HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL Boardman's Feret eyes fourth trip to state meet

She's been on three straight state tournament teams, winning in 2001.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Most high school softball players dream of playing on a team that qualifies for state.
Some are lucky enough to take the field for teams that repeat.
Much rarer are those gifted enough to make three appearances in the final four.
Meet Boardman senior Jennifer Feret, a gem of a player who has the chance to do what so few have accomplished on the diamond -- start for a state softball team all four years of her varsity career.
"I love my teammates. Softball is the best thing that I ever could have done in high school," said Feret, who also was a four-year varsity player for Boardman's volleyball team.
"I don't think these girls actually realize how much I love them and love playing ball with them," Feret said. "[Some of us have] played summer ball and regular season ball since way back when we were 10. A lot of us have been together forever."
As a freshman, Feret was a member of the Spartans team that advanced to the Division I state title game, where they lost to Hilliard Darby.
Lone title season
A year later, the Spartans again reached the title game, this time winning the championship over Hamilton, 4-1.
Last June, Boardman won its third consecutive regional title for a trip to Ashland. The Spartans lost their semifinal game in extra innings to Cincinnati Sycamore.
"It would be awesome to go four years to state," said Feret, who is a member of National Honor Society, has a 3.65 grade-point average and is a member of the Boardman High band. "Words can't describe how awesome I really think that it [would be]."
The Spartans (15-1) are ranked first in the state in the most recent coaches poll. Their only loss came Saturday in Ashland at the Wendy's Classic, 3-2 to Oak Park, Ill.
Part of Boardman's success is due to senior leadership from Feret, pitcher Jennifer Pancake, outfielder Audrey Martinko and catcher Meghan Hovanic.
Four-year starter
A four-year varsity letter winner, Feret shares the school record for starting in state semifinal and final games -- five -- with Gina Rango, Mary McCabe and Laura Amero. Those three have graduated to college programs.
"She's tough," said Pancake of Feret, now a first baseman who was a middle infielder until her first high school season. "She came out freshman year not knowing how to play [the position] and she's shown she can do it. She played her heart out. She's got an awesome bat, too, so she's an all-around great ball player."
Three years ago, Boardman coach Bill Amero knew, as good as he felt Feret was, he knew he didn't have a spot for her on the left side of the infield.
Hello, first base.
"Pitcher and short, that's what I grew up playing," Feret said. "My initial reaction was 'OK, I've played everything except first base and catcher, so if I'm going to start varsity, sure.' It kind of came to me after a lot of practice."
Feret said it didn't take her long to realize that there was more to the position than standing around waiting for the ball to be thrown her way.
Enjoys playing first
"I actually enjoy first base a lot now -- it's definitely one of my favorite positions," Feret said. "I learned a lot, and it's exciting learning every position, knowing how other positions work."
Feret, who continues to play shortstop during summer league play, said the hardest adjustment to make was playing so much closer to home plate.
"Your reaction time has to be a lot quicker," she said, adding that a good first baseman has to be ready to scoop up low throws and "being ready for the throws to go anywhere.
"Bunt coverage is different, too -- it's pretty much opposite of [what a] shortstop [does]."
After graduation, Feret wants to continue her athletic career and is looking for college coaches who will let her play both volleyball and softball.
"Right now, the pick is between Mercyhurst and Malone, but I'm definitely leaning towards Mercyhurst," Feret said. "I want to try and play both volleyball and softball. If not, I'll probably just play softball. Softball is definitely number one."
Started playing at six
Feret's softball career began in the Boardman community league when she was 6. Her volleyball career began in seventh grade.
The same three years that the Spartans won Steel Valley Conference softball crowns saw the Boardman volleyball team watch Austintown Fitch dominate in volleyball.
That changed last fall.
"Beating Fitch, oh gee. Ever since my freshman year, I always heard, 'Fitch, Fitch -- that's the team to beat,' " Feret said. "Every year, we became so much better and we had worked so hard.
"My senior year, we [finally] had the team," said Feret, citing the contributions of classmates Jen Hlebovy and Lauren Craig. "We played together four years and I think that helped a lot, knowing how each other played."
Should the Spartans return to Ashland, it will come three days before Boardman's Class of 2003 graduates. What a way that would be to end a fine athletic career.
Feret said the thought of leaving Boardman High makes her sad.
"You know you're going to move on to bigger and better things, but I will miss my teammates."
williams@vindy.com