Hall of Fame in Athens, where he earned varsity letters in five different sports. He was voted Mr. Track in Ohio and was a close friend of the late Jesse Owens. He was the head official for many years at the most prestigious track meets in the state. Finally, he is the man for which the "Sim Earich Cross Country Invitational" is named.