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Harding’s best softball season ends in district semifinal
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
The best season in Warren Harding softball history came to an end Tuesday in a Division I district semifinal at Fields of Dreams.
Nicole Doyle pitched a one-hitter and struck out 19 as Aurora eliminated the Raiders, 1-0.
Aurora (22-1) will meet Austintown Fitch for the district title at 4:30 p.m. today. The Falcons defeated Stow, 8-6 in Tuesday’s other semifinal.
The Raiders got their only hit of the game in the fourth inning when Alyssa Donald singled with one away, but she was stranded when Doyle fanned the next two batters.
“We played a quality team and both pitchers threw really well today. They got a couple of clutch hits, were able to capitalize and that was the story of the game,” Raiders coach Bruce Whetzel said.
A year ago, Doyle was nursing two stress fractures in her lower back, an injury that would sideline her most of her freshman season.
Warren Harding got an up-close look at how well the sophomore pitching sensation has healed. Doyle’s gem was her fifth one-hitter of the season. She also has pitched a no-hitter and is now 11-0.
“I was depending on my curve and rise ball today, mixing in an occasional change-up. I went to my change-up one too many times, however, and that is when they got their hit,” Doyle said. “We knew that Warren Harding was an excellent team, but I pitched the same to them like any other team on our schedule this year.”
The Raiders finished the most successful season in school history at 23-6.
“We had three goals this year and achieved them all,” Whetzel said. “The first goal was to win 20 games and we won 23. Our second goal was to win back-to-back Lake Erie League championships and we did that by going 30-0 over the past two seasons. Our last goal was to get to the district and we did.
“We lose only two seniors, Anastashia Garrison and Rachel Stano, so it’s easy to understand why our goal already for next year is to get beyond the district.”
Julie Zidones’ single in the third inning plated the only run of the game.
Aurora’s Devan Ternai singled to get the Greenmen’s rally started in the third inning.
After Ternai stole second, Zidones singled to right field to drive home the game’s only run.
“I was looking for a good pitch to hit and didn’t care how we got the run home, just as long as we ended up with a run,” Zidones said. “It was a curve ball, low and outside and I just went to the opposite field.”
First-year Aurora coach Jessica McDermitt called both Doyle and Zidones “gamers.”
“There’s a reason that Nicole was the most valuable player of our conference. Coming off a back injury and pitching as well as she has all season for us has been a pleasure to watch,” McDermitt said. “Julie has been our sacrifice hitter all season long, but is a real clutch hitter and she showed you why today.”