Austintown Fitch posts second straight state title with 4-0 win over Watkins Memorial
Repeating as state champion wasn’t supposed to be an easy feat.
Austintown Fitch softball team Steve Ward said their target got bigger during the 2024 softball season.
But the Falcons were able to weather the storm.
And then some.
Austintown Fitch won the team’s second straight state softball championship with a 4-0 win over Watkins Memorial Saturday night.
Dominant season for Austintown Fitch
The Falcons finished with a 23-1 record and outscored opponents 236-14 all season.
“This was a testament about how high of a level our girls are,” Ward said, “How hard they work and how they come every day to practice and every day in the weight room. They knew this was going to be a difficult year and they rose up to every challenge. They really took ownership of this team.”
Syndie Watts continued to dominate on the mound for Fitch with a two-hit shutout and 10 strikeouts. Her performance followed a perfect game in Friday’s semifinal.
“I did the best I could,” Watts said. “I didn’t feel it was my best pitching performance, but all I needed to do was keep the ball in the park and let my defense make plays.”
Ray sisters helped Syndie Watts on offense
Senior Ayla Ray started the scoring with a long home run to right center and Watts followed in the second inning with a home run over the left-field bullpen.
Austintown Fitch added two runs when Alya’s sister, Kaliana, singled to center field and two runners scored.
The Falcons played well against Watkins Memorial pitched Carsyn Cassady, who hadn’t allowed a run in five tournament games.
“We knew she was a great pitcher and we waited for our pitch,” Watts said. “She doesn’t throw a lot in the zone, so we just had to be ready.”
Samantha Severn had two hits to lead the Falcons.
Watkins Memorial finished its season at 30-2.
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This story was originally published June 2, 2024 at 12:06 AM.