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Greater Akron softball teams to watch in 2023 OHSAA tournament

michael beaven, akron beacon journal
·9 min read
Green pitcher Avery Robinson throws a pitch against Walsh Jesuit on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Green.
Green pitcher Avery Robinson throws a pitch against Walsh Jesuit on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Green.

The high school softball postseason is underway across the state of Ohio.

The Greater Akron area is loaded with talented teams and players.

Here is a look at 12 area teams in alphabetical order that hope to make a run at winning a state championship at Firestone Stadium in Akron:

Akron softball coverage: Determined Hoban softball team ready to take a bite out of the Division I opposition

Hoban catcher Sidney Conti and pitcher Faith Porter have the Knights rolling at the Division I level this season.
Hoban catcher Sidney Conti and pitcher Faith Porter have the Knights rolling at the Division I level this season.

ARCHBISHOP HOBAN

Record: 15-6

Regular starters: Faith Porter, Sr., P; Sidney Conti, Sr., C; Nylah Durham, Sr., SS; Kennedy Bray, Sr., 2B; Robyn Ryan, Sr., 1B; Lacie Quarles, Sr., CF; Mackenzie Wood, Sr., RF; Taylor Gerring, Jr., LF; Giulia Scaglione, Jr., 3B

Standout statistics: Conti (.500 BA, 26 RBIs), Durham (.467, 24 runs), Quarles (.410, 19 runs) and Porter (15-6, 165 strikeouts, 129 innings, ERA around 2.00)

Standout moments: Coach Kevin Yun said Hoban’s best wins in the regular season are over Jackson, Brunswick, Brecksville, Perry County Central (Kentucky) and St. Bede Academy (Illinois).

Akron softball coverage: Robyn Ryan, Ellie Hardman power Hoban to Division II softball district championship win

Brecksville right fielder Kaleigh Urbanowicz gets under a fly ball hit by Stow batter Makayla Huddleston during the seventh inning of a softball game on Wednesday.
Brecksville right fielder Kaleigh Urbanowicz gets under a fly ball hit by Stow batter Makayla Huddleston during the seventh inning of a softball game on Wednesday.

BRECKSVILLE

Records: 19-3 overall, 13-0 Suburban League National Conference

Regular starters: Anna Wise, Jr., P; Brooklyn Kimball, Sr., C; Stephanie Myers, Sr., 1B; Rachel Rosselot, Sr., 2B; Zoe Parks, Jr., SS; Gianna Roth, Soph., 3B; Miranda Roth, Sr., LF; Kaleigh Urbanowicz, Sr., CF; Rowan Hauer, Sr., RF; Emma Cozza, Jr., P

Standout statistics: Wise (.578, .859 slugging percentage; 145 strikeouts pitching), Myers (.479) and Urbanowicz (.527, 37 stolen bases)

Standout moments: Coach Josie Adams said Brecksville’s best wins in the regular season are two apiece over Stow and Wadsworth and one each over Boardman, Amherst Steele and North Royalton.

Akron softball coverage: Brecksville's Anna Wise, Chelsea Mack, Mogadore's Olivia Kidd named All-Ohio in softball

Copley third baseman Sammy Gingras throws to first to put out Tallmadge batter Leila Staszak during the fifth inning of a Division II district semifinal softball game in Canton on Tuesday.
Copley third baseman Sammy Gingras throws to first to put out Tallmadge batter Leila Staszak during the fifth inning of a Division II district semifinal softball game in Canton on Tuesday.

COPLEY

Records: 10-12 overall, 8-5 Suburban League American Conference

Regular starters: Caroline Deagan, Soph., P; Katie Conover, Sr., C; Sammy Gingras, Sr., 3B; Sydney Leach, Jr., SS; Adrianne Chmielewski, Jr., 2B; Bella Burch, Jr., 1B-C; Addy Stewart, Soph., 1B; Jayce Collins, Soph., LF-P; Morgan Beach, Jr., CF; Sophia Rohr, Sr., RF; Carmen Cunat, Soph., DP-OF

Standout statistics: Gingras (.515, six home runs, 26 RBIs), Cunat (.388, 16 RBIs), Conover (.361, 16 runs), Leach (.317, 16 runs) and Collins (four home runs, 21 RBIs)

Standout moments: Coach Leigh Ann Bauer said Copley’s best wins in the regular season are over Revere.

