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Spartans return to regional
By TOM WILLIAMS
BOARDMAN
When Boardman High softball player Alex DiDomenico broke the pinkie on her pitching hand just before the season started, Julie Sokol could empathize.
While DiDomenico recovered, Sokol filled in for the Spartans ace. A veteran of pain in her early days, Sokol understood what DiDomenico was feeling.
“I was a problem child when I was little, I was accident prone,” Sokol said. “Something was always hurting.
“I smashed my pinkie when I was little, I broke both of my arms ... but I haven’t been hurt since fourth grade,” Sokol said.
Her healthy arm helped keep the Spartans (16-6) on course for another regional trip while DiDomenico healed.
The Spartans will make their second straight Division I regional appearance today against Madison (23-3) in a semifinal game.
“This is what we’re working for and this is what all our hard work is put in to,” senior first baseman Jamie Massaro said.
DiDomenico suffered the injury diving for a ball in the outfield. After a recent game, she estimated that she feels about 85 percent recovered.
Sokol (9-3) and DiDomenico (8-3) are juniors. DiDomenico will get today’s start.
In 72 innings pitched, she’s allowed just 17 hits and struck out 89. Only 12 have walked.
At the plate, the Spartans are led by junior shortstop Brooke Meenachan who has a .442 batting average. She’s scored 18 runs and driven in 18.
Senior designated player Erin Schafer has 21 hits for a .390 average.
“Our bats are really coming [alive],” outfielder Missy DeMarinis said after the 11-2 win over Mayfield in the district semifinal.
As the designated player when she’s not pitching, Sokol is tied with junior third baseman Julie Olybrych with a .382 average.
Olybrych also has 10 walks, 10 sacrifices and seven RBIs. Sokol has sent home 10 runners.
Leadoff batter Danielle Petrus, a junior third baseman, had a .346 average with 12 RBIs. She also has seven sacrifices and has walked 11 time.
Massaro has a .343 average with 14 RBIs and two walks.
She also sports protective headgear when she plays first and third base.
“It’s kind of like a parental choice, it’s not really my choice,” said Massaro who has been wearing the protective mask since she played 14-under summer ball.
“When I was little, I saw a girl get hit on the forehead and then [the ball] hit the backstop after it hit her in the forehead,” Massaro said.
“After that, my dad was like, ‘you’re wearing mask when you’re on the corners. It’s not a distraction any more because I’m used to wearing it but not a lot of girls wear them,” Massaro said.
Madison finished second to Willoughby South in the Premier Athletic Conference and is making its first regional trip since 2003.
They are led at the plate by senior first baseman Kate Thompson with a .485 batting average. Senior catcher Jules Brotzman has 27 RBIs and a .470 average.
On the mound, senior Brit Hinz is 14-2, with a 0.32 ERA. She has 170 strikeouts.