SOFTBALL Weather no better, but Mooney doesn't mind wait

The Cardinals will meet Minerva in today's district final, weather permitting.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- Mara Palombaro has plenty of fond memories from her first season in a Cardinal Mooney softball uniform. But she has to wait at least one more day to create more.
The Division III district championship game between Mooney and Minerva was postponed Friday as a thunderstorm interrupted play in the first inning at the Green Beaver softball complex Friday.
The game, which also was postponed on Thursday, could resume today, but not before 4 p.m.
The teams completed just one half inning of play before lightning caused a delay. After about 20 minutes of high winds, lightning and hail, tournament director Don Feren informed the teams that the game would be rescheduled for today but not before 4 p.m.
Despite the struggle with Mother Nature, Palombaro and her teammates were in high spirits as they waited out the storm on the team bus.
"We're a little disappointed, but we'll be ready to play whenever they say we can play," said Palombaro, who drove in all three runs in Mooney's 3-2 district semifinal victory over South Range on Wednesday. "We'll still be pumped for the game and go out and hit the ball well."
Solid season
The 2004 season has been the best in school history for the Cardinals, who at 20-8 own the winningest record at Mooney. Win No. 18, which broke the record, came against Warren JFK. That feat ranks as Palombaro's favorite so far.
"Last year's team tied it, but we were really excited to break it this year," Palombaro said. "It's been cool to be a part of that. It's been a lot of fun this season and we've really grown close as a team. I'm sure this experience will bring us even closer."
Mooney coach Mark Rinehart has waited 12 years for his first district title.
"This is a special team and no matter what happens the rest of the way, this will still be a special team," Rinehart said. "Waiting another day won't faze this group because they are focused. When it's time to play they'll be ready."
Rinehart suggested moving the game to Boardman's Fields of Dreams where there is a tarp protecting the field.
Feren responded that the game site will not change.
"That's fine with us -- it's a short trip either way," Rinehart said. "This is for the district championship -- we'll play in the middle of the Pacific Ocean two months from now if they want us to."
The winner will meet the winner of Burton Berkshire and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in a regional semifinal game on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Massillon's Genshaft Park.
Division IV
CORTLAND -- Weather-permitting, the Division IV district final between the Western Reserve and Mineral Ridge softball teams will resume today at 1 p.m. at Lakeview High.
The scoreless game was called in the third inning Friday because of a tornado warning.