MIKE BROWN: Austintown Fitch, Canfield, South Range softball teams state-bound
You could see it coming in early spring.
The Mahoning Valley had some of the best softball teams in Ohio.
And that has certainly been evident throughout the postseason, as three area teams punched their tickets to the upcoming state tournament at historic Firestone Stadium in Akron after advancing through rugged regional play last weekend.
Austintown Fitch earns Division I berth
In Division I, the Austintown Fitch Falcons nailed down a state tournament berth with an 11-1 rout of the Walsh Jesuit Warriors in their regional title game.
The 2023 Falcons are the second Austintown Fitch team in school history to advance to state in softball. Fitch was a state runner-up in 1993.
The Falcons will play Lebanon in a D1 state semifinal Friday at 12:30 p.m. at Firestone Stadium. The other D1 semifinal will feature Whitehouse Anthony Wayne vs. Pataskala Watkins Memorial.
Canfield qualifies in Division II
In Division II, the Canfield Cardinals are state-bound following their 2-1 regional championship triumph over the Marlington Dukes.
Canfield will be making its second trip to the state softball tourney in school history. The first was in 2008 when the Cardinals claimed the state championship.
The Cardinals will meet Steubenville Big Red in a state semifinal at Firestone Stadium on Thursday at 3 p.m. The other D2 state semifinal will pit Tallmadge against Greenville.
South Range qualifies for second straight year in Division III
In Division III, South Range locked up a second consecutive berth to the state tournament after posting an 8-4 win over the Champion Golden Flashes in eight innings in last weekend’s regional title contest.
The Raiders, who were the D3 state runner-up last season, are making their third trip in school history at the state tournament. They were also a state runner-up in 2016.
The Raiders will play Wheelersburg in a D3 state semifinal Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at Firestone Stadium. The other D3 state semifinal is Lewistown Indian Lake against Defiance Tinora.
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