SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR Karr's pitching dominance leads Flashes to state
Her season included a perfect game over Newton Falls.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CHAMPION -- When the high school softball season began, Champion coach Cheryl Weaver had a luxury few possess -- three pitchers.
Weaver's choices were senior Lauren Seafert and sophomores Kasey Karr and Jaclyn Carpenter.
As the season progressed, an injury to Carpenter plus Karr's development helped Weaver realize that her Division III team was at its best defensively when Karr was firing the ball, Seafert was at first base and Carpenter covered third.
That combination made Champion's defense practically unbeatable in May as the Flashes earned their first state appearance in 10 years.
Leading the way was Karr, The Vindicator's Player of the Year whose postseason efforts included a perfect game against a league rival.
Lauds defense
"Our defense was really key," said Karr, the 16-year-old daughter of Steve and Penny Karr. "So many great plays were made, especially catches in the outfield. Without our defense being so on, there's no way we would have made state."
Weaver said Karr took full advantage of her opportunity to pitch fulltime after Carpenter injured her back in early May.
"When Jaclyn was hurt, Kasey realized this was where she could step it up, and she did," Weaver said. The pitching mound "is where she wants to be."
TAC co-champions
In the regular season, the Flashes tied Hubbard for first place in the Trumbull Athletic Conference race. They began the tournament unseeded and had to win at Badger (3-2) and Garrettsville (3-0) to qualify for the Orwell district.
That's when Karr's dominance really took over.
Champion met TAC rival Newton Falls in the semifinals after splitting with the Tigers in the regular season.
Karr was phenomenal in the district semifinal, retiring all 21 Tigers she faced in throwing a perfect game in a 1-0 victory.
A day later, the Flashes tamed Ursuline, the defending district champion, in an 8-2 rout to earn a trip to the Massillon regional.
"Ursuline had knocked us out the year before," said Karr of the Flashes' incentive. "We knew they were really good team."
At the Massillon regional, Karr tossed a two-hitter as Champion walloped Navarre Fairless, 5-0.
But Champion had its hands full with Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in the regional finale, falling behind 4-0 by the sixth inning. The Flashes rallied to force extra innings, then won 5-4 in the eighth.
Lost in state semifinals
Their magic ride ended in Ashland with a 4-0 loss to Woodsfield Monroe Central in the state semifinals.
Karr credits her development to years of playing travel ball with Valley Sting.
"I've been pitching for eight years, seven with Sting," Karr said. "Travel ball is like a different level of playing -- when you play practically all year round, it can't do anything but help you.
"[Travel] pitchers throw so many more pitches -- a lot throw five," Karr said.
Karr says the Flashes have their work cut out for them next year because they lose four key players: Seafert, shortstop Jessica Carpenter, right fielder Tara Shope and center fielder Meghan Packman.
"We're going to miss our seniors -- they were a key part of whole defensive setup," Karr said.
When she's not pitching, Karr runs cross country.
"I pretty much practice all year round," Karr said. "I usually throw with coach Mike Dahringer two times a week in winter. Even now, I go once a week."
williams@vindy.com