Boardman’s ace tames Madison

May 28, 2010 at 12:07a.m.

By TOM WILLIAMS

AKRON

Boardman High softball ace Alex DiDomenico is getting healthy at just the right time for the Spartans.

After Thursday’s 3-0 victory over Madison in the Division I regional semifinal game at the University of Akron, DiDomenico estimated that she’s “95 percent” healthy after recovering from a broken pinkie on her pitching hand that caused her to miss about three weeks.

After watching the Ohio State recruit limit the Blue Streaks to two infield hits by Ashley Thompson, center fielder Danielle Petrus said DiDomenico (8-3) isn’t giving herself enough credit.

“She gave it her all tonight — over 100 percent,” said Petrus after the Spartans qualified for their second straight regional championship game.

Saturday at noon at Lee Jackson Field, Boardman (21-6) will play Federal League rival Massillon Perry for a berth in the state tournament.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” second-year Boardman coach Mike Trell said. “At the start of the season, we thought maybe if we played well, we’d be able to get here. We seemed to have done that.”

Boardman and Perry have played just one of their two Federal League games. Trell said the Spartans lost 1-0 at Perry despite DiDomenico throwing a no-hitter.

“It should be a really good game,” said Trell, adding that the other league game will be played in Boardman next week.

Against Madison, DiDomenico struck out 10 and walked none.

“I’m always a little bit shaky in the beginning of the game, but I like to build up my stamina during the game,” DiDomenico said. “Our defense played really well.

“We got the key hits that were essential,” DiDomenico said. “As long as we play like we did today, I think we can go very far.”

With the game scoreless in the fourth inning, DiDomenico drew a two-out walk off Madison pitcher Brit Hinz (15-3). Missy DeMarinis hit a line drive to right center field that bounced off Chantel Smithberger’s glove for a triple, scoring courtesy runner Kayleigh Huck.

“That was a huge hit by Missy,” Trell said. “She’s had a couple of situations this year where she’s really stepped up for us. The big thing was to put it in play and make somebody field it.”

With one out in the fifth inning, Petrus doubled into the left-field corner and moved to third on Julie Olbrych’s bunt single. Brooke Meenachan’s sacrifice fly scored Petrus for a 2-0 lead.

Olbrych said the Spartans gained confidence the more pitches they saw from Hinz.

“The second time around, we were moving the bats a little more,” the Spartans third baseman said. DiDomenico led off the sixth inning with a walk. Courtesy runner Gianna Marinucci scored on Huck’s two-out double.

Trell inserted Huck into the lineup in the fourth inning.

“We feel she’s a good fastball hitter,” Trell said of the switch.

Olbrych noted the Spartans took this victory a little more in stride.

“Last year, we were partying after this game,” said Olbrych referring to the semifinal win over Massillon Jackson. “This time, we’re keeping our cool and we know we’ve got to go a step further.”

In 2009, Boardman rallied to defeated Jackson, 3-1, in the semifinal, then lost to Hudson, 1-0.