Canfield rally falls short against Polar Bears

Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

CANFIELD

The Canfield softball team had the offense, but fell short to Massillon Jackson 5-4 at McCune Park on Thursday.

Mary Gomez had a home run, two hits and two runs batted in, Bridget Kelly added two doubles and an RBI but Canfield’s three-run, seventh-inning rally wasn't enough.

Trailing 5-1 heading to the seventh inning, Gomez’ second homer of the season cut the Polar Bears’ (8-5) lead to 5-3.

The Cardinals (4-7) cut the deficit to 5-4 on a walk to Kalin Kovach a batter later followed by a run-scoring double by Kelly, her second two-bagger of the game.

“Our team has a really good dynamic in that we never give up,” Kelly said. “Our team is coming together right now. I like a high, inside pitch and both of my hits today were in that spot. Those are my favorite pitches.”

Jackson took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Lexi Eckman bunted her way on, stole second and then raced home on a single by Amanda Oeder.

A solo home run by Sophia Bernard extended the Polar Bears’ lead to 2-0 in the fourth frame only to have Canfield cut the margin to 2-1 when Kelly roped her first double of the game, then scored on Madi Kelly’s double two batters later.

Oeder’s ground out in the fifth inning plated Alayna McMullen in the fourth inning as Jackson opened a 3-1 margin, building a 5-1 advantage in the seventh stanza when McMullen. McMullen opened the inning with a single, scored on a wild pitch and Eckman crossed the plate on Oeder’s sacrifice fly, her third RBI of the game.

Freshman Bayann Jadallah, who was pitching in just her second varsity contest, scattered seven hits despite suffering the loss.

“I was pleased with the way that I pitched today. I just wish that I didn’t give up as many hits as I did,” she said. “This is only my second varsity start so I’m pleased with how I pitched.

“I relied on all of my pitches today, especially my screwball. The home run that I gave up came off my screwball, but I was able to get the next batter out on that same pitch.”

Despite suffering their third consecutive setback, Cardinals’ head coach Ray Melewski said his team is headed in the right direction.

“They had us a little impatient at the plate early in the game, swinging at bad pitches and taking first pitches,” Melewski said. “We became more patient and our bats did come around. The last three games Mary [Gomez] has been hitting the ball and seeing it so well. Actually, we took her out of the fifth spot and moved her up to the No. 3 spot because she’s putting the ball in play so much.

“Same thing with Bridgett Kelly. She’s a freshman, struggled at first but the last couple games she’ put the ball in play so we moved into the No. 5 spot.”

Melewski said Jadallah is getting better each time she takes the mound.

“I’m very pleased with her effort. She came up with us when we played [North Canton] Hoover and the first day off junior varsity I threw her in right off the bat. She threw eight strong innings, threw well today and she’s going to be alright.

“I told our team after the game that we’re going in the right direction. We started out slow, had some trouble at the start of the season but we’re starting to click and getting better. We’re going in the right direction at the right time of the season.”

Melewski had no comment when asked about former pitcher KaiLi Gross' transfer to Poland.