Champion chases another softball title; YSU hosts D-II district

April 30, 2019 at 12:05a.m.

Champion chases another title; YSU hosts D-II

YOUNGSTOWN

The Champion High School softball team’s pursuit of a third straight state championship relies on the arms of junior pitchers Sophie Howell and Allison Smith.

Smith is quick to credit the players surrounding her.

“Pretty much all you have to do is keep the ball in the park and you know it’s an out,” Smith said. “We have very few errors and if it’s an error, it’s hard-hit ball that took a bad hop or something crazy [happened].

“We practice defense a lot so our defense is what’s going to win us games,” said Smith (8-0) who this season again alternates starts with Howell (7-2).

The Golden Flashes (15-2) are the top seed in the LaBrae Division III district tournament that begins next week. The other seeds are LaBare, Newton Falls and Wickliffe.

“The key is not taking anybody lightly,” Champion head coach Cheryl Weaver said.

South Range also is hosting a Div. III district tournament. South Range has the top seed. The other top seeds are Waterloo, Crestview and Springfield.

The South Range and LaBrae district winners will face off in a Massillon regional semifinal on May 22.

DIVISION II

The best news about this spring’s tournament schedule is the relocation of the Division II tournament from Alliance High School to Youngstown State University’s Softball Complex.

“It’s the nicest venue in the area to play softball,” said Poland head coach Jim Serich, whose Bulldogs (17-0) have the top seed. “College field, turf, crushed brick infield — it’s a great place to watch softball and play softball.”

Serich credited Pat Montana for stepping up and getting the tournament, which features mostly Mahoning and Trumbull county schools.

“You couldn’t ask for a better tournament director — Pat is as good as it gets,” Serich said. “It’s great to get the district tournament back in Mahoning County.”

The district should be extremely competitive. Ursuline (17-2), fresh off a trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., has the second seed. West Branch, last year’s state runner-up, has the third seed and Cardinal Mooney the fourth.

Jefferson also has a Division II district. The top seeds are Jefferson, Perry, Geneva and Lakeview.

DIVISION I

The Mahoning Valley’s four biggest schools will compete in the Solon district. Hudson and Solon have the top seeds. Austintown Fitch has the third seed, Boardman the fourth, Canfield the fifth and Warren Harding the 10th.

DIVISION IV

Warren and Jackson-Milton are hosting districts.

The top seeds at Warren are Bristol, Mathews, Brookfield and Badger.

Lisbon has the top seed for the tournament in North Jackson. The other seeds are McDonald, East Palestine and East Canton.