Three play for berths at state
By TOM WILLIAMS
AKRON
The Federal League will be sending a softball team to next week’s state tournament at Firestone Stadium.
The All-American Conference Red Tier and the Inter Tri-County League Tier One are hoping to do the same.
Today at noon, three Mahoning Valley softball teams will play in regional championship games with state berths on the line.
In Division I, Boardman (21-6) will play Federal League rival Massillon Perry (21-3) at Lee Jackson Field at the University of Akron. The Spartans are trying to advance to state for the first time since 2002.
In Div. II, Poland (27-1) will take on Navarre Fairless (22-6) at Firestone Stadium. The Bulldogs’ only other state appearance was in 2001 when they finished state runner-up.
In Div. III, South Range (29-1) will battle Hillsdale (25-5) at Massillon Community Park. The Raiders are hoping to earn their first state trip.
Boardman and Perry will be playing for the second time this spring. In the first game, at Perry, Boardman pitcher Alex DiDomenico (8-3) tossed a no-hitter, but the Panthers won, 1-0, by scoring an unearned run.
The Spartans and Panthers have to make up their other regular-season Federal League game. Boardman coach Mike Trell says that game will be played next week. (The Spartans have a makeup game with Canton McKinley scheduled for Tuesday).
“They are a tough team, they’ve got good bats, they’ve got a nice pitcher,” Boardman junior third baseman Julie Olbrych said. “We get a little intimidated by them so if we just relax, we’ll be fine.
“It’s always a tough game when you’re playing somebody you’ve already faced,” Olbrych said. “You know what they have and you should be prepared for it.”
Junior center fielder Danielle Petrus said playing in last year’s regional final is a bonus.
“We know how to handle it [because] we’ve gone through the stress of a tight situation,” Petrus said. “We just have to come back and bring a little more than we did last year.”
About the first game, Petrus said, “We stuck with them until the very end so we know what to expect. We know what the pitcher throws, we know how to approach it.
“All we have to do is come through with the bats and have a strong D.”
Speaking of strong defense, Poland has overwhelmed four tournament teams with two no-hitters, one five-inning perfect game and a three-hitter on Wednesday by Erin Gabriel against Tallmadge that ended with the mercy rule.
“Obviously, she didn’t have her best game but she knows that when she doesn’t she always has a support system to help her out,” said sophomore third baseman Jenna Modic of Gabriel.
“I’m definitely going to learn from this experience,” said Gabriel, also a sophomore. “I gave up three hits and they were three big hits. I didn’t have my best game, but my teammates had my back.
“That’s just the greatest feeling in the world,” Gabriel said. “Now I feel like no matter what happens, we can win.”
Senior second baseman Jessica D’Apolito said jumping out to a big lead in the third inning eased the pressure.
“To come out and score seven runs right away was huge and that made us feel our confidence [grow],” D’Apolito said. “And that excited us.”