GlenOak pulls past Boardman

Jenna Schaffner had two home runs in the Eagles' 3-1 win.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- The Boardman High softball team's bid to turn around a losing season met another roadblock Tuesday at the Field of Dreams.
The Spartans ran into a slugger and a clutch pitcher against Canton GlenOak and were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities in a very close Federal League game.
Jenna Schaffner belted two home runs over the fence while Jessica Stocker pitched a six-hitter with six strikeouts and three walks as GlenOak scored twice in the top of the sixth inning to snap a 1-1 tie and hold on for a 3-1 victory.
Schaffner, who connected over the right field fence in the first inning, belted her second homer of the game over the left field fence in the sixth off starting pitcher Kelsey Ford.
Then, with two outs, Keshia Johnson doubled and came home on Stocker's single for insurance against Ford (0-5), who was relieved by Nicole Williams.
Ford and Williams each had four strikeouts and neither walked a batter.
Boardman (2-8, 0-5 Federal League) scored its only run in the second inning on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded.
Four career homers
Schaffner, a senior third baseman, belted the third and fourth homers of her career, but is not really considered a long-ball hitter.
"I wasn't really trying to hit a home run. I was just trying to get the ball in play. They just came," said Schaffner, who was "just hitting for a base hit."
She said she is a team player.
"It takes the team to win," she emphasized.
Coach Fred Mertes of GlenOak (3-6, 3-3 Federal League) said that Schaffner hit a homer last year and one earlier this season.
"It's unusual for a girl to hit two homers in one game. Girls usually don't hit home runs over the fence," said Mertes, who believes Schaffner "saw the ball well in the game."
Stocker in control
Mertes said that Stocker (3-6) had good control in foiling Boardman's batters.
"She was hitting her spots pretty well," he said. "She was not overpowering, just keeping them at bay with low stuff."
Boardman coach Bill Amero said that Stocker got stronger as the game progressed.
"She struggled for strikes early in the game," said Amero. "She got into a groove later in the game."
Amero said his team squandered golden opportunities to score.
The Spartans had the bases loaded twice but got only one run out of both rallies because of Stocker's strong clutch pitching.
"We had the bases loaded with no outs," he said, referring to the first inning when Addie Carothers led off with a walk and Williams and Mallory Hay both singled to load the sacks.
Loaded bases again
Boardman also loaded the bases in the second inning with one out, but got only one run out of it.
Lizzie Padgitt opened second with a walk and was replaced by base runner Samantha Peters. Jaclyn Cunningham singled and, one out later, Carothers got an infield single to load the bases. Williams' infield out scored Peters.
Amero said Williams did a good job of pitching in relief. She struck out four of the five batters she faced. However, Amero said the Spartans "need consistency in pitching."
But he was pleased with the way his team hit the ball.
"We had as many hits as we've had in other games," he said. "We need players to step up when we need them."
kovach@vindy.com