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2 state softball events set at Fields of Dreams
By curtis pulliam
Boardman
The Fields of Dreams will be the host of two State Little League tournaments beginning Saturday.
The 9-10 and 10-11 softball tournaments each will have a local representative in the field.
On the 9-10 side, Canfield beat Columbiana, Howland, Boardman and Poland to qualify for the double-elimination state tournament.
For the 10-11 division, Boardman is the District 2 representative. There was no district tournament in the 10-11 division because no other community fielded a team in the age range.
Despite receiving an automatic bid, Boardman manager Eric Ericson feels confident in his team’s ability going into the state tournament.
“We have a nice balanced team,” Ericson said. “We have a dynamic infield. We also have many girls who are heavy hitters.”
Third baseman Kathryn O’Horo and shortstop Hope Burford is included in that group, Ericson said.
The team has practiced for the last month. Ericson said he believes that pitching is important for his team.
“Emma Ericson is our pitcher,” Ericson said of his daughter. “We rely on her.”
The other half of the battery is catcher Lauren Maughan.
Ericson is assisted by John Lapinski and Mike Trell, the Boardman High varsity coach.
“We have to come out and play our game,” Ericson said. “If we dictate the game, we will do well.”
Boardman’s first game will be Sunday at 2 p.m. against the winner of Saturday’s Tallmadge/Oak Hill game. With only three teams in the field, Boardman was given a first-round bye.
In the younger bracket, Canfield, manager Marty Fitzgerald is assisted by Mike Kelly and Dante Castronova.
Canfield opens play on Saturday at noon against Kingsville.
“They seem to have a pretty good team,” Fitzgerald said. “We are looking forward to playing them.”
Fitzgerald says his girls have been practicing all week and are thrilled about the chance to represent District 2 in the state tournament.
“The girls are excited about it,” Fitzgerald said. “Just to get out of that district is an accomplishment in itself.
“I know that there is always two-to-three teams from our district that can compete at the state level,” Fitzgerald said. “Our girls are definitely confident from our district tournament so I think the focus is there.”
Fitgerald says his team has depth at pitching, but it will be the hitting that determines his team’s fate.
“The thing that’s kept our team going is that 1-9 we been solid,” Fiztgerald said. “When we’ve needed a hit, its come from everybody. Our girls tend to step up and get it done.”
Fitzgerald, who has been through this process before with his son, knows the importance of the girls bonding with teammates.
“The girls, they laugh, they have fun together,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s something I learned from experience with the boys side. It just makes the girls want to compete.”