Poland faces Canfield today for regional

The Bulldogs advanced by beating Geneva while the Cardinals ousted Jefferson Area.

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

JEFFERSON — The Metro Athletic Conference’s two best softball programs will meet one last time as MAC rivals with a district title at stake.

Today at 4:30 at the Jefferson softball complex next to the Ashtabula Fairgrounds, Canfield will play Poland for the Division II district crown.

Tuesday, Poland advanced by defeating Geneva, 7-0, while Canfield ousted Jefferson Area, 3-0.

The Cardinals and Bulldogs split during the regular season. The Cards won at Poland, 7-4, before Poland won at Canfield, 2-1.

Poland 7, Geneva 0

JEFFERSON — Allie Patton, the game’s first batter, had the game-winning RBI when she hit a solo home run at the JAGS Complex.

Patton, a senior, finished with two RBIs for the Bulldogs (22-7).

“It put a big charge in our team and deflates then other team,” Poland coach Reid Lamport said of the leadoff home run on a 2-2 count.

“She got all of it [the pitch] and took it over the center-field fence,” Lamport said. “There was a pretty good wind in her face, too.”

Poland senior Liz Maher (11-6) gave up two hits and struck out six for the first five innings before Jordan Palumbo had two strikeouts over the next two innings.

“They’ve been our MO [method of operation] for a while this season and in the tournament,” Lamport said of the pitching tandem of Maher and Palumbo.

“Together, they’ve been working out pretty well for us up until this point,” Lamport said. “They both bring something.”

Palumbo, a sophomore, had two doubles while Adrianna Sikora had two singles. Jenna Barnhart also doubled for the winners.

Palumbo and Sikora, a freshman, both scored two runs.

Patton’s home run was a shocker for Geneva, which was riding a 10-game winning streak and wasn’t expected to reach the district.

“That took the air out of their pitcher,” Lamport said. “That may have put some doubt in their minds right off the bat and worked in our favor.”

In 2007, Poland reached the Div. II regional finals before losing to Akron Hoban.

Canfield was a Div. I regional qualifier in 2006 and 2007.

Today’s winner advances to the Akron Firestone regional.

“We knew the district was going to go through them,” Lamport said. “We’re just fortunate to get an opportunity to play them.”

Canfield 3, Jefferson Area 0

JEFFERSON — After a slow start, the Cardinals scored three runs in the sixth.

Jefferson got an early triple, but the potential run was cut down at the plate when freshman second baseman Melanie West fielded a grounder and threw to catcher Mandy Moliterno who made the tag at the plate.

Bianca Biondillo prevented more trouble when she caught a long fly ball in center field in the second inning.

“The defensive plays at the beginning of the game were key, which has been the case all season,” Canfield coach Ronie Haurin said.

“We have a really strong defense,” said Haurin, who exhorts her players with the motto: “Don’t let the other team score and they won’t beat you.”

Tricia Bettura (12-2) struck out eight and didn’t issue a walk during a two-hitter.

Bettura also had a double that scored Brittany Danilov in the sixth. Danilov, who had singled, was sacrificed to second by Melissa West before Bettura pushed her across.

Melanie West followed Bettura with a double and Moliterno’s two-run single accounted for the remaining runs.

Bettura will start against Poland. In the 2-1 loss to the Bulldogs, Bettura pitched two innings.

“They haven’t faced Bettura much, so I think we’ll have nice strong effort from her,” Haurin said. “At the same time, Poland will be a great challenge.”