Boardman blanks champs

The Spartans took advantage of Walsh Jesuit's mistakes.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Even Ohio's best high school softball teams can't afford mistakes against the top-ranked team in Division I.
An infield error and three wild pitches proved costly to the Walsh Jesuit Warriors, as the Boardman Spartans (26-1) converted those mistakes into the game's only run.
Behind Jennifer Pancake's four-hitter, the Spartans edged the defending Div. II champions, 1-0, Saturday at the Fields of Dreams.
"We played our best," said Pancake (19-1), "but thank goodness they made a couple of errors. I thought we were going to hit better, but they are a tough team."
Offense controlled
Walsh Jesuit (20-5 and this week's No. 3-team in Div. II) pitcher Lorena Floccari (16-3) limited Boardman to two hits.
"Her pitches were all different," said Pancake, who struck out twice and popped out to shortstop. "She would throw a fastball, and then come back with an inside fastball and outside curve. She mixed them up and we were off-balance."
Walsh Jesuit coach Larry Deeks agreed. "Our pitcher threw a great game," Deeks said, "but they scored one run on her error."
With one out in the second inning, Boardman's Jenna Brandenstein reached base when Walsh first baseman Taylor Gresocvich dropped a throw from shortstop Mary Graber.
While Floccari was striking out Jennifer Feret and walking Ashley DiDomenico, Brandenstein moved up on wild pitches then scored on another. Pancake took charge, limiting the Warriors to two singles the rest of the way.
"Pancake doesn't walk anyone -- she relies on her great defense," Deeks said. "She makes you hit groundballs and they have a real good infield."
Floccari limited Boardman to two hits. Spartans coach Bill Amero credited Floccari's ball movement for frustrating his hitters.
"She's a tough pitcher, she offers a lot of movement," said Amero of the pitcher who ended the seasons for West Branch and Poland last year at the Akron regional.
"Jennifer did a good job, too, and our defense played tough behind her," Amero said. "I wish we could have given her a little more offensive support."
Threat squelched
Walsh's best scoring threat came in the first inning when Garber led off with a successful bunt. Ashley Dickerson took her place on base after a fielder's choice and Floccari singled to put two Warriors on with one out.
Pancake ended the threat by inducing two groundouts to second base.
"We had opportunities, but couldn't come up with a hit," Deeks said. "Against Boardman, you've got to take advantage of those chances."
Also Saturday, Boardman defeated Hillsdale 3-0 with DiDomenico tossing a five-hitter to improve to 7-0. Audrey Martinko had three hits and Megan Cunningham doubled for the Spartans.
williams@vindy.com