When Mike Beetler said his Amherst Sliman’s Nitros have been focused this season, he wasn’t kidding.
The Nitros wrapped up an OGSO Class B district championship Wednesday night and carry an undefeated record into the state quarterfinals next Saturday in Lordstown.
“They came in, they were focused and they had goals to prove as individuals and as a team,” said Beetler, whose Nitros improved to 18-0 after defeating Keystone. “They knew if they did that, they could go somewhere.”
Next Saturday’s quarterfinal will mark the team’s first appearance in a state tournament.
“This is a first for everyone,” Beetler said. “For some of these girls, it’s the first year of OGSO and for some it’s the second year. Only a few have played more.”

SunDogs third

The Elyria SunDogs went 6-1-1 to place third in the Best of the Best Tournament in Massillon last weekend. They defeated the Ohio Classics 5-2; Ohio Ice Poole 7-0 behind Tess Sito’s 1-hitter; Ohio Stingrays (Pohlman) 9-1; and tied 2-2 with the Ashland Blaze.
The ’Dogs trailed the Ohio Wolfpack Black 7-0 after two innings, but scored 10 unanswered runs to win 10-7.
Devan Boggs had the big blow, a three-run homer. The SunDogs then defeated the Ohio Stingrays (Morman) 5-3 in extra innings, and the Ohio Bandits 4-3 before falling to the Valley Extreme 7-1 in single-elimination play.
Ashlee Stolarski batted .391 for the tournament, Boggs .375, Jen Bower .333 and Aleecia Sunagel .333. Pitcher-shortstop Sito was 3-0-1 with two saves in the circle and Gabby Gililan went 3-1.
The Ohio Wolfpack (Wolf) won the tournament behind the pitching of Columbia’s Jen Solanics.
The SunDogs are now 28-6-1 on the year. They’re playing in the Stingrays Invitational in Columbus this weekend.

State slowpitch here

The ASA’s Class D slowpitch state tournament, formerly played in suburban Dayton, comes to Elyria’s West Park on July 25-26. A $300 registration fee is due by July 20. Checks to Elyria Tournament Softball can be mailed to 1001 Garford Avenue, Elyria 44035.
The drawing will be held July 22 at the C.R. Hoagland West Recreation Center, 1200 Foster Avenue, and the coaches meeting and roster check will be at 8 a.m. July 25 at the West Park softball headquarters.
The top four teams qualify for the ASA Class D national tournament. The top three receive trophies. Players must be 18 as of July 1, batters start with a 1-1 count and players are limited to two home runs per game.
The tourney director is Elyria softball commissioner Garry L. Mason. He will be assisted by head umpire Bill Troyer and former city softball czar Greg Paonessa, who has been recruited out of retirement.

Celebrities

Elyria’s Division I state champions will be guests of the Frontier League’s Lake Erie Crushers at Sunday’s game with the River City Rascals at 5:05 p.m. The Crushers did not immediately return phone calls seeking complete details.
And pitcher Tess Sito is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Pioneers are recognized before the Indians-Rangers game at Progressive Field on Aug. 12.
Game time is 7:05 p.m.

New homer fences

Temporary home-run fences are in place on two of the diamonds used for the OGSO district in Wellington, which is scheduled to wrap up this afternoon with the Class D championship games.
The new fences are 200 feet from the plate, which is the NCAA and Ohio high school state tournament distance.
The fences were gifts of the Wellington OGSO charter. Lorain-Medina district officials hope two more temporary fences can be added for next year’s tournament.

A real Nailbiter

The annual North Coast Nailbiter, which opened on Friday, continues today and Sunday at Ohio Sports Park in North Ridgeville. Elimination games are on the Sunday schedule. The Nailbiter is an NSA world qualifier and one of two big tournaments sponsored every summer by the North Coast Spirit organization.

Slowpitch stuff

Just one team — Harry Buffalo-