OHSAA softball regional final: Walsh Jesuit loses to defending state champ Austintown Fitch
YOUNGSTOWN – An already incredible culture became that much better this season with a Walsh Jesuit softball senior class that won’t ever be forgotten.
Although the Warriors lost 8-2 to reigning state champion Austintown Fitch in a Division I regional final at Youngstown State University on Friday, the memories will linger for decades to come.
Walsh Jesuit senior class made softball team elite
Brianna Wise, Natalie Susa, Sienna Tepley and Zoey Schmitt came to Walsh ready to make the Warriors great.
They leave making the Warriors (22-1) nearly impeccable.
“They leave a great legacy,” Walsh coach Tony Scibelli said. “There was a certain culture when they came. There’s a stronger, more positive culture with them leaving. They’ve definitely made this program what it is.”
What it will be in 2025 is a team with a bar left very high by the 22-1 Warriors of 2024.
That senior class reached a district final all four seasons, won three of them and reached the regional final twice.
That it took the Falcons (21-1) and Georgia Tech commit Sydnie Watts to beat them last season and this season shows just how special Walsh was.
“I couldn’t have asked for more,” Wise said. “This year was definitely something else. When we got together, we were all like sisters. We had some bumps but got through it. No matter what, even when I’m four hours away at Cincinnati next year, I know these girls will have my back. We really built a family. It’ll be tough to leave.”
Junior class ready to take the baton for Walsh Jesuit softball
It’s a senior class that leaves with a 73-15 career record and having never lost a Crown Conference game.
More than that, it’s a class that showed everyone how to play the game the right way.
“We didn’t even have to try for it,” Susa said. “It shows on and off the field. Just loving each other off the field translated to the field. It was a team effort and I love everyone, freshmen through seniors.”
Susa was quick to point out that every class contributed to the culture.
A usually stoic Scibelli choked up a bit during the postgame speech.
Juniors Caleigh Shaulis and McKayla McGee know the baton has been passed to them to continue greatness.
“The seniors brought major talent and major positivity to the dugout,” Shaulis said. “They truly are some of my best friends. I want to create a culture next year that’s the same, best friends and family.”
How Austintown Fitch softball beat Walsh Jesuit in a regional final
Fitch showed exactly why it's headed back to Firestone Stadium to play Fairfield, which beat Centerville 1-0.
The Falcons held a 3-0 lead before the floodgates opened in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run home run by Kylie Folkwein followed by a no-doubt homer to center by Watts.
Fitch finished with 13 hits and scored seven of its eight runs with two outs.
Watts (21-1) showed why she’s headed to Georgia Tech with a four-hitter. The right-hander finished with 13 strikeouts and walked six but showed poise to get out of jams.
“She was locating the ball really well,” Shaulis said. “We came in knowing she was a great pitcher. We just never really found our groove."
Watts didn't allow a hit until McKee singled to center to start the fourth inning.
Walsh scored its only two runs when Renee Brown and Ella Girard singled in the seventh and Wise singled to right with two outs to plate both runs.
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Walsh Jesuit softball falls shy of OHSAA softball tournament
