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Springfield softball finishes with one of Ohio’s all-time home run totals
Two years ago, the Springfield softball team hit a school-record 45 homers as the Blue Devils made a run to the state final game. With six freshmen from that 2022 team now juniors with tons of varsity experience, Springfield coach Rob Gwozdz knew coming into this year that his hard-hitting group could threaten that mark. Featuring a lineup as deep as it is powerful, Springfield bashed 54 home runs this year, with nine of the 14 players on the varsity roster going deep this season. “It starts in the weight room,” Gwozdz said. “We take it very, very seriously in the winter to get bigger and stronger, and our approach is to hit line drives up the middle. That's how we focus. These kids play great travel ball all year round. We don't mess with their swings too much, maybe with mechanics and timing a little tiny bit. But we focus on hitting line drives up the middle and then watch it fly.”
Hodges looks to make his mark as girls basketball coach at Central Catholic
After overseeing an impressive program turnaround as girls basketball coach at Springfield High School, Clifton Hodges has moved over to Central Catholic and facing a different starting-point dynamic with the Fighting Irish. Hodges, who was announced last week as the Irish girls coach, inherits a program that graduated senior standouts in forward Brooklyn Vaughn and guard Corniya Clay. But, Hodges has several other experienced players set to return in 2024-25. “Obviously, [Hodges] has a great track record from making Springfield a very relevant player in the Northern Lakes League, and taking them to a regional final appearance,” Central athletic director Greg Dempsey said. “He had a lot of success in building something, he has great energy and passion for the sport, and he presented a great vision and plan to execute that vision with our program.” In five seasons as Springfield's head coach, Hodges had a 60-57 record overall, including 35-29 in Northern Lakes League play. His tenure included back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23, and a run to the 2023 Division I regional final. He stepped away after the 2023-24 season.
Determined Kenton Ridge ends memorable run for Granville softball
FAIRBORN ― Timing is everything, especially in a showdown for a state tournament berth. And Friday evening at Wright State, the time was right for Springfield Kenton Ridge. After losing in the Division II regional finals the past two seasons, to Greenville last year on the same field and to Jonathan Alder at...
St. Charles goes 5 sets, falls to McNicholas in OHSAA boys volleyball state championship
SPRINGFIELD – The St. Charles boys volleyball team was denied the program's third Division II state title in a five-set marathon Sunday against Cincinnati McNicholas at Wittenberg University. The Rockets rallied from two one-set deficits to edge St. Charles 21-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-16, 15-11 to win their first state championship. McNicholas lost to...
Liberty Union hangs on against Miami East and punches ticket to state tournament
CENTERVILLE – The Liberty Union softball team held a 9-1 advantage and looked to be cruising in their Division III regional final game against Casstown Miami East on Friday. However, things got a little tense when Miami East scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning, but the Lions were able to hold on for a 9-7 victory at Centerville High School and punch their ticket to state final four.
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