Sulick’s slam caps Cards’ romp

Canfield defeated Howland to advance against Hudson in the Akron regional.

By MARK W. MILLER

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

BOARDMAN — A chance to get even with North Canton Hoover is something Canfield High’s softball team would like to do.

The Cardinals may get that chance after defeating Howland, 12-0, in the Division I district championship game Friday at the Fields of Dreams.

Last year, Canfield lost to Hoover, 1-0, in the regional championship game. Friday, Hoover defeated Massillon Perry, 4-0, to also advance to next week’s regional tournament at the University of Akron. Thursday, Canfield will play Hudson in the semifinals.

Sulick belts grand slam

An eight-run surge in the bottom of the sixth inning, which included a career-first grand slam by Laura Sulick, ended Friday’s contest due to the 10-run-lead rule.

It was the third time this season that Canfield (24-1) beat Howland (16-9), having won 1-0 and 8-0 Metro Athletic Conference games during the regular season.

“We got off to a slow start today, but everybody contributed,” said Canfield coach Ronie Haurin.

Haurin said, “We only have one senior on this squad and that’s our catcher, Jena Ervin.

Pitcher Tricia Bettura (12-1) allowed four hits with five strikeouts to pick up the win.

She got into a little trouble in the top of the sixth (Canfield was leading 4-0) when the Tigers’ Gia Pahoulis singled with one out. Casey Haering followed with a double, but Jackie Hill’s line drive was caught by Canfield third baseman Brittany Danilov, who stepped on third for an inning ending double play.

“That was huge,” said Bettura. “I wasn’t worried about the two hits because we have a good defensive team.”

“Our defense is very dependable,” said Haurin. “When anyone gets something going, we are able to shut them down.

Danilov’s play is key

“That play by Danilov squelched their rally and the momentum switched back in our favor and then the girls came through with the big inning.”

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Danilov doubled, went to third on an error and scored on a passed ball.

Mandy Moliterno walked, moved to second on a ground out and scored on an error to make it 2-0 in the third inning.

In the fifth inning, Melissa West homered, then Ervin doubled, went to third on a passed ball and scored on an error.

Besides Sulick’s grand slam in the sixth, the eight runs were produced with a couple of walks, fielder’s choice, stolen base, a double by Bryanne Halfhill and singles by Rachel Melewski, Danilov and Beturra.

Danilov, Melewski and Bettura each had two hits for the Cardinals.

Losing pitcher Abby Nicholas (13-9), who struck out five batters, singled in the second inning and she reached third on a pair of errors in the fifth inning only to be stranded both times.

miller@vindy.com