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Spring sports preview capsules

Editor’s note: More preview capsules will be published in future editions as the spring season gets into full swing.

Baseball

Ursuline

¯ COACH: Matt Weymer (6th year with Ursuline,11th year overall, 145-97)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 12-15 (lost to South Range in district semifinals)

¯ LEAGUE: Steel Valley Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (years lettered): Dante Walker (Sr.) , Jonah Kirchner (Sr.) , Brady Shannon (Jr.) , Joey Carosella (Jr.) , Ian Barton (Sr.) , Tre Ciavarella (Jr.) , Luca Ricciuti (So.) , Drew Kirila (So.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Dylan Peplowski (Sr.), Jaxson Gruber (Jr.), Danny Smith (Jr.), Marc Manning (So.), Jack Ericson (Fr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Irish have a very solid core of returning players that they hope to blend with the underclassmen and make great strides as the season unfolds. They have several position battles among talented, but unproven players at the varsity level. Execution in all phases will be essential if they are to succeed.

Poland

¯ COACH: Richard Murray (17th year, 277-113)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 20-7 (district champions)

¯ LEAGUE: Northeast-8

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (*years lettered): none

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Dino Angelilli (Sr.), Vinnie Cercei (Sr.), Nate Hayes (Sr.), Anthony Koulianous (Sr.), Carmen LeForr (Sr.), Carmen Pagano (Sr.), AJ Patellis (Sr.), Anthony Perry (Sr.), Mason Planey (Sr.), Wyatt Bobbey (Jr.), Cole Corey (Jr.), Austin Lambert (Jr.), Michael Nitolli (Jr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs are an inexperienced team. Their top goals this season are to win the league and make a run in the tournament toward the district title.

Chaney

¯ COACH: Eric Gruber (2nd year, 2-11)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 2-11

¯ LEAGUE: Steel Valley Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (years lettered): Alberto Peterson (Jr.) , Noah Cohen (Jr.) , Jeremy Lesson (Jr.) , Kaydin Brown (Jr.) *

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Jaylon Gibson (Sr.), Marquis Sly (So.), Damon Perry (Jr.), Clifton Scott (Fr.), Dwayne Moody (Fr.), Mark Stankorb (Fr.), Philip Tharpe (So.), Carl LaDonne (Fr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: Having last season cancelled after a strong offseason program was tough for the Cowboys and the limited offseason heading into this year has made things difficult. However, the coaching staff is pleased with how the players have adapted and is eager to get things started. Pitching looks to be a strong suit for the team.

Springfield

¯ COACH: Terry Dobson (5th year, 70-28)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 26-4 (regional finalists)

¯ LEAGUE: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Tier

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (years lettered): Mitchell Seymour (Sr.) , Nick Slike (Jr.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Aaron Groner (Jr.), Ethan Mannion (Jr.), Alex Rothwell (Jr.), AJ Stallsmith (Jr.), Braden Butler (So.), Seandelle Gradner (So.), Vincent Woods (So.), Ryan Matey (So.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Tigers are starting over, so they expect a challenge this year. With a core of juniors and sophomores, Springfield expects some bumps in the road, but looks to develop the talent they have into contenders.

Softball

Cardinal Mooney

¯ COACH: Mark Rinehart (30th year, 437-209)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 20-5 (district semifinalist)

¯ LEAGUE: Steel Valley Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN: Samantha Holden (Sr.), Gia Diorio (Sr.), Marissa Landers (Sr.), Paige Pavlock (Sr.), Alaina Francis (Jr.), Alaina Scavina (Jr.), Marissa Bowman (So.), Maria Fire (So.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Leanne Chandler (Sr.), Grace Raymer (Jr.), Aja Gregory (So.), Parker Sheehan (Fr.), Delaney Savaet (Fr.), Sydney Howard (Fr.), Emma Madefa (Fr.), Krislyn Winford (Fr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: After four 20-win seasons in the last five years, including a Division III district title and a Division II district runners-up run in that span, Mooney returns eight letterwinners and talented newcomers, hoping to make another tournament run. Pitching depth is going to be a strength, which along with a core of good hitters, will be tested by a difficult schedule and strong district.

Poland

¯ COACH: Jim Serich (5th year, 57-19)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 29-1

¯ LEAGUE: Northeast-8

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (-letters won): Camryn Lattanzio (Sr.) , Jackie Grisdale (Sr.) , Abby Farber (Jr.) , Emily Denney (Jr.) , Connie Cougras (Jr.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: McKenna Dinard (Jr.), Katie McDonald (So.), Meridith Trevis (So.), Ella Gaffney (So.), Mary Brant (Fr.), Gia Schiavone (Fr.), Leanne Williams (Fr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Bulldogs look to compete every game with five returning starters from 2019 and a solid group of underclassmen to fill out the starting lineup.

