Three area softball teams in state semi's for first time since 2011
The 21 WFMJ viewing area has three softball teams in the state semi finals starting Thursday at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
In Division III, South Range (26-3) and Wheelersburg (30-0) play Thursday at 12:30 pm. At 3:00pm its Canfield (23-2) vs Steubenville (23-5) In Division II and Friday, In Division I its Austintown Fitch (20-0) against Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (27-3).
"It's amazing for this area to have three teams in the semi finals," said Austintown Fitch Coach Steve Ward.
"The time and dedication these girls put in during their youth years and now we're reaping the rewards as high schoolers is great," he continued.
"I think softball in our area has escalated to another level," said Canfield Coach Mike Kernan.
"We had several other teams that were close to being here and that's a testament where the softball level is in our area." continued Kernan.
South Range Coach Jeff DeRose says teams here (in northeast Ohio) take the game seriously and feels teams in the northern part of the country are equal to those in the south.
In 2011 Poland, Champion & Columbiana played in the final four.