Akron softball coverage: Copley hires alum Leigh Ann Bauer to lead softball team

Coventry’s Alexis Jackson delivers a pitch against Revere during their Division II district semifinal game at Willig Park Tuesday, May 18,, 2021 in Canton, Ohio.
Coventry’s Alexis Jackson delivers a pitch against Revere during their Division II district semifinal game at Willig Park Tuesday, May 18,, 2021 in Canton, Ohio.

COVENTRY

Records: 17-5 overall, 10-2 Metro Athletic Conference

Regular starters: Lexi Dimeff, Sr., 2B; Maddi Belknap, Sr., CF; Savannah Regan, Soph., SS; Alexis Jackson, Sr., 1B-P; Madi Burkhart, Jr., 1B-P; Bella Smith, Fr., 3B; Alonna Monroe, Fr., C; Jordyn Rafferty, Sr., RF; Rylee Hillyard, Fr., LF

Standout statistics: Dimeff (.514, 38 hits, 38 runs, two home runs, 18 RBIs), Jackson (.486, 35 hits, two home runs, 34 RBIs, 34 runs), Burkhart (.486, 34 hits, seven home runs, 44 RBIs, 26 runs), Belknap (.480, 36 hits, 38 runs, 21 RBIs) and Regan (.474, 37 hits, 41 runs, 30 RBIs)

Standout moments: Coach Wilmer Caraballo said Coventry’s best wins in the regular season are over Springfield and Alliance. The Comets and Spartans split in the regular season.

Akron softball coverage: Green means go: Bulldogs softball loaded and looking at a state championship run

Green's Kylie Gorsuch is headed to Cleveland State in the fall, but the Bulldogs are hoping for an all-state repeat performance from last year this spring.
Green's Kylie Gorsuch is headed to Cleveland State in the fall, but the Bulldogs are hoping for an all-state repeat performance from last year this spring.

GREEN

Records: 15-1 overall, 11-0 Federal League

Regular starters: Avery Robinson, Sr., P; Kylie Gorsuch, Sr., C; McKenzie Collinsworth, Jr., 1B; Mallory Gearhart, Jr., 2B; Juliana Barker, Sr., 3B; Brooke Heisroth, Sr., SS; Kassidy Gorsuch, Jr., LF; Kaylie Duskey, Sr., CF; Marissa Redford, Sr., RF

Standout statistics: Robinson (13-1, 1.21 ERA, 123 strikeouts, 92⅔ innings; .460 BA, 23 hits, two home runs, 12 RBIs), Kylie Gorsuch (.481, 26 hits, six home runs, 26 RBIs), Collinsworth (.407, 24 hits, five home runs, 23 RBIs, 21 runs), Gearhart (.375, 18 runs), Kassidy Gorsuch (.361, 19 runs), Heisroth (over .310, 15 RBIs, two home runs) and Duskey (over .310, 15 RBIs)

Standout moments: Green has clinched the Federal League title with two wins apiece over Jackson and North Canton Hoover. Coach Sarah Gerber said Green’s best nonleague wins in the regular season are over Walsh Jesuit and Tallmadge.

Manchester's Alli Hodgkinson is out at second during the Div. III District semifinal softball game between Northwestern and Manchester at Wellington Community Park on May 17, 2022.
Manchester's Alli Hodgkinson is out at second during the Div. III District semifinal softball game between Northwestern and Manchester at Wellington Community Park on May 17, 2022.

MANCHESTER

Records: 16-2 overall, 12-1 PAC-7

Regular starters: Alli Hodgkinson, Soph., C; Cassie Perry, Fr., 2B-P; Kyia Rankin, Fr., SS; Cayleigh Bowe, Soph., 3B; Grace Bowe, Sr., 1B; Corinne Hite, Sr., LF; Rachel Baker, Soph., P; Lilly Konen, Soph., CF; Amanda Akins, Jr.; RF; Courtney Perry, Jr., OF-DH

Standout statistics: Baker (12-1, 1.40 ERA, 128 strikeouts, 80 innings; .480, 21 runs, 16 RBIs), Perry (.490, 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, 29 runs), Hodgkinson (.417, 23 runs, 11 RBIs), Grace Bowe (.438, 13 runs, 13 RBIs) and Rankin (.412, 19 runs, 18 RBIs).

Standout moments: Coach Jim Morehart said Manchester’s best win in the regular season is over Triway, the reigning Division II state champion. The Panthers split with the Titans. Manchester has outscored opponents 216-30.

