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A sparkling diamond for area All-Stars
By TOM WILLIAMS
STRUTHERS
Struthers High softball coach Anthony Gentile can’t wait to welcome the area’s top seniors to the Wildcats’ field at Mauthe Park.
When Gentile took over the Wildcats program four seasons ago, Struthers played just seven home games at the Little League complex.
“We needed to get our own field,” said Gentile who played Little League Baseball on the field in Mauthe Park when he was growing up.
Gentile convinced city leaders to grant permission for refurbishing the field for the varsity softball team. Two years ago, Struthers began playing their home games at Mauthe Park which is located next to Manor Aveune School.
“We really spent a lot money on this complex,” Gentile said. “Visitors have commented on great the field is.”
Today at 4 p.m., Struthers is the host for the seventh annual Mahoning Valley Senior High School Fast-pitch All-Star Doubleheader that pits seniors from Mahoning County against seniors from Trumbull schools.
Ursuline coach Michael Kernan, one of the doubleheader’s biggest supporters, said the site alternates each year. Last year’s games were played at the Candlelite Knolls complex in Bazetta Township. In 2008, the games were at Boardman’s Fields of Dreams.
Two seven-inning games will be played in the gathering that gives seniors one last softball experience.
Gentile, the Mahoning County coach, said Ursuline’s tandem of pitcher Casey Lower and catcher Sarah Ingalls will be the battery in the first game.
In the second contest, Struthers Ashley Baron, who pitched the Wildcats to the All-American Conference White Tier championship, will team with Mooney catcher Christina Hrehor. Lowellville’s Cori Pavlicko also is available to pitch.
“I think it’s a great thing,” said Gentile of the All-Star gathering. “It bonds the community because a lot of these players have been competing against each other since they were 8 or 9.”
Mathews coach Gene Chereder, who guided the Mustangs to a Division IV regional appearance, has four pitchers: Niles’ Aubrey Hale and Lindsay Bates, McDonald’s Kaitlin Rutushin and Badger’s Kelsey Flowers.
Catching will be Girard’s Melissa Weitzman and Warren JFK’s Kim Sylvester.
Assisting Gentile will be his Struthers’ assistants Gary Raybuck and Scott Raybuck. Helping Cheredar will be Champion’s Cheryl Weaver and Warren JFK’s Joe Sylvester.