State title trophy is a big hit

By Tom Williams

Shortstop Brittany Danilov called Saturday’s win the best way to end a varsity career.

CANFIELD — After the final game of a stellar varsity career, Canfield pitcher Tricia Bettura hugged her team’s state championship trophy as she walked into the interview room, clutching it tightly with both arms as if it were her prized teddy bear.

Teammates Melissa West and Bryanne Halfhill teased her, suggesting that anyone who wants to see the trophy should visit the Bettura residence.

The trophy was prominently displayed during Canfield’s commencement ceremony on Sunday and it will be visible tonight when the team is honored during a concert on the village green.

The celebratory mood surrounding Canfield High’s first state champion softball team featured sunshine and smiles Saturday after the Cardinals defeated Celina, 6-0, at Firestone Stadium in the Division II title game.

“Our goal this year was to make it to [state] and win,” shortstop Brittany Danilov said. “This is the best way we could possibly end our season. It just feels amazing.”

Senior outfielder Rachel Melewski was nearly speechless.

“There are no words to even describe this feeling,” Melewski said.

Bettura’s left arm was one of the many reasons so many Canfield supporters were smiling. In her final six games, Bettura tossed four shutouts and allowed no earned runs against some of Ohio’s best teams.

“We have an excellent pitcher and the defense behind her was almost flawless,” Canfield head coach Ronie Haurin said. “You put the two together and it takes a team a lot of hits in a row to get runs on us.”

That Canfield’s biggest challenges to winning state came in the district and regional rounds shows how strong softball programs in Northeast Ohio are. (North Canton Hoover, which defeated Canfield 2-0 in a regular-season game, won the Div. I title.)

The only time Canfield trailed in the tournament came in the sixth inning of the district title game against Metro Athletic Conference rival Poland on May 21 at Jefferson.

After splitting their regular-season series, the Bulldogs jumped ahead of the Cardinals in the sixth inning on Liz Maher’s base hit and an outfield error that allowed Jenna Medina to score.

The Cardinals promptly tied the game, 1-1, when Danilov reached base on an error and scored on West’s triple.

An inning later, Mandy Moliterno’s double and Bianca Biondillo’s two-out single produced the winning run, sending the Cardinals to the regional for the third straight year. (In 2006 and 2007, they were eliminated by the eventual Div. I champions.)

About playing Poland, senior pitcher Lauren Sulick said, “You never know what is going to happen. We really pulled through.”

Ten days later, Canfield produced just two hits against Akron Hoban ace Lauren McNeil in the regional final at Firestone Stadium.

But they were two biggies. With the game scoreless in the fifth inning, Halfhill doubled and Moliterno homered to produce the only runs in Canfield’s 2-0 victory.

“To win on a home run, what are the odds of that?” Melewski said. “We got those key hits and that’s what got us here.”

At state, Canfield’s experience in big games added to their talent advantage.

In the semifinal, the Cards faced Clyde’s freshman pitcher Brooke Billings, jumping on her for two runs in the top of the first inning in a 4-1 win.

Celina’s pitcher, Laura Homan, was a senior, but the Bulldogs lineup included two freshmen.

“I could tell when we were warming up that [Celina] had a lot more jitters,” Haurin said. “We were settled in, ready to play. To be honest I was a lot more confident after warm-ups than on the bus ride.”

Acknowledging her team’s big-game experience, Melewski said it was more important that “we were relaxed in the tougher situations. With runners on, Tricia does well with the pressure. We don’t get riled up.”

Leading 2-0 in the fifth inning, the Cardinals forced Homan to toss 40 pitches as they scored three times to seize control.

“Our whole team did awesome,” said Sulick who drove in three runs and has a scholarship to play for Monmouth College. “I really feel like I contributed.”

For the seniors, Sulick said it was “the best week ever. Hoban was definitely our best competition in the tournament.”

Danilov agreed.

“It’s seems almost if that should have been the championship game since they were such a great team,” Danilov said.

West, the third baseman with a scholarship to play for Bowling Green, praised Haurin and her staff (George Naples, Katie Serensky, Adam Capretta and Diana Barnes).

“Their role in our wins, in everything, is huge,” West said. “We definitely wouldn’t be here without them. We couldn’t ask for anyone better.”

Halfhill cited coaching support from signs in their yards and “pump-up” notes before games.

“The support has been amazing,” said Halfhill who earned eight varsity letters in basketball and softball.

williams@vindy.com