DIV. III SOFTBALL Flashes defeat Ursuline in final

Champion's Kasey Karr led the way, both pitching and hitting, in the 8-2 win.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ORWELL -- The one team strong enough to threaten Ursuline High's district title streak in softball has been a perennial power in Trumbull County.
Champion spent 2003 in Division II, but when the Golden Flashes returned to Div. III this season, Ursuline coach Michael Kernan took notice and sensed a challenge.
"I knew they'd be the team we'd be facing and have a battle with," said Kernan, whose Irish had won back-to-back district crowns. "Unfortunately, only one team came to battle today."
Breaking out
Champion's offense switched into high gear Thursday for an 8-2 victory that propelled it into the regional for the first time since 2001. The Golden Flashes (20-5) will play the winner of today's game between Elyria Catholic and Navarre Fairless, next Wednesday in Massillon.
"They needed this big-time," Champion coach Cheryl Weaver said. "It's been so long since we hit the ball and had a lot of runs. To do it in a district final is even more special."
No one exemplified that offensive improvement more than Champion's Kasey Karr. One day after pitching a perfect game in the district semifinal, the sophomore showed her versatility by reaching base and scoring in all four at-bats.
"I struggled at the beginning of the year with my bat," said Karr, who singled twice, walked and was hit by a pitch. "Now it seems like it's finally coming together at the right time. The balls are falling in."
Weaver added of Karr, "She's been so down on herself, but I look at contact and she makes contact. She always hits the ball hard, so you know in time it's going to happen."
Karr also tamed a potent Ursuline (21-6) line-up for her 11th victory in 12 decisions, allowing two runs, which were aided by errors, and four hits. Three of those hits, including a triple, came off the bat of Ursuline junior Alessandra Parry.
Defensive highlight
Champion senior center fielder Meghan Packman came to Karr's defense in the sixth inning, making a sensational catch against the fence to rob Ursuline's Vannessa Dickson of a home run.
"She's my Gold Glove winner," Weaver said. "Any time you can take a home run away, that's an awesome catch. You can't ask for anything more out of a kid."
Karr added, "Oh my gosh. I thought it was going over. I was like, 'Oh no. Oh no.' When she pulled the ball up from over the fence and held it up, I was like, 'Yes. Yes, Meghan.' "
Ursuline junior pitcher Maureen Cearfoss (20-6) has been instrumental all season, but she was roughed up Thursday by the Golden Flashes.
"That's the most Maureen has been hit all year," Kernan said. "Usually her changeups and her drop pitch keep teams off balance, so when they hit her I think she lost some confidence early."
Champion senior Jessica Carpenter singled twice and doubled, while senior Lauren Seafert and junior Alyshia Brink each added two singles in a 12-hit attack.
richesson@vindy.com