Akron softball coverage: Summit County high school softball: 15 players to watch in 2023

Katie Gardner steps into the batter's box. Rootstown hosted Mogadore for softball on Tuesday, April 11.
Katie Gardner steps into the batter's box. Rootstown hosted Mogadore for softball on Tuesday, April 11.

MOGADORE

Records: 15-3 overall, 6-1 Portage Trail Conference

Regular starters: Katie Gardner, Jr., P; Olivia Kidd, Jr., C; Addie Christy, Soph., P-1B; Mckenna Whitehead, Sr., 2B; Lily Hotchkiss, Soph., SS; MJ Shellenbarger, Fr., 3B; Rylee Clark, Fr., LF; Gracie Funk, Soph., CF; Savannah Thomas, Jr., RF; Jayden Miller, Fr., DH

Standout statistics: Gardner (10-2, 1.63 ERA , 89 strikeouts, 73 innings), Christy (5-1, 1.94 ERA, 41 strikeouts, 36 innings) Gardner (.571, 36 hits, 32 runs, 14 RBIs), Christy (.407, 24 hits, 17 runs, 14 RBIs), Kidd (.646, 42 hits, 24 RBIs, 17 runs), Hotchkiss (.436) and Clark (.418)

Standout moments: Coach Jeff Fankhauser said “every win is a good win, but it’s the losses and how we respond during the game and the days that follow that have made us a better team.”

Kate Kujawski, St. Vincent-St. Mary
Kate Kujawski, St. Vincent-St. Mary

ST. VINCENT-ST. MARY

Records: 10-5

Regular starters: Kate Kujawski, Sr., CF; Ella Kim, Fr., LF; Jane Clark, Sr., SS; Avarie Mays, Soph., 1B; Kaidyn Schrader, Jr., P; Nori Talley, Sr., P-OF; Sydney Shaker, Jr., C; Brenna Campbell, Jr., 3B; Kylie Stewart, Sr., RF; Kennedy Brophy, Soph., 2B

Standout statistics: Kujawski (.529 as a leadoff hitter, 21 runs, 15 RBI; no errors on defense and has thrown out eight baserunners — three at the plate, three at second base and two at third base), Schrader (.415, 14 RBI; 7-4 in the circle), Mays (.412, three home runs, 16 RBIs, 13 runs) Talley (.389, two home runs, 11 RBIs, 15 runs) and Clark (.363, two home runs, 15 RBIs, 15 runs)

Standout moments: Coach Charlie Schrader said STVM’s best wins in the regular season are over Gilmour Academy, Norton, Cloverleaf, Ellet and Massillon.

Akron softball coverage: The Perfect Storm: Springfield softball has great one-two punch in Hochstetler, Ruggiero

Alyssa Hochstetler of Springfield applauds her teammate Erin Stubbs after Stubbs hit a three-run double during the seventh inning of a 2022 Division II district semifinal at Firestone Stadium.
Alyssa Hochstetler of Springfield applauds her teammate Erin Stubbs after Stubbs hit a three-run double during the seventh inning of a 2022 Division II district semifinal at Firestone Stadium.

SPRINGFIELD

Records: 14-4, 7-2 Metro Athletic Conference

Regular starters: Alyssa Hochstetler, Jr., 2B; Tia Holmes, Jr., 1B; Morgan Miller, Sr., LF; Destiny Ruggiero, Jr., CF; Breanna Ruggiero, Fr., 3B; Kendall Crytzer, Soph., SS; Carsen Jones, Sr., RF; Sydney Hillyard, Jr., P; Melaena Martin, Soph., C; Grace Ritterbeck, Jr., RF

Standout statistics: Hillyard (11-2, 2.55 ERA; .411, 23 hits, 19 RBIs, 11 runs), Hochstetler (.551, 38 hits, 37 runs, 10 RBIs, 24 stolen bases) Breanna Ruggiero (.533, 32 hits, 24 RBIs, 24 runs), Destiny Ruggiero (.531, 34 hits, eight home runs, five triples, five doubles, 35 RBIs, 33 runs) and Crytzer (.522, 36 hits, 34 runs, 19 RBIs)

Standout moments: Coach Shane Curry said Springfield won three of four games in a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach, and has wins over Coventry and Field. “Field had won 28 league games in a row until our win, so that was a very big win for us,” Curry said.

Akron softball coverage: A fractured back could have held Makayla Huddleston down; the Stow star used it to succeed

Stow's Makayla Huddleston eyes the plate during a game against Hudson on Friday, April 14, 2023.
Stow's Makayla Huddleston eyes the plate during a game against Hudson on Friday, April 14, 2023.

