Canfield’s Sulick tames Berea; Howland is next

The Cardinals clubbed two homers and five doubles.

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

BOARDMAN — Canfield High coach Ronie Haurin managed a quick smile after the Cardinals dismantled Berea, 18-0, in a Division I district softball semifinal game at the Fields of Dreams Complex.

“We’re peaking at the right time,” Haurin said. “We have a tremendous hitting team from top to bottom and we really hit the ball well tonight.

“We have a really talented team and we are playing our best softball of the season.”

The Cardinals (23-1) will face Howland, a 5-3 winner over Mayfield, in the championship game today at 4:30 p.m.

Canfield and Howland met twice in the regular season and the Cardinals prevailed both times by the scores of 1-0 in extra innings and 8-0.

Fifteen-hit attack

Against Berea (13-15), the Cardinals hit two home runs and five doubles as part of a 15-hit attack.

Canfield opened the game with a six-run first inning and added eight more in the second inning.

One run would have been all the Cardinals needed with pitcher Lauren Sulick (11-0) on the mound.

Sulick gave up a bloop infield single to the Braves’ first batter and then pitched zeroes the rest of the way.

“Lauren was on top of her pitches tonight,” Haurin said. “She is effective with her good speed and ability to mix it up.

“She generally gets a jump on the batter with her control and she’s hard to hit when she is out in front in the count.”

Sulick struck out four batters and allowed just one walk.

Offensively, Mandy Moliterno led the Cardinals with a two-run homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the second for four RBIs.

Leadoff hitter Rachel Melewski had three hits, including a two-run homer which was the first of her career.

Canfield also got two hits from Tricia Bettura and Bryanne Halfhill.

Howland 5, Mayfield 3

BOARDMAN — Abby Nicholas scattered seven hits and struck out 10 to lead Howland in Thursday’s other semifinal game.

The Tigers (16-8) trailed 3-2 before scoring two runs in the fifth inning and adding an insurance run in the sixth.

Casey Haering doubled and two RBIs for Howland while Maria Brutz singled twice.

Allison Opalich hit a home run for Mayfield (10-13) and Cassie Gaye added a pair of singles.