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Spartans oust Fed rival
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Boardman's Jamie Massaro (27) reaches at to make the catch as Jackson High School's Maddy Richards (88) at second base during the top of the fourth inning at The University of Akron's Lee Jackson Softball Field on Wednesday afternoon.
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Boardman's Alex DiDomenico (1) pitches to Jackson High School during the top of the third inning at The University of Akron's Lee Jackson Softball Field on Wednesday afternoon.
Brooke Meenachan’s triple triggers victory in semifinal
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AKRON — During a 43-minute lightning delay, Boardman High’s Shannon Morrow demonstrated quality senior leadership.
The Spartans went into the University of Akron’s fitness center and Morrow took matters into her hands.
At the time, the Spartans trailed Massillon Jackson 1-0 in the second inning in the Division I regional semifinal and Boardman had only been to the plate once.
But during those at-bats, Morrow detected a trend in Polar Bears pitcher Shelbi Howington so she decided to simulate it.
“I live pitched to [the Spartans lineup],” Morrow said of the break. “Since their pitcher was throwing outside pitches, I was throwing my drop balls to get them to go out and get the ball.
Morrow said it paid off during Boardman’s 3-1 win over their Federal League rival.
“[It] really helped us in the game because the girls were on point knowing they were going to get it,” the Spartans senior third baseman said. “It really helped out.”
In the sixth inning, the Spartans (24-7) and Polar Bears were tied 1-1 when Jamie Massaro hit a one-out single into right field.
Brooke Meenachan clubbed Howington’s next pitch into deep center field where it bounced off Erin Wright. Third-base coach Marco Marinucci waved pinch-runner Bethany Haddle home. She slid safely as catcher Cara Longworth couldn’t pull down the throw. When the ball rolled into foul territory, Meenachan ran home.
“My dad always tells me to be aggressive,” Meenachan said. “The first pitch was right there. I thought it would drop in and get Bethany going.
“This is exciting, thrilling,” Meenachan said of Saturday’s date in the regional final.
The Spartans will play the winner of today’s semifinal between Hudson and Willoughby South.
The Spartans advanced because of sophomore pitcher Alex DiDomenico’s ability to get out of jams. The Polar Bears stranded 11 runners.
“I don’t think Alex pitched her best tonight,” Boardman coach Mike Trell said after DiDomenico tossed a four-hitter and walked seven. “She got behind a couple of batters but she was able to suck it up and throw hard to get the outs when we needed them.
“That’s the bottom line. She’s been battling all season and her control wasn’t the best tonight,” Trell said. “But she did a great job battling through it and that’s why she’s our number one.”
The Polar Bears scored their run in the top of the second inning when Longworth led off with a base hit. Pinch-runner Emily Edwards moved up to third on two infield groundouts. Laura Basford’s single past second baseman Angela Martin scored Edwards.
One pitch later, the umpires ordered the teams indoors for safety.
When play resumed, DiDomenico struck out Haley Dunn to end the inning.
The Polar Bears had another threat going in the fifth inning when Maddy Richards was at second base with one out. Mariah Richards hit the ball sharply to DiDomenico who threw to Morrow at third where she tagged the sliding Mariah Richards.
“Dido was smart enough to be on her toes and look to me at third,” Morrow said. “I was just waiting for her.”
Basford hit a pop foul that Morrow caught to end the inning.
Boardman’s first run came in the second inning. DiDomenico singled to open the at-bat and courtesy runner Julie Olbrych took second on Lizzie Padgitt’s sacrifice bunt. She tagged up and moved to third when Martin hit a foul pop down near right field.
With Missy DeMarinis facing a 3-1 count, the umpires called Howington with an illegal pitch, giving DeMarinis a walk and sending Olbrych home.
“Jackson is a really, really great team,” Morrow said. “We hadn’t beaten them in my first three years and now we’ve beaten them twice. Our defense was solid and we had clutch hits back to back.”
williams@vindy.com.