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Canfield’s Tinkey set for final softball season
Canfield’s Tinkey set for final diamond season
By Tom Williams
CANFIELD
Like the rest of the Mahoning Valley’s senior spring athletes, the final varsity season is about to begin for Canfield’s Rachel Tinkey.
She, however, is not your typical athlete. A four-year starter at point guard on the varsity girls basketball team, Tinkey also is a four-year starter at shortstop for the varsity softball team.
She shows appreciation for the accomplishments of others. About the West Branch girls basketball team going to state, Tinkey said, “An incredible feat — it’s great to see your peers and someone local get a chance to make history. I couldn’t be happier for them.”
Tinkey even baby-sits for the softball coach of Canfield’s top rival (Poland’s Matt Campbell).
Athletes with gifts of respect and trust are to be treasured.
“To get to coach a player like that, it’s a dream come true,” Canfield softball coach Ray Melewski said. “She is everything you want an athlete to be, as far as attitude, work ethic and team leader.
“She’ll do anything you ask her to do.”
Weather-permitting, Canfield’s softball season will open today with a game at Boardman.
During Monday’s practice, Tinkey said she’ll continue her athletic career by playing basketball in college and she’s narrowed down her choices to Mount Union and Westminster. A decision is likely by mid-April.
She has two high school basketball games remaining: Wednesday’s Al Beach Classic at Boardman High School and the North-South All-Star Game on April 19 at Capital University in Columbus.
Her basketball coach, Matt Reel, advised her that she was eligible to be invited for the latter.
“I am very humbled and excited to play in a [game] where most of the players are better than I am,” Tinkey said. “It’s just an incredible honor that I was even considered.”
She’s anticipating the Beach Classic.
“The senior class this year has just been incredible,” said Tinkey, citing West Branch’s Melinda Trimmer who has a scholarship to Youngstown State. “Division I player, incredible athlete.
“It’s just going to be fun to play with people you’ve been competing with since freshman year.”
With graduation just around the corner, Tinkey said she feels “a little surreal right now. I’m just trying to go day-by-day and enjoy [each game] as much as possible.
“The atmosphere Canfield has created in both programs has molded me into the person that I am today. They’ve really created second families with my teammates and coaches. I’m just trying to savor that as much as I possibly can.”
Expectations are high for the Cardinals, who have eight letter-winners returning from a Division II regional team. First baseman Darby Cockrell and Kara Rothbauer will be earning their fourth varsity letters.
Last season, Canfield finished runner-up to Poland in the Division II Alliance district. The Cards have hopes of becoming the first area softball team to qualify for state since Champion, Mathews and Poland all did so in 2012.
Next up is a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Tinkey said.
In addition to playing one of the host schools (Andrews), Melewski said Canfield will play Columbus DeSales and teams from New Jersey and Staten Island, N.Y.
Tinkey’s role models during her freshman year included Sarah Vrabel, Sabrina Mangapora and Abby Baker. Now she’s wearing the mentor shoes.
“They did such a good job of demonstrating leadership skills and how you carry yourself,” Tinkey said. “I hope it has rubbed off on me to where I can be there for the younger kids.”
The trust the Campbell family shows in Tinkey suggests it has.