Close calls nothing new for Ursuline, Sandy Valley

Both teams have strong pitchers with 20-victory seasons.

By Tom Williams

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Three times on the road to Akron, the Ursuline High softball team needed extra innings to move on.

When the Irish (26-5) play Magnolia Sandy Valley on Friday, Ursuline coach Michael Kernan won’t be surprised if his Irish are in another tight battle.

“They beat Archbold, which was ranked fourth in the state,” Kernan said. “And they’ve shut out most of their [tournament] opponents. They have a couple of really good athletes.

“When you go to the state level, you know [opponents] will have a good pitcher,” Kernan said.

In tournament action, Sandy Valley pitcher Allysa Lancaster (20-5) has allowed one run. Sandy Valley’s wins were over Coshocton (3-0), Fort Frye (11-1), Harrison Central (1-0), Ridgewood (1-0), Elmwood (3-0) and Archbold (1-0).

Ursuline also has seen its share of close calls. Their tournament victims include Newton Falls (1-0 in extra innings), Champion (3-2 in nine innings), Wellington (2-1) and West Salem Northwestern (3-2 in nine innings).

Ursuline’s hopes ride on junior Casey Lower’s arm. The third-year varsity pitcher has a 25-5 record and 63 career wins.

“Casey will pitch her heart out and we’ll be back there defending her,” junior shortstop Anna Donko said.

Lower’s grandfather, Mike Dahringer, is her pitching coach.

Kernan met Dahringer a few years ago when he was seeking a pitching coach for his daughter, Chelsea.

“I heard he’s the best,” Kernan said. “I tried to learn what he was teaching her to try and help myself.

“The fact that [assistant coach] Barb [Balestrino] and I know nothing about fast-pitch pitching and technique, I’d say he’s a pretty big asset,” Kernan said. “He really knows his stuff.

“The girls he works with in the area, they are competing at a higher level and their [school] programs are better off because they’ve been to see Mike Dahringer.”

Seniors Rebecca Hartz (center field) and Miranda Carkido are practicing with diplomas.

“It was amazing — not many people can say they graduated on a softball field,” said Hartz of last Saturday’s presentation at Massillon’s Genshaft Park after the win over Northwestern. The game conflicted with Ursuline’s commencement. “This is a good kind of ‘afterschool,’ it’s OK.”

Balestrino is excited but a little sad that a six-month ride that began with conditioning is about to end.

“It’s very special, I am so happy for the girls,” Balestrino said. “We’ve been together since December, a long time, but this week it’s like new energy. We feel revived, we’re excited and I just tell the kids just enjoy it.

“We’re going to try to be together as much as we can because after this week, school is out, everyone is going to go their own way and play [summer] ball. It’s going to be our last time [together] but at least we got to fulfill the whole year of practicing and playing.

She said she and Kernan are especially grateful to parents who put up with afterschool pickups and early morning deliveries.

“Sending them to Ursuline is a huge sacrifice,” said Balestrino, an Ursuline graduate. “Since December, they’ve been picking their kids up late. And we practiced on Saturday mornings early. Mike and I appreciate what parents have done.”

williams@vindy.com