After a successful spring trip to Myrtle Beach, the North softball team carried that momentum into Ohio, opening its in-state schedule with a 9-5 win over West Geauga on Monday to improve to 3-0.
“West Geauga is a very good team,” said North head coach Mike Ferrari. “In my opinion, this was a really good team win. We had a pretty balanced offensive attack, and we had some timely hits. Violet (Dichazy) was hitting her spots, and she was dealing. She had 10 strikeouts and scattered some hits. Most of the lineup pitched in and did really well. We put the bat on the ball and put it in play.”
After both teams traded runs early, North broke the game open with a five-run third inning and never looked back. The Rangers added single runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to build a comfortable 9-2 lead heading into the final frame.
West Geauga made things interesting with a three-run seventh, but North pitcher Violet Dichazy shut the door to secure the complete-game victory.
Dichazy was dominant in the circle, striking out 10 while allowing eight hits and five runs, four earned, over seven innings.
“My rise (ball) was on point today,” Dichazy said. “I was coming at the batter’s first pitch looking to put them behind in the count.”
She also contributed offensively, scoring twice, driving in a run, and drawing three walks.
The Rangers’ lineup continued its early-season trend of production up and down the order. Gianna Pintar led the way, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a double. Maddy Ferrari added two hits and an RBI, while Olivia Credico and Hayden Vahcic each doubled and drove in a run.
Giavanna Tirabasso contributed a hit, run, and RBI, Holly Mosnik drove in a run and scored, and Haylee White added a hit. Melanie Okerwall also scored in the win.
Ferrari said the consistency throughout the lineup has been a key to the team’s fast start.
“It’s just confidence,” Ferrari said. “You can have a lot of cage monsters who can hit front toss, but until you get outside and get on the turf or the dirt, that’s where you make your proverbial hay. The girls have been fighting in their counts and doing a very good job with that.”
West Geauga was led by Dayana Malone, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two doubles. Peyton Gambatese added two hits and two RBIs, while Morgan Atwara scored and reached base twice. Gianna Lallitto drove in two runs, Faelynn Beckrest added an RBI, and Malory Lear scored.
Despite the late push from the Wolverines, Dichazy said she never doubted the outcome.
“A little rough way to finish off the game, but I had 100 percent confidence in my team behind me,” Dichazy said. “My catcher was also super helpful in staying strong with my mental game, and that led me to throw the complete game.”
North will look to stay unbeaten when it travels to Madison on Thursday, while West Geauga heads to Lutheran West on April 7.
North Rangers Softball
More Softball Coverage from OhioVarsity.com