Thursday, May 25, 2017
By Tom Williams
MASSILLON
How impressive was Champion’s six-inning 11-0 softball victory over Cardinal Mooney in Wednesday’s Division III regional semifinal?
“[It’s a] tribute to [Champion head coach] Cheryl [Weaver] and her team that that’s the best softball team I’ve seen in 26 years,” Mooney head coach Mark Rinehart said.
Champion senior McKenzie Zigmont (18-1) tossed a two-hitter, striking out eight and walking two to send her team to its fourth regional final in seven seasons. Champion won state titles in 2011, 2012 and 2015.
Zigmont said she benefitted from knowing how her friend, South Range ace Caragyn Yanek, pitches. In last week’s district semifinal, Mooney (18-7) produced 15 hits in an 8-3 win over South Range.
“She throws a lot inside,” Zigmont said of Yanek. “I knew if they were hitting that inside pitch that I’d be good with my outside [pitches], my curves.”
Trailing 5-0, Brooke Chandler and Katie Perry — Mooney’s eighth and ninth batters — singled to load the bases with no outs in the third inning. Zigmont struck out C.J. Sapp and Jordan McLay then retired Conchetta Rinaldi with a flyout to right fielder Abbi Grace.
Offensively, the Golden Flashes (29-2, winners of the All-American Conference Blue Tier) produced 14 hits against Kayla Rutherford. In her previous 15 innings against South Range and Columbiana, the Cardinals ace had allowed just one run.
Freshman Allison Smith homered twice. She opened the game with a sharp hit down the third-base line that smacked off Sapp’s glove for a single.
An out later, Megan Turner doubled to left-center field to send Smith home. Zigmont and Hannah Gresch also singled and Carli Swipas doubled for a 4-0 lead before Zigmont took the mound.
“It takes so much pressure off,” Zigmont said of the lead. “Breathing room — it’s so nice. If someone gets a hit, I don’t have to dwell on it.”
Saturday at noon, the Golden Flashes will play Massillon Tuslaw, which needed 13 innings to defeat Elyria Catholic in the first semifinal that finished in the rain.
Weaver, Champion’s head coach for 18 seasons, said she didn’t mind seeing her players dancing as their start was delayed.
“You’ve got to stay loose and it keeps them moving, too,” Weaver said. “The girls were ready, this is what they’ve been dreaming of — the goal was to get back.
“McKenzie has put it in their heads that there’s nothing like [a state run].”
Turner, the junior shortstop who also hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, said last year’s loss to South Range in a regional semifinal has the Flashes motivated. South Range finished state runner-up in 2016.
“We definitely wanted to redeem ourselves,” said Turner, a starter on the 2015 team.
The Cardinals lose Sweeney, McLay and Adrianna Popovich to graduation.
“Wonderful ambassadors for Cardinal Mooney,” said Rinehart of his seniors. “Their leadership is admirable. We’re going to miss them.”
Mooney pulled off a very unusual double play in the third inning, getting two in a rundown. With Zigmont on third, Gresch stole second base as shortstop Bridget Sweeney threw back to catcher Rinaldi. Zigmont was tagged out trying to scramble back to third. Sapp noticed Gresch hung up between second and third. Her relay to center fielder McLay covering at second was returned in time for Sapp to tag Gresch.