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Breaking down OHSAA district softball tournaments for Greater Akron's high school teams

michael leonard, akron beacon journal
·4 min read
Tallmadge first baseman Kathryn Headrick tries to make the play at first during a game earlier this season.
Tallmadge first baseman Kathryn Headrick tries to make the play at first during a game earlier this season.

It's time to get into the pitching circle.

OHSAA postseason softball opens on Saturday with championship weekend set for May 30 to June 1 at Firestone Stadium.

Last year Tallmadge found its groove and rode it all the way to the Division II state title. Can the Blue Devils repeat or will there be other local teams at Firestone?

Here's a district-by-district breakdown for all of Greater Akron high school softball teams:

Nordonia's Haydn Paul celebrates as she rounds the bases after hitting a home run Saturday in Hudson.
Nordonia's Haydn Paul celebrates as she rounds the bases after hitting a home run Saturday in Hudson.

Division I, Northeast 1 Mentor District

Greater Akron teams: No. 23 Nordonia, No. 28 Hudson, No. 29 Kent Roosevelt

Favorite: No. 3 Louisville. The Leopards have only three losses against arguably the toughest schedule in Northeast Ohio. They will be ready for any challenges.

Dark horse: No. 4 North Canton Hoover. This horse isn't too dark as the Vikings always play well in the postseason. The eight-time state champions just know how to play in May.

Ellet Emily Kearns catches a fly ball for an out against Firestone during their game at Firestone Stadium on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Akron.
Ellet Emily Kearns catches a fly ball for an out against Firestone during their game at Firestone Stadium on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Akron.

Division I, Northeast 2 Youngstown District

Greater Akron teams: No. 15 Ellet, No. 17 Cuyahoga Falls, No. 18 Green, No. 23 Stow

Favorite: No. 1 Austintown Fitch. The defending Division I state champion returns a ton of talent and are back in the state's top 10 again.

Dark horse: No. 6 Chardon. The Hilltoppers occupy the top seed on the bottom half of the bracket, but could face a tricky sectional final game against the winner of the May 6 Stow-Falls game.

Walsh Jesuit pitcher Natalie Susa, left, shakes hands with catcher Caleigh Shaulis in between innings of a 2022 Division I district final in Massillon.
Walsh Jesuit pitcher Natalie Susa, left, shakes hands with catcher Caleigh Shaulis in between innings of a 2022 Division I district final in Massillon.

Division I, Northeast 3 Massillon District

Greater Akron teams: No. 2 Walsh Jesuit, No. 14 Archishop Hoban, No. 26 Twinsburg, No. 35 Akron Garfield

Favorite: Walsh. Not much debate here. The undefeated Warriors have won two straight district titles and want a lot more. Walsh is led by Minnesota recruit Natalie Susa, who was the 2022 Greater Akron player of the year.

Dark horse: Hoban. Anything can happen in a rivalry game. If the seeds hold, Hoban will get a chance to foil the Warriors in the district semifinals.

Firestone Breonna Potter steals home on a passed ball as Ellet pitcher Rylie Sprouse covers the plate during their game at Firestone Stadium on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Akron.
Firestone Breonna Potter steals home on a passed ball as Ellet pitcher Rylie Sprouse covers the plate during their game at Firestone Stadium on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Akron.

Division I, Northeast 4 Berea District

Greater Akron teams: No. 7 Medina Highland, No. 23 Firestone, No. 24 Barberton

Favorite: No. 2 Amherst Steele. Ranked in the top 10 in the Division I coaches poll, Steele will be postseason ready after playing through a tough schedule in the Southwestern Conference.

Dark horse: Highland. Talk about postseason ready. The Hornets are above .500 in the loaded Suburban League American Conference. If the seeds hold, Highland will face Steele in a district semifinal.

Division I, Northeast 6 North Ridgeville District

Greater Akron teams: No. 18 Wadsworth, No. 22 Revere

Favorite: No. 4 North Ridgeville. Playing in the Southwestern Conference, the Rangers will be battle tested. The chance to play district games on their home field will motivate them.

Dark horse: No. 5 Berea Midpark. Another SWC mainstay, the Titans swept North Ridgeville during the regular season in two tight games.

STVM second baseman Kennedy Brophy, top, tags out Coventry baserunner Rylee Hillyard during the sixth inning of a Division II district final softball game at Willig Park, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Canton, Ohio.
STVM second baseman Kennedy Brophy, top, tags out Coventry baserunner Rylee Hillyard during the sixth inning of a Division II district final softball game at Willig Park, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Canton, Ohio.

Division II, Northeast 3 Canton District

Greater Akron teams: No. 4 St. Vincent-St. Mary, No. 5 Coventry, No. 9 Norton

Favorite: STVM. After winning the district title last year, the Irish are hungry for more. STVM will ride the bat of Avarie Mays as far as they can.

Dark horse: Coventry. Led by pitcher Madison Burkhart, the Comets have had a roller-coaster season. If the seeds hold, Coventry will face STVM in the district semifinals.

Tallmadge relief pitcher Larisa Taylor readies a pitch against Aurora Tallmadge during their game at Tallmadge High School on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in Tallmadge.
Tallmadge relief pitcher Larisa Taylor readies a pitch against Aurora Tallmadge during their game at Tallmadge High School on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in Tallmadge.

Division II, Northeast 4 Firestone District

Greater Akron teams: No. 1 Tallmadge, No. 8 Copley, No. 24 Woodridge, No. 26 Akron East

Favorite: Tallmadge. The defending Division II state champion has had a bit of an up-and-down season, but coach Brittany Lightel and Co. always play their best ball in the postseason. Any roster with the likes of Sydney Becks and Riley Jackson on it is dangerous.

Dark horse: Copley. Anyone up for an all Suburban League American Conference final? Copley has the top seed on the bottom half of the bracket and knows the Blue Devils well.

Division II, Northeast 5 Tri-C West District

Greater Akron teams: No. 11 Springfield, No. 21 CVCA

Favorite: No. 3 Elyria Catholic. The Panthers are in a dogfight for Great Lakes Conference title and want to repeat as district champions. EC is led by power hitters Savannah Dixon and Hannah Brooks.

Dark horse: Springfield. Softball still matters in southeast Akron, and the Spartans have been trying to get back to their glory days. Springfield has its own dynamic duo in Alyssa Hochstetler and Destiny Ruggiero.

Division III, Northeast 4 Wellington District

Greater Akron teams: No. 3 Manchester

Favorite: Manchester. The Panthers has been red hot down the stretch. After reaching the district final last year, Manchester hopes to follow pitcher Rachel Baker to the title this year.

Dark horse: No. 7 Lagrange Keystone. Keystone has plenty of experience in big postseason games, having won five state titles since 2006. The Wildcats are on the other side of the bracket from Manchester.

Mogadore pitcher Katie Gardner turns to make a play at first base during a game against Rootstown earlier this season.
Mogadore pitcher Katie Gardner turns to make a play at first base during a game against Rootstown earlier this season.

Division IV, Northeast 3 Dalton District

Greater Akron teams: No. 2 Mogadore

Favorite: Mogadore. The Wildcats' schedule includes plenty of larger schools to prepare for the postseason. The Portage Trail Conference champions have an All-Ohio battery in pitcher Katie Gardner and catcher Olivia Kidd.

Dark horse: No. 6 seed Southington Chalker. Considering Chalker is half the size of Mogadore, it's impossible not to root for the smaller Wildcats. The Trumbull County-based school has a chance to write a great story.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Greater Akron set for OHSAA softball playoffs this weekend