East

¯ COACH: Carissa Benchwick (1st year)

¯ LEAGUE: Steel Valley Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN: Bri Thompson (Sr.), Anissa Francis-Caban (Sr.), Ksunammi Aponte (Sr.), Taniya Wright (Sr.), Kayden Meija (Jr.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Jada Cosby (Sr.), Yandai Padilla Quinones (Jr.), Samair Colon (So.), Ne’Ara Page (So.), Monayzah Williams (So.), Laneta Savage (So.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Golden Bears expect to be a competitive team with a mix of seasoned players and new talented athletes. With combied experienced leadership and motivated young pitchers, East wants to start a new tradition of success.

South Range

¯ COACH: Jeff DeRose (8th year, 143-73)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 20-10 (district champion, lost to Champion in regional semifinals)

¯ LEAGUE: Northeast-8

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (-letters won): Bree Kohler , Jillian Strecansky , Reagan Irons

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Jamie Feren (So.), Juli Stachowicz (So.), Samantha Susany (So.), Kelly Szolek (So.), Taylor Smesko (Jr.), Madison Dado (Fr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Raiders expect to have a good season and make a run at the district crown.

Hubbard

¯ COACH: Joe Zagorec (3rd year)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 14-9

¯ LEAGUE: Northeast-8

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (-letters won): Sydney Bowser (Sr.) , Kailah Gregory (Sr.) , Emily Filicky (Sr.) , Haley Croyle (Jr.) , Gillian Ryser (Jr.) , Grace Narkum (Jr.) , Alexis Natdusak (Jr.) , Jordyn Jullerat (Jr.) , Riley Kachaylo (So.) *

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Isabella O’Brien (Fr.), Phoebe Rusnak (Fr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Eagles have put together a competitive schedule this year to challenge the players. They hope this can provide enough testing for the team to make a postseason run.

Girls track

Hubbard

¯ COACH: Rod Greenamyer (21st year)

¯ LEAGUE: Northeast-8

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (-letters won): Dana Edwards (Sr.), Amber Flynn (Sr.), Joella Coxson (Sr.) , Harley Senek (Sr.) , Whitney Hendrix (Sr.) , Gracie Bencetic (Sr.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Madison Brainard (Fr.), Olivia Bugzavich (So.), Allison Flynn (So.), Jaya Grymbeg (Fr.), Alyssa Hayes (Fr.), Catie Herberger (So.), Mackenzie Martropietro (Sr.), Layla Mack (So.), Tayler Miller (So.), Kalyn Noel (So.), Lizzy Sandy (Fr.), Carly Taylor (Fr.), Bree Valley (Sr.), Aubree Vaughn (Fr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: After missing out on the 2020 season, the Eagles are looking forward to competing this time around.

Boys lacrosse

Poland

¯ COACH: Dennis Schweers (1st year)

¯ LEAGUE: Independent

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (-letters won): Nathan Scheck (Sr.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Kaidin Arnold (Sr.), Matt Ranno (Sr.), Van Blasko (Jr.), Anthony Cordek (Jr.), Noah Dearing (Jr.), Angelo Elia (Jr.), Joey Iberis (Jr.), J.T. Russo (Jr.), Braden Shaffer (Jr.), Dillon Smith (Jr.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: In the team’s first season since 2018, the Bulldogs view 2021 as a building year and trying to establish the program. With 17 players on the roster, there’s only going to be a varsity squad.

Girls lacrosse

Poland

¯ COACH: Nichole Blaze (2nd year)

¯ LEAGUE: Independent

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (-letters won): Zoe Simon , Jillian Phillips , RIley Norris , Meg Dodge , Sam Dodge , Camryn Olsen , Cassie Tonus , Kate Dodge , Amanda Reeveley , Lainie Raybuck , Ellie Kempers , Kylie Hissner , Addison Kaschak , Emillie Franco , Jessica Taylor , Hannah Masucci , Syda Masucci , Grace Scheck *

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Cassie Aey, Ashley Ray, Morgan DeCore, Jordyn Olsen

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: With 10 senior letterwinners, the Bulldogs expect to see a wide range of scorers, great points per game and more wins than the 2019 season. The goal is to schedule as many games as possible to get experience for the younger players.

