Springfield softball in regional for first time in 19 years, join four other area teams

The last time the Springfield softball team won a district title, no one on the current roster was born.

Should history repeat like it did in 2005 , the Spartans would walk home with a state title in a few weeks.

Springfield joined Walsh Jesuit , Aurora , Tallmadge and Mogadore as Greater Akron schools still alive at the regional level.

“It’s all about them and seeing their joy and the fun that they’re having playing softball,” Spartans coach Shane Curry said. “The ride’s been fun.”

That ride came with an 11th seed in Division II and ended at the district level with Springfield beating sixth-seeded Firelands 11-2 to win the Northeast 5 District at Cuyahoga Community College.

“We just kind of went and did our thing and knew if we played Spartans softball, we could come out district champs,” Curry said. “These kids are really excited. They seem to be pumped and ready to go. I’m looking forward to seeing where things go Wednesday.”

Here’s a look at each regional with Greater Akron teams in them:

Youngstown Division I Regional Softball Semifinals

Where: Youngstown State Softball Complex

Who/When: Wednesday – Austintown-Fitch (20-1) vs. Amherst (20-7), 2 p.m.; Walsh Jesuit (21-0) vs. Painesville Riverside (19-9), 5 p.m; Final – 5 p.m. Friday

Greater Akron semifinal storylines: It’s tough not to look ahead to a regional final meeting between state champion Fitch and Walsh. The two met last season in the round of eight. The Falcons won 11-1 but did so with Warriors standout Natalie Susa (injured) on the bench.  Should the two meet again, a battle between Susa and Georgia Tech commit Sydnie Watts would be made-for-TV stuff.

At the semifinal level, The Warriors have won three straight district titles behind standouts in Minnesota pledge Susa (13-0), West Point commit Sienna Tepley (.468, 20 stolen bases), Kent State commit Caleigh Shaulis (.597, 26 RBIs) and Akron pledge McKayla McGee (.492, eight home runs, 37 RBIs).

Riverside counters with Clara Granchi (.449, three home runs, 18 RBIs, 13-4, 10 strikeouts), Milana McCaleb (.418, 16, RBIs) and Rhode Island commit Emi Jaras (.374, 34 RBIs) and is making its first regional appearance since 2007.

Macedonia Division II Regional Softball Semifinals

Where: Nordonia High School

Who/When: Wednesday – Aurora (24-1) vs. Canfield (22-3), 2 p.m.; Buckeye (21-6) vs. Tallmadge (21-7), 5 p.m.; Final – 5 p.m. Friday

Greater Akron semifinal storylines: A Suburban League American Conference rematch would be great, although the Greenmen have run-ruled the reigning state champion Blue Devils in both matchups so far this season.

Aurora has some incredible hitting from McKennah Metzger (.641, 14 home runs, 61 RBIs), Sophie Retton (.605, four, 41), Sophie Schecterman (.567, two, 30), Lailah Bohanan (.520, 27), Sophie Petrash (.494, one, 15) and Madeline Dalessandro (.414, one, 29). Metzger (20-0, 1.07 ERA, 135 strikeouts) holds the school record for career home runs (20).

The Greenmen are playing in their first regional since 2012.

Leah Figueroa (.500, 10 home runs, 36 RBIs) is the hitter to watch for the Cardinals, who are making their third straight regional appearance after a state runner-up showing last season. They return seven starters from that team, including Buffalo commit Malena Toth, who has five no-hitters this season.

Tallmadge is once again led by Riley Jackson (11-5, 1.88 ERA, 120 strikeouts). Leila Staszak (.505, 25 RBIs), Sydney Becks (.400), Ashlyn Severns (.383, 34 RBIs), Lexi Gray (.362, 23 RBIs), Payton Almond (.356, 21 RBIs) and Marissa Charton (.347, 17 RBIs) get it done at the plate.

The Bucks are making their first trip to regional behind standout pitcher Lilly Young (11-3, 164 strikeouts, 1.76 ERA) and stars Madison Lichty (.407, 26 RBIs) and Kelsey Metter (.405, 21).

Shelby Division II Regional Softball Semifinals

Where: Shelby High School

Who/When: Wednesday – Maumee (20-8) vs. Bryan (14-4), 2 p.m.; Springfield (19-7) vs. Lexington (26-2), 5 p.m. Wednesday; Final – 5 p.m. Friday

Greater Akron semifinal storylines: Springfield is in the round of 16 for the first time in 19 years. Lexington won its second district title in three seasons.

Springfield is led by Alyssa Hochstetler (.495), Destiny Ruggiero (.493, 10 home runs, 42 RBIs), Breanna Ruggiero (.442, one, 32 RBIs), Kendall Crytzer (.414, 20 RBIs), Sydney Hillyard (.402, 22 RBIs), Taylor Holmes (.372, 22 RBIs) and Melaena Martin (23 RBIs). Hillyard (13-4, 1.90 ERA, 82 strikeouts) is the Spartans' ace.

Lexington has great hitting by Jillian Morr (.490, three home runs, 18 RBIs), Makaree Chapman (.483, one, 34), Kylie Galownia (.426, 24 RBIs) and Kaylie Eichorn (.425, one, 34) and Kylie Thornton (.360, two, 39). Chapman (15-2, 1.69 ERA, 208 strikeouts) twirls it for the Minutemen.

Berea Division IV Regional Softball Semifinals

Where: Roehm Athletic Complex

Who/When: Wednesday – Canton Central Catholic (10-6) vs. Mogadore (15-6), 2 p.m.; Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic (12-13) vs. Vienna Matthews (21-7), 5 p.m.; Final – 5 p.m. Friday

Greater Akron semifinal storylines: The Wildcats are in their second straight regional semifinal, while the Crusaders haven’t been there since 2012. This is a rematch of last season’s district semifinal won 11-0 by Mogadore.

The Wildcats get it done with Addie Christy (.453, 17 RBIs), Katie Gardner (.434, five home runs, 24 RBIs), Mackenzie Schellenbarger (.373) and Olivia Kidd (.361, three home runs, 25 RBIs). Gardner (11-3, 1.49 ERA, 120 strikeouts) is the ace.

Central Catholic gets it done with the bats. The Crusaders are led by Avery McMahon (.419, five home runs, 26 RBIs), Laurel McMahon (.553), Presley Trbovich (.526, one, 12) and Violet Ellerbrock (.421).

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Springfield softball in regional for first time in 19 years, join four other area teams