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Alder next for Poland’s unbeaten softball team
Bulldogs look
to stay perfect
in D-II state
semifinals
By Greg Gulas
POLAND
At 29-0, the Poland girls softball team is just one win away from tying the record for most wins in program history.
That mark was set by the 2010 team, which went 30-2 and finished as state runner-up.
Two more wins and Poland will not only cap off the program’s first undefeated season, but the Bulldogs will add a second state championship trophy to the one they earned in 2011 when they went 25-2.
Thursday at 3 p.m., Poland will meet Plain City Jonathan Alder in a state semifinal at Akron’s Firestone Stadium.
“You’re one of the final four teams for a reason and this year’s final four field is simply outstanding,” said Bulldogs head coach Jim Serich, who is 57-18 in three seasons.
“One mistake or miscue could spell the difference between winning and losing so you must be on your toes the entire game.
“The key is that we have kids that know the game and can flat out play. We have 12 of 16 players on our roster who have participated in the Junior Little League World Series in Kirkland, Wash., the past three years.”
That Poland team reached the national semifinals in 2016, won a national championship in 2017 and advanced out of pool play before getting eliminated last season.
Ashley Wire, a four-year starter, will get the starting nod against the Pioneers (27-1), who are riding a 23-game winning streak.
Wire is 19-0 with a 1.70 ERA. She has 80 strikeouts and has walked 32. With 11 doubles, Wire is tied for second with shortstop Lauren Sienkiewicz.
“All Ashley has to do is keep doing what she has done all season long and we’ll be in the game all seven innings,” Serich said. “She’s not flashy, simply solid and her statistics bear that out.
“She induces a lot of ground balls and pop-ups while teams we’ve played this season have earned what they’ve gotten off her. She’s great at hitting her spots and has an excellent defense behind her.”
Brooke Bobbey (5-0, 2.30 ERA) also pitches.
Sophomore catcher Camryn Lattanzio will call the game for Wire. She is batting .457 and in less than two seasons of varsity action already ranks in the Top 10 in 12 career offensive categories.
Lattanzio has a team-best 49 RBIs and has struck out just twice in 115 plate appearances.
Ally Nittoli (.374, 39 RBIs and team-best seven home runs) is the first baseman and Abby Farber (.437, 26 runs scored, 24 RBIs) plays second.
Sienkiewicz (.370, 37 RBIs) is the coach on the field at shortstop, according to Serich, while freshman Emily Denny (.377) is the third baseman.
Rachel Wolf and Kenzie Szolec are the left fielders, Bobbey (.413, team-best and school-record 48 runs scored) and Connie Cougras hold down center field with all-around athlete Jackie Grisdale (.417, 10 of 30 hits have gone for doubles) and Tori Moderelli (.308) in right field.
Rounding out the team is Justine Carney, Julia Eich, Amelia Mason and Reagan Sienkiewicz.
Dave McGrew is the head coach of Jonathan Alder. He is 175-55 in eight seasons.
He has led the Pioneers to a state runner-up finish (2014) and the last three final four appearances, but the program is still looking for its first state crown.
“We have eight starters back from last year’s squad and we have a very strong defense,” McGrew said. “We have some good bats, excellent pitching and can play small ball while four players have already registered double digits in stolen bases.
“Our game plan is in place and we’re ready to go.”
Players to keep an eye on include freshman pitcher Marlee Jacobs, who is 23-1 with a 1.51 ERA while allowing just 28 earned runs all season.
Center fielder Lindsay Potter (.440. 44 runs, 32 ERA, six home runs), a junior who has already committed to Ohio State University, was first-team all-state and the Central District player of the year in 2018, Emily Walker (.456, 47 runs, 40 RBIs, seven home runs), a junior shortstop and Ohio University commit and third baseman Jillian Jakse (.529, 14 home runs, 53 RBIs, 35 runs scored), a junior Youngstown State commit are players to keep an eye on.