2023 OHSAA Softball State Championships
Division III
Wheelersburg Tops Indian Lake for Back-to-Back Titles
AKRON, Ohio – Winning back-to-back softball state championships, Wheelersburg shut out Lewistown Indian Lake, 6-0, Saturday in the Division III title game at Firestone Stadium.
It marks the third state title for Wheelersburg (2016, 2022, 2023), which finishes the season a perfect 32-0. The Pirates were making their seventh trip to the state tournament, while Indian Lake was in the Final Four for the first time.
Wheelersburg junior pitcher Andi Jo Howard threw a two-hit shutout, striking out two and walking only one. The Pirates played errorless defense behind her.
Wheelersburg erupted for four runs in the third inning and added two more in the seventh. Sophomore shortstop Catie Boggs drove in four runs, including a two-run triple in the third inning and a two-run home run in the seventh. Senior first baseman Macee Eaton added two hits and an RBI.
Division I
Austintown-Fitch Claims First State Championship Over Anthony Wayne
AKRON, Ohio – Austintown-Fitch defeated Anthony Wayne 6-1 to finish off an undefeated season in the Division I state championship game at Firestone stadium on Saturday.
It was the second appearance in the state tournament for Austintown-Fitch, finishing runner-up 30 years prior in 1993. Anthony Wayne made its fourth state tournament appearance (2001, 2003, 2021, 2023), and second in the past three years, with their lone state championship coming in 2003.
Anthony Wayne jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning when freshman Megan Sumner's single brought around junior Abby Kennelly to plate the game's first run. That was all Austintown-Fitch's sophomore hurler Sydnie Watts would surrender as she went the distance, compiling 12 strikeouts against just two hits.
Austintown-Fitch got the bats going in the third inning, with a two-out single from freshman Kylie Folkwein to tie the game. The Falcons never looked back once junior Ayla Ray broke the tie in the top of the fourth inning with a solo homerun which highlighted a big four run inning.
Austintown-Fitch senior Caitlin Mitchell was a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish and Folkwein followed suit with her own 3-for-3 day adding in two RBI's. Freshman Abby Toth chipped in with two hits to round out the lineup.
Division II
Tallmadge shuts out Canfield for Eighth State Title
AKRON, Ohio – Winning its first state softball championship since 1998, Tallmadge shut out Canfield, 9-0, on Saturday in the Division II title game at Firestone Stadium.
It marks the eighth state title for Tallmadge (1981, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2023), while finishing the season 26-8. The Blue Devils were making their 16th trip to the state tournament, while Canfield made their second appearance.
Tallmadge junior pitcher Riley Jackson threw a two-hit shutout, with one walk and one strikeout. The Blue Devils defense provided an errorless effort behind her.
Tallmadge got hot at the plate, scoring five runs in the fourth inning and four more in the fifth while having a total of 11 hits throughout the game. Junior third baseman Sydney Becks went 3-for-3 while driving in four runs, including a three run inside the park homerun during the fourth inning. Becks also had two singles in the fifth and seventh innings.
Division IV
Strasburg-Franklin Beats Hopewell-Loudon for Back-to-Back Titles
AKRON, Ohio – Strasburg-Franklin brought home its ninth softball state title after beating Hopewell-Loudon 8-2 on Saturday in the Division IV title game at Firestone Stadium.
Strasburg-Franklin’s previous titles were won in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2022. The Tigers finish the season 29-2, making their 18th trip to the state tournament in school history, while Hopewell-Loudon made their first appearance.
Strasburg-Franklin junior pitcher Amelia Spidell gave up three hits, two earned runs, and one walk while striking out eighteen.
Strasburg-Franklin had an early start at the plate, scoring three runs in the first inning. The Tigers also scored one run in the third, three in the fifth, and one more in the sixth while tallying 12 hits throughout the game. Senior second basemen Hayley Reiger went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a single. Reiger also drove in one run and scored each time she reached base.