Feret's walk-off slam lifts Spartans over backyard rival

Boardman rallied in the seventh inning for a 5-1 win over Poland.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- After getting picked off at third base to end her team's best scoring threat against a state-ranked opponent, Boardman High senior Jennifer Feret was looking for redemption.
She found it in the bottom of the seventh inning, sending a 2-0 pitch from Poland ace Jessica Lamport over the center field fence for a game-ending grand slam that gave the Spartans a 5-1 victory Thursday at Fields of Dreams.
"I was really mad at myself because I felt I really blew it at third," said Feret, who was caught off the bag in the sixth inning by Poland catcher Stephanie Russell, who fired a strike to third baseman Jessie Modic.
Boardman (21-1), the No. 1-ranked team in this week's Division I coaches poll, stranded nine runners on base against Lamport (10-3) in the first six innings.
Martinko triples
But the momentum shifted in the bottom of the seventh when leadoff batter Audrey Martinko lined a triple to center for the Steel Valley Conference champions.
"That leadoff triple was the hit that hurt us," Poland coach Reid Lamport said. Feret agreed. "Martinko's hit completely opened up the ballgame," she said. "It was huge.
Jennifer Pancake reached base on an infield error, scoring Martinko with the tying run.
The next batter, Megan Cunningham, hit a line drive that smacked Lamport on the thigh. Despite a stinging pain, the Poland senior remained on the mound.
Jenna Brandenstein singled to load the bases, bringing up Feret.
"With nobody out, I was in a good position," Feret said. "I honestly didn't feel any pressure because I had good people coming up behind me."
Pitchers duel
After five scoreless innings, the Bulldogs (18-5), ranked sixth in the Div. II poll, broke through. Cierra Urichich singled, then pinch runner Amanda Reardon beat the throw to second on Lamport's bunt, prompting Boardman coach Bill Amero to lift sophomore starter Ashley DiDomenico for Pancake (16-1).
Following a fielder's choice, Lamport reached third on Stephanie Russell's single, then scored on Modic's sacrifice fly.
"This wasn't our best effort, but there are no excuses," Reid Lamport said of his Metro Athletic Conference champs. "When you're playing the number one team in the state, you can't be satisfied with one run.
"They made the plays," Lamport said, "but this game will make us better for the tournament."
Amero said he enjoys playing Poland "because it brings out the best in both of us. We have nothing but respect for Reid's program.
"Jessie did a great job at mixing [her pitches] up. We knew we had to go to deep in the pitch count to succeed."
williams@vindy.com