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Diamond Engagements
DiDomenico, Spartans to regional
By Jon moffett
BOARDMAN
Boardman junior pitcher Alex DiDomenico had been struggling at the plate prior to Thursday’s Division I district championship game against Canfield. But that all changed with one swing.
DiDomenico, having struck out three times in the district semifinal Wednesday, cranked a towering solo home run over the center field fence at the Fields of Dreams to give the Spartans (16-6) a 2-0 win.
DiDomenico said she knew the ball was gone as soon as it left the bat.
“It’s like a feeling you get when you hit it on the right spot; you just know it’s going to go,” she said.
Boardman coach Mike Trell said he had a feeling DiDomenico’s would hit one out if she could make solid contact.
“It’s funny, because I told her on her first pitch [which was fouled] it looked like she was right on it. She was on it, and I told myself if [the pitcher] makes a mistake, Alex is going to be right on it.”
Not only an admitted power hitter, but DiDomenico provided the Spartans’ shut-down defense with a no-hitter. DiDomenico walked the first batter of the game, but more than made up for it with nine strikeouts.
“When Alex pitches that well, what we need to do is put some runs on the board,” Trell said. “We were able to swing the bats and get some hits.”
Trell said it was a “great team performance” and credited his team for supporting a good outing by DiDomenico.
The Spartans had six hits against Canfield starter Carlee Hart, who struck out five and walked a batter.
Canfield coach Ronie Haurin said a tentative approach at the plate was a big factor in the team’s inability to hit.
“I think we were just not as confident as Boardman was today,” Haurin said. “Alex DiDomenico played a great game, and we walked up there a little hesitantly when we were batting. And we just couldn’t put the hits across.”
The Cardinals (17-12) are losing one senior to graduation, and Haurin said she believes the team will compete in the postseason again next season.
The Spartans must focus on completing their regular season first, and then on a trip to Akron for regional competition.
With six regular-season games left, starting with a Federal League doubleheader tonight against Canton GlenOak and Massillon Jackson, the Spartans will focus on each game as it comes.
Boardman scored its other run in the bottom of the third inning. A sacrifice fly by first baseman Jamie Massaro scored teammate Julie Olbrych from third.