High School Sports Round-Up

LHS Softball infielder Jackie Burdette slides home safely to score against North Olmsted.

NEW ERA FOR LHS SOFTBALL

It’s a new day for the Ranger softball team, as Head Coach Steve Moravcik has taken the reins of the team. Moravcik has extensive experience, with 40 years in the sport. He took over a young roster that included only two returning players from the 2015 season. Rain has impacted Moravcik’s debut season, causing numerous postponements in April. As a result, the team will be forced to play 18 games in 23 days during late April and early May.

Despite the challenges, the team is upbeat. Junior first baseman Courtney Moran sees “a lot of improvement” since the team started practicing weeks ago. The team has kept a good attitude, despite losing five of its first six games. Junior center fielder Hailey Owens says the team’s morale is due to friendship among the players. “Softball is a bond we all share,” she said.

There was one topic that all the players agreed on. They all hope to see more fans at their upcoming games. They have home games remaining against Midview (May 3rd; 4:30 p.m.) and North Ridgeville (Senior Night, May 4th; 7 p.m.). There is no admission charge for games, which are played at Harding Middle School.

LHS BASEBALL: UNEVEN START; LOOKING FORWARD TO MATCHUP WITH ST. EDWARD

The LHS baseball team had an up-and-down season through the first month. Like the softball team, they have been hit with many rainouts, adversely impacting their schedule. Despite this, they have stayed in the middle of the pack in the Southwest Conference, their new league.

Head Coach Mike Ribar has seen positives in the team. “The defense has been good,” he said, adding that the pitching has strong in the early season. Seniors Creek Miller and Ben Bulchik have been especially effective on the mound, each delivering multiple quality starts. However, at times the team has struggled to score runs. “Hopefully our bats will warm up with the weather,” says Ribar.

Among the highlights so far this season was a comeback win over Westlake at Rangers Stadium on April 12. They scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to get a 7-6 win. Creek Miller hit a double to get the rally going. Junior Aaron Lorkowski knocked in the winning runs with a bases loaded single with one out. Looking ahead, the team has key conference home games against North Ridgeville (May 4th at 4:30 p.m.) and Bay (Senior Night; May 6th at 7 p.m.). Their final regular season home game of the year will be the annual crosstown matchup with St. Edward, which will be on May 7th at 7 p.m.

ST. EDWARD WINS HUGE “HOLY WAR” RUGBY MATCH

St. Edward defeated St. Ignatius rugby 31-5 at Brother James Everett Stadium (located behind St. Edward HS) on April 14. It was a sweet win for the Eagles, who fell to the Wildcats last June in the State Championship game in Rocky River. St. Ignatius, the back-to-back state champs, entered this game ranked #6 in the nation; the Eagles were ranked 8th. Both teams were undefeated, although Ignatius had played a tougher schedule.

St. Edward took command of the game early, jumping out to a 21-0 lead with about ten minutes left in the first half. They held a 21-5 lead at the intermission, with the Wildcats scoring a try with 6:08 left in the half. The Eagles were stronger and faster than the Wildcats all night. The win moved St. Edward to #2 in the national rankings, and the Wildcats fell to the 8th spot. This year’s state championship will be played at Fairview High School on June 4; a rematch would not be surprising.

LHS TRACK TEAMS HOST RANGER RELAYS

The 36th Annual Ranger Relays took place on April 15th at First Federal Lakewood Stadium. The event included teams from fellow Southwest Conference members Bay, Westlake, and Berea-Midpark. Additional participants included Valley Forge, Rocky River, Parma, North Royalton, and St. Joseph Academy.

Highlights from the Ranger boys include senior pole vaulter Jimmy Toner, who was the individual champion. The boys pole vault relay team (which also includes Zak Inak and James Christie) came within one foot of matching the all-time meet record. Senior Ben Kessler finished third in the High Jump Relay, with fellow Ranger senior Noah Lopez finishing fifth. The Shot Put Relay team (Seniors Joe Fitchwell, Jacob Whitney, and Ziad Roufael) placed second.  

Results for the Ranger girls include: second place in the Pole Vault Relay (Senior Clare Toole 10'9" - Individual Champion, Sr. Claire Black 8" and So. Caitlin Cimino); 3rd place in the High Jump Relay: (Senior  Kelly White, Claire Black, Sophomore Tori Donegan; third place in Shot Put Relay: Senior  Anwar Zahiyeh, Junior Katelyn Mikuluk, Junior Mandy Muscatello); 4th place in Sprint Medley Relay: (Clare Toole (100), Senior  Kelly White (100), Freshman Margaret McIlwee (200), Jr. Aubrielle Reed (400)); 5th place in 4x1600 Relay: (Freshman Emily Perry, Freshman Sophie Sanders, Sophomore Trinity Bryant, Senior Hannah Allenson); 5th place in Distance Medley Relay: Senior Mallory Shaw(800), Sophomore Jing Feng (400), Junior Lauren Lowell (1200), Sophomore Abby LaForm (1600)); 5th place 3200M: Mallory Shaw; 5th place 4x400 Relay: (Jing Feng, Abby LaForm, Senior Leah Robertson, Mallory Shaw). 6th place 4x100 Relay: (Freshman Margaret McIlwee, Junior Aubrielle Reed, Clare Toole,  Kelly White); 6th place 4x200 Relay: (Kelly White, Aubrielle Reed, Junior Emily Pearlman, Freshman Margaret McIlwee; 6th place 4x800 Relay: (Emily Perry, Junior Lauren Lowell, Senior Leah Robertson, Jing Feng); 6th place in Discus Relay: (Anwar Zahriyeh, Junior Liam Swift, Mandy Muscatello).

LHS BOYS AND GIRLS TRACK DEFEAT MIDVIEW

The Ranger track teams followed up the Ranger Relays with midweek dual win against Midview on April 20th. Girls first place finishers were: Clare Toole Pole Vault 10';Anwar Zahriyeh Discus 78'11";Kelly White High Jump 4'5";Lauren Klann 100 hurdles 17.42 & 300 hurdles 57.7; 4x200 relay - Aubrielle Reed, Isabel Ostrowski, Tori Donegan, Addison Soukup; Mallory Shaw 800 m Jing Feng 3200 12:49;4x400- Mallory Shaw, Emily Perry, Addison Soukup, & Abby LaForm.  

The LHS Track teams will have their final home meet of the season on April 27 at 4:30 p.m. at First Federal Lakewood Stadium. The dual meet against Olmsted Falls will be Senior Night, where senior athletes will be recognized for their accomplishments.

Mike Deneen

Mike Deneen has extensive experience covering sports and community stories for the Lakewood Observer. Mike has been a Senior Industry Analyst for the Freedonia Group in Cleveland, Ohio, since 1998. He has appeared on CNBC’s Closing Bell, NPR’s MarketPlace and has been quoted multiple times in The Wall Street Journal. He has made multiple guest appearances on ESPN Cleveland radio. Mike also writes for Inside Northwestern, a website that covers Northwestern Wildcat Athletics. You can reach him on Twitter at @MikeDeneen1 

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Volume 12, Issue 9, Posted 3:24 PM, 04.26.2016