Spartan pitcher, Timko select OSU

By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Three Mahoning Valley standout high school athletes have chosen Ohio State University as the school to continue their academic and athletic careers.

Boardman senior softball pitcher Alex DiDomenico, Canfield golfer Bruce “Boo” Timko and Maplewood swimmer Jordan Moxley signed letters-of-intent on Wednesday to accept scholarships from Ohio State.

As a junior, DiDomenico pitched the Spartans to the Division I regional championship game where they lost to Federal League rival Massillon Perry, 3-2.

After suffering a broken pinkie on her pitching hand, DiDomenico recovered to pitch 90 innings last spring, allowing just 26 hits (.080 batting average). She struck out 110 for an 8-4 record and 0.60 earned-run average.

Timko qualified for the state tournament every year of his four-year varsity career (two seasons with Warren JFK, two with Canfield).

As a junior, Timko won the Division I district tournament and tied for second at state. This fall, he finished ninth in the state tournament.

Timko has a 3.786 grade-point average and is 36th in his class of 286 students.

Moxley is one of three swimmers coached by Warren Aquatics Club’s Frank Supancic who made commitments. The others are Lakeview’s Emilee Gysegem (Clarion University) and McDonald’s Katie Joseph (Gannon University).

None of the swimmers had a high school swim team to support them. Collectively, they have been on the state podium 16 times, with their senior season still to come.

Two other Spartans will play on. DiDomenico’s teammate, shortstop Brooke Meenachan, committed to Youngstown State University. Meenachan had a .457 batting average, scored 23 runs and drove in 24 during her junior season.

Spartans soccer player Zaire Morrison committed to Cleveland State University where he plans to major in psychology.

Morrison scored 16 goals as a senior, including four in one game. He plans to play for the Cleveland Youth Soccer National team in the spring to help prepare for college.

Also signing with Cleveland State was Warren Harding basketball player Tre Brown, who averaged about 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in his junior season.

“His biggest asset is his versatility,” said Harding coach Steve Arnold of his 6-foot-6 wing. “He’s really gotten a lot stronger and his outside shot has improved. He can drive inside to take advantage of a mismatch.”

It was a good day for the “Boos.” Cardinal Mooney baseball player Nick “Boo” Vazquez was one of two Cardinals making diamond commitments.

A pitcher and center fielder for the Cardinals, Vazquez signed with the University of Pittsburgh. His varsity batting average is .560 and his ERA is 1.40.

Teammate Ryan Gallagher, a first baseman and pitcher, will attend the University of Michigan. As a junior, Gallagher had a 8-3 record on the mound with an ERA of 2.82.