Champion returns to Div. III softball tournament Friday

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CHAMPION -- A team that was runner-up in its conference has a state softball tournament appointment Friday.
Champion, second to Trumbull Athletic Conference co-champs Lakeview and LaBrae, takes on Brookville (25-3) in a Division III semifinal at 3 p.m. in Ashland.
Although one goal wasn't reached, the Golden Flashes (20-6) have a chance to attain a championship of even greater significance.
That would be sufficient consolation for coach Cheryl Weaver, who will be riding the arm of pitcher Kasey Karr, good hitting and good defense.
Five seniors
Karr and four other seniors -- Jaclyn Carpenter, Hillary Beachy, Emily Hayes and Cara Popadak -- were sophomore starters on the 2004 team that lost to Monroe Central in the state semifinals.
"Their goal was to get back," said Weaver, who is 134-42 in seven seasons at Champion.
"I really thought we were going to do it last year, but we got knocked out [in the district] by LaBrae," Weaver said. LaBrae went on to the state semifinals.
"The seniors knew this was their last year and they wanted to get there again," said Weaver. "The other players wanted to do it for them, too."
Against Monroe Central in 2004, Champion made too many errors in losing, 4-0.
"We had five or six errors then because the girls were so young. But it's a whole new game now," said Weaver. "We had some seniors, but most of the girls were nervous. Plus, we played the team that took it all so they were no slouches."
That nucleus today also includes juniors Brittany Skeels and Jackie Knepp. Rounding out Friday's probable lineup are sophomore Nicole Weaver and freshmen Katie Saluga and Ashley Rable.
Top pitcher and hitter
Karr has 129 strikeouts in 13 games and an earned run average of 0.71. She also has the team's top batting average (.379) and leads the team in on-base percentage (.586).
Four others in the top half of the order have 300-plus averages: Carpenter (.354), Beachy (.354), Saluga (.338) and Hayes (.329).
As the leadoff hitter, Carpenter has scored a team-high 30 runs. Her on-base percentage is .495, while Beachy's is .418.
Carpenter (5-3) is Champion's No. 2 pitcher with a 1.19 ERA and 82 strikeouts in eight games.
Champion is 44-8 in the last two seasons, including 24-2 in 2005. Besides LaBrae last year, the Golden Flashes' other loss was to Lisbon early in the season.
This year, Champion's losses have been to Poland, Lakeview, Newton Falls, LaBrae, Liberty and Ashtabula Lakeside. Lakeside is Div. I and Poland is Div. II.
Leading the offense
Karr has 18 RBIs and a team-leading 21 walks. Carpenter has four home runs and Carpenter, Karr and Hayes have five stolen bases apiece.
"We've been facing a lot of good catchers, so it's something we don't push too often," Weaver said of stolen base attempts.
As shortstop, Carpenter's fielding percentage in 174 innings is .947. She has 28 putouts and 26 assists and has turned two double plays. In last week's 3-2 win over Ursuline, Carpenter took a throw from center fielder Rable and relayed the ball to Saluga at home plate to prevent a run from crossing.
"She's got the strongest arm on the team -- a rocket for an arm," Weaver said.
As a freshman, Jaclyn played third base because her sister was at shortstop.
Seven errors at regionals
Although Champion has had seven errors in its two regional games, Weaver said the team has a better fielding percentage than last year.
"This team is making a lot fewer errors. But, lately, it's probably due to nerves."
Before the regional, the Flashes were averaging one or two per game. Then they had four against Berkshire and three against Ursuline.
Champion's fielding percentage is .955.
Saluga won the catcher's job this season after starter Alyshia Brink and backup Jessica Bova graduated.
Like her five seniors, Weaver feels special appearing in the state tournament for a second time.
"To do it twice is quite an honor."
bassetti@vindy.com