Area’s best softball players square off in Sferra Classic

June 16, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Cheryl Weaver has worked with talented softball players enough to know those used to playing all the time aren’t prepared for sitting.

That’s why the Champion High School softball head coach has decided to split her Trumbull County roster in half for today’s Bill Sferra Fast-Pitch Classic doubleheader at Youngstown State University’s softball complex.

Weaver, whose Golden Flashes earlier this month won their third Division III state championship in five seasons, said Canfield coach Ray Melewski, the Mahoning County head coach, also is going to split his squad of seniors.

Weaver’s Trumbull squad is loaded with pitchers, starting with Champion ace Haylee Gardiner who tossed a two-hit shutout in a 4-0 victory over Bloom-Carroll in the state championship game on June 6 at Akron’s Firestone Stadium. Also playing for Trumbull is Champion third baseman Brittany Allen. Trumbull also has Mathews pitcher Cheyenne Eggens (University of South Florida) who led the Mustangs to the Division IV regional at Kent State University. In the semifinal, Eggens outdueled Western Reserve’s Aleah Hughes in a showdown of local teams. The Mustangs then fell, 4-3, to Cuyahoga Heights in the regional final. Mathews first baseman Marissa O’Dell will play for Trumbull.

Weaver also has LaBrae pitcher Emily Dugan on her squad.

Hughes is on the Mahoning team, along with teammates Tory White (catcher) and Abby Hemphill (outfielder).

Melewski’s squad will be well-represented by his Cardinals and South Range players. Both teams were regional qualifiers.

Canfield players are shortstop Rachel Tinkey, pitcher Alison Fabry, outfielder Kara Rothbauer and outfielder Marina Sturgeon.

Outfielder Jordan Youngs, shortstop Sarah Moretti and infielder Taylor Helon will represent South Range.

Poland, which lost to Canfield in the district final, will send infielder Brielle Nocera, catcher Jenna Schettler and outfielder Amanda Kabetso.

For Trumbull County, Newton Falls will be represented by outfielder Brooklyn Bungard and second baseman Madison Spahlinger. The Tigers lost to South Range, 9-7, in nine innings in the district final.

Hubbard infielders Caitlin O’Hara and Taylor Barton are on the Trumbull squad as are Brookfield’s Destiny May (first base) and Ciara Rotunno (outfield).

The first game will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost for $5 for adults and $3 for students.