STOW

Records: 13-8 overall, 6-4 Suburban League National Conference

Regular starters: Makayla Huddleston, Sr., P; Kenzie Orosz, Soph., C; Emma Oshel, Jr., 1B; Natalie Kopczak, Sr., 2B; Aaliyah Thammachack, Soph., SS; Erin Dodd, Jr., 3B; Lexi Watson, Fr., LF; Lily Chambers, Jr., CF; Casey Marousch, Sr., RF; Tarah Bentley, Fr., DP

Standout statistics: Huddleston (11-7, 1.55 ERA, 187 strikeouts, 108 innings; .429, 27 hits, 15 RBIs), Oshel (team-best .534, 39 hits, 15 doubles, three home runs, 29 RBIs, 25 runs), Orosz (.426, 23 hits, 12 runs, 11 RBIs) and Kopczak (.347, 26 hits, two home runs, 23 runs, 22 RBIs)

Standout moments: Coach Cyla Geopfert said two wins over Wadsworth and single wins over Twinsburg, Field and Brunswick highlight the regular season.

Akron softball coverage: Queen is a must read on the softball field and off it as an editor for The Devils' Tale

Tallmadge shortstop Ashlyn Severns chases down a ball hit by Copley batter Amanda Lillis during the fourth inning of a Division II district semifinal softball game in Canton on Tuesday.
Tallmadge shortstop Ashlyn Severns chases down a ball hit by Copley batter Amanda Lillis during the fourth inning of a Division II district semifinal softball game in Canton on Tuesday.

TALLMADGE

Records: 14-7 overall; 10-1 Suburban League American Conference

Regular starters: Jocelyn Caffelle, Sr., 1B-RF; Marley Queen, Sr., LF; Emma Garbinsky, Sr., 2B; Ashlyn Severns, Jr., SS; Lexi Gray, Jr., C; Sydney Becks, Jr., CF; Riley Jackson, Jr., P; Mia Zappola, Jr., P-OF; Kathryn Headrick, Jr., 1B

Standout statistics: Caffelle (.517, 31 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, 20 RBIs, 19 runs) and Severns (.406, 26 hits, 22 RBIs, 19 runs)

Standout moments: Coach Brittany Lightel is guiding a team that is without its top player, injured senior Zoe Rensel, but Tallmadge continues to be a competitive team with a winning record entering the postseason.

Akron softball coverage: College Softball Recruiting: Walsh Jesuit's Natalie Susa commits to Minnesota

Walsh Jesuit batter Sienna Tepley connects with a pitch for single against Boardman during the first inning of a Division I district championship softball game last season.
Walsh Jesuit batter Sienna Tepley connects with a pitch for single against Boardman during the first inning of a Division I district championship softball game last season.

WALSH JESUIT

Records: 11-5 overall, 7-0 Crown Conference

Regular starters: Caleigh Shaulis, Soph., C; McKayla McGee, Soph., P; Zoey Schmitt, Jr., 1B-OF-C; Bri Wise, Jr., 2B; Keeley Clinton, Sr., SS; Sienna Tepley, Jr., 3B; Ella Girard, Fr., OF; Jenna Passek, Sr., OF; Natalie Eich, Jr., OF

Standout statistics: Schmitt (.606), Shaulis (.556, four home runs, 24 RBIs), Tepley (.500, 22 runs), McGee (.425, four home runs) and Girard (.364, 15 runs)

Standout moments: Coach Tony Scibelli said wins over Perry and Louisville are among Walsh’s best in the regular season. The Warriors lost pitcher Natalie Susa to a knee injury. “It has had an impact on our team, but we are fighting through it,” Scibelli said.

Check out the Canton Repository for details on Jackson, North Canton Hoover, Marlington, Alliance, Tuslaw, Lake Center Christian and Canton Central Catholic; the Kent-Ravenna Record Courier for information on Aurora, Field and Rootstown and the Wooster Daily Record for details on Triway, Hillsdale, Northwestern, Norwayne and Dalton.

Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.

Springfield center fielder Destiny Ruggiero flashes a heart before stepping up to the plate in 2022. The Spartans are hoping for a repeat season from their standout.
Springfield center fielder Destiny Ruggiero flashes a heart before stepping up to the plate in 2022. The Spartans are hoping for a repeat season from their standout.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Greater Akron softball teams to watch in 2023 OHSAA tournament