Spring sports preview capsules

Editor’s note: More preview capsules will be published in future editions as the spring season gets into full swing.

Baseball

Boardman

¯ COACH: Joe Gabriel (8th year, 87-86)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 16-13

¯ LEAGUE: All-American Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (*years lettered): Marco Stilliana (Sr.), Nate Fleming (Sr.), Jimmy Whippo (Sr.), Jason Triveri (Jr.), John Hyde (Sr.), Patrick Hubert (Sr.), CJ Cordon (Sr.), Carmine LaManna (Sr.), Tyler Ventresco (Sr.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Griffin Widrig (Jr.), Seth Cervello (Jr.), Jack Dascenzo (Jr.), Anthony Butto (Jr.), Stephen Conto (Jr.), Colin Thomas (Jr.), Aiden Miller (Jr.), Patrick Dorazio (Jr.), Gavin Hyde (So.), Luke Leonard (So.), Austin Ward (So.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: Boardman brings back a good senior class with a couple of experienced players who had playing time as sophomores in 2019. The pitching staff this season will be inexperienced but very talented with a lot of depth. Jimmy Whippo, Jason Triveri and Guy Young will need to take big steps forward on the mound for the Spartans to have success.

Softball

Fitch

¯ COACH: Steven Ward (6th year)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 17-10 (AAC champ, district semifinalist)

¯ LEAGUE: All-American Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (-letters won):: Lydia Spalding (Sr.) , Elyssa Molody (Sr.) , Haley Tarr (Sr.) , Maddy Taylor (Jr.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Sydney Shaffer, Anna Skabinski, Sophia Senediak, McKenna Hogan, Caitlin Mitchell, Ayla Ray, Bella Tofil

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Falcons will need to learn quickly this season. With four letterwinners returning, inexperience will play a factor at times, but if the team progresses as planned, they expect to be a tough matchup in May. With tough non-league teams on the schedule, including defending state champion Louisville, they have little room for error, but are happy with the chemistry the team has shown thus far.

Boardman

¯ COACH: Fred Mootz (3rd year)

¯ 2019 SEASON: 20-8 (district semifinalists)

¯ LEAGUE: All-American Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN: Kathryn O’Horo (Sr.), Morgan Cherne (Sr.), Nina Scavelli (Sr.), Madison Lester (Jr.), Jenna Olexa (Jr.), Dana Haus (Jr.), Nadia Rawhneh (Jr.)

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Bella Eliser (Jr.), Jenna Madick (Jr.), Samantha Hoffman (Jr.), Sofia Hoffman (Jr.), Cassidy Bryan (Jr.), Madison Wymer (Fr.), Nadia Davis (So.)

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Spartans aim to compete in the league and make a push in the tournament.

Boys track

Fitch

¯ COACH: Seth Steiner (7th year, record)

¯ LEAGUE: All-American Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN (-letters won): Tyrese Bandy , Nate Leskovac , Corbin Roby , Reggie Floyd , Kyree Long , Christian Swarm , Garrett Hogan , Jameire Robinson , Adam Emerick , Jaymes Soles , Donnie Ellis , Tyree Mitchell , Tyler Evans , Andrew Lescsak *

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Jayden Eley, Jamell James, Alec Herman, Dan Evans, Brody Herman, Cam Smith, DJ Williams, Nick Tibolla, Johnny Ruggles

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: With a wide range of returning talent and a successful indoor season over the winter, the Falcons look to carry that momentum into the spring season and continue the success they’ve had in recent years.

Girls track

Fitch

¯ COACH: Sam Cassano (2nd year)

¯ LEAGUE: All-American Conference

¯ RETURNING LETTERMEN: Alyssa Ruggles, Kristen Yeager, Kylie Madison, Kenzie Chine, Rylie Connolly, Trinity Niznik, Sarah Pitko, Jenna Rodgers

¯ OTHERS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE: Madison Bucko, Aidyn Connolly, Savannah Jones, Miranda SHerwood, De’Aunee Thompson, Bri Joki, Emily Beany, Katilyn Leedy, Savannah Grove, Dashia Johnson, Grace Smrek

¯ SEASON OUTLOOK: The Falcons are eager to get back onto the track for the season. Fitch is coming off a successful indoor season where they had 12 girls qualify for the indoor state meet in an individual event or relay. With the 12 qualifiers among the other members of the team, Fitch is looking to have a successful season and hope to achieve their goals they’ve set for themselves.

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