Saturday, June 02, 2001
Hamilton plays for state softball title
Big Blue's opponent was '00 runner-up
By Malcolm C. Knox
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ASHLAND, Ohio — Today's Division I state softball final between Hamilton (25-8) and Boardman (29-3) will put on a display of teams on different path, both plan ning to wind up at the same destination — the state title. But there's only room for one at the end.
While Hamilton's girls seem to have an attitude of “just-happy-to-be-here,” Boardman's coach says his team is now where it belongs.
Hamilton's Big Blue won the state title in 1985 but haven't been to the state tournament since 1987.
“Everything's great,” said Hamilton senior first baseman Melissa Bond after Thursday's 5-1 win over Whitehouse Anthony Wayne. Bond and catcher Jair Short, Hamilton's only other senior, took a three-hour commute to their prom, and back to Ashland last night.
Boardman was ranked No. 2 in the state at the end of the regular season. Hamilton was unranked.
The Spartans return to the championship game after losing to Hilliard Darby 3-1 in last year's final. The Spartans advanced to this year's championship by beating Hilliard Davidson 1-0 Thursday.
“It's where we expected to be,” Spartans head coach Bill Amero said. “We ended last year saying, 'We didn't quite get the job done.”'
Thursday's win was Hamilton's 13th in a row..
Boardman has won 18 con secutive games.
Both teams look for strong performances from their pitchers. Big Blue sophomore Katie Halcomb struck out 11 in the semifinal game, and allowed no earned runs. Spartans senior Marissa Bartholomew has an ERA of about 0.70, Amero said.
Hamilton's bats have been hot in the playoffs. Halcomb, Short and junior third baseman Brandi Jones had two hits each in the semifinal. Halcomb and Short also added two RBI each.
Boardman junior varsity coach David Smith, who watched the Hamilton-Wayne game, said he was impressed with Halcomb's pitch selection and placement but said the Big Blue looked jittery in the early innings. Amero believes his team's playoff experience will be a big asset.
“ I would think it has to make a difference,” he said. “The defense — they're veteran players. They don't get rattled.”
The championship game is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Brookside Park in Ashland, followed by the Division IV game at 12:30 p.m., Division III at 3 p.m., and Division II at 5:30 p.m. Rain is in today's forecast.
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