Boardman blanks Lakeside for district crown

Alex DiDomenico struck out 14 batters in the Spartans’ 2-0 victory.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

BOARDMAN — Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Ashtabula Lakeside has the Boardman High softball team returning to the Division I regional for the first time in five seasons.

Led by sophomores Alex DiDomenico, Brooke Meenachan and Danielle Petrus, it could be the first of several consecutive year-end trips to Akron for the Spartans (21-7).

In the Div. I district final at the Fields of Dreams, DiDomenico tossed a one-hitter, striking out 14, walking one and hitting one. She faced two batters over the minimum of 21 for a seven-inning game.

“Alex is a power pitcher and anytime a power pitcher has some success at the beginning of a game, it‘s going to transcend itself to the next couple of innings,” said Mike Trell, Boardman’s first-year coach.

Petrus was on base twice. Her double to lead off the Spartans’ first inning was one of Boardman’s four hits off Lakeside’s Christina Hutchison.

Facing an 0-2 count, Petrus popped the ball into left field where it fell on the warning track, much to her surprise.

“I didn’t think [I hit it] that far,” Petrus said. “I thought that [left fielder Taylor Atzemis] would catch it.”

Petrus also reached base to lead off the sixth inning when Dragons (6-10) shortstop Christine Misinec made an error.

Meenachan drove in both of the Spartans’ runs. Her groundout in the first inning to Misinec sent Petrus home from third base for a 1-0 lead.

“I was just trying to get the ball in play to the right side,” Meenachan said.

Meenachan’s bloop single to right in the sixth inning brought Petrus home.

Trell said the two-run cushion felt huge considering DiDomenico’s strength.

“We really didn’t feel like Alex would give up more than one [run],” Trell said. “She had very good command. And I think she was stronger tonight than [Tuesday].”

One day after she struck out 17 against Madison, DiDomenico opened Wednesday’s game by striking out the first six Lakeside batters.

“Their three-four-five-six hitters were the ones we feared,” said Trell, referring to Hutchison, Brittany Morrison, Misinec and Taylor Lampela. “To get the first six was extremely important for us.”

DiDomenico retired the Dragons’ first 10 batters before Mallory Zappitelli drew a full-count walk to break up the perfect game.

Zappitelli was erased almost immediately when Spartans catcher Marra Cercone threw her out trying to steal second.

DiDomenico said her early strikeout success fed her confidence.

“[Getting them] made me feel like I could do it over and over again,” DiDomenico said.

Boardman’s infielders recorded the other seven outs, including two foul popouts.

Asked how hard it is to concentrate when so few balls are hit to them, Meenachan, the shortstop, said, “We just have to always be ready. You always have to expect the ball coming to you.”

Petrus, the right fielder, was surprised that DiDomenico (12-7) excelled.

“She usually hits the batters pretty hard and they usually have a hard time hitting her,” Petrus said.

About Hutchison, Meenachan agreed that runs were hard to come by.

“But we pulled through,” Meenachan said. “She was pitching [well] — she kept hitting the outside corner.”

On May 27 at 5 p.m., Boardman will face Federal League rival Massillon Jackson in a regional semifinal at the University of Akron.

“I think it’s a big accomplishment, just the fact that we haven’t been there in a while,” Petrus said. “It will probably sink in about a week from now.”

williams@vindy.com