Champion’s Saluga is right at home behind home plate

By Chuck Housteau

NEWTON FALLS — Katie Saluga was a 15-year-old freshman looking for a varsity spot on the Champion High softball team four years ago.

On a senior-laden team that would eventually head to Columbus for the Division III state tournament, Saluga earned a starting spot behind home plate as a catcher.

She’s made that position her home for the last four years.

Friday afternoon at Newton Falls, Saluga led the Flashes to their eighth straight win to open the season with a 12-2, five-inning win over the Tigers.

Champion (8-0, 5-0) remained atop the All American Conference Blue Tier standings with the victory.

Saluga had two singles and an RBI while batting third in the lineup. She also belted two line drives to shortstop and left field that found the gloves of Tigers’ fielders.

“It was another day at the office,” Saluga said. “It’s what we do best. Everybody was hitting the ball today.”

Saluga’s teammates provided tons of support while pitcher Morgan White tossed a four-hitter and struck out 12 Newton Falls batters.

Offensively, freshman Alison Sorber hit a home run and a double and drove in four runs while White blasted two singles that brought home three runs.

Freshman Lindsay Swipas added a single and double for two RBIs.

Coach Cheryl Weaver said that the Flashes have all the ingredients necessary for a run at another league title and a successful post-season.

Weaver should know.

She’s led the Flashes to numerous championships and has coached some great players over the years. Kacey Karr, Jaclyn Carpenter, Emily Hayes and Hillary Beachy were all great players on Champion’s 2006 state runner-up team.

“As a catcher and hitter, Katie is probably one of the best I’ve ever coached,” said Weaver. “She impressed as a freshman with her poise handling pitchers behind the plate and with her quick bat.”

Saluga batted fifth in the lineup on that 2006 team.

This year the senior honor roll student, who will take her bat and catcher’s mitt to West Liberty State (W. Va.) University in the fall, is batting over .350 with four home runs.

She’s hit two home runs twice in a game this season.

“She has a lot of power for a girl her size,” Weaver said.

Saluga is not your prototypical catcher. She doesn’t have great size but is quick and agile with a strong arm.

Saluga is one of only two seniors on the team and takes pride her in leadership role this year. Second baseman Ashley Rable is also a four-year starter for the Flashes.

“Ashley and I have really stepped it up as leaders of this team,” said Saluga. “We try to teach the younger girls what it takes to win and be successful.”

Saluga said she learned a lot from a great group of seniors and is hoping that this team can find the same magic that led Champion to become state runner-up in 2006.

With all the ingredients in place for a potentially strong season, Weaver said that Saluga is the key to Champion’s success.

Saluga felt the pain of losing a state championship three years ago. She would like to lead the Flashes back and this time win a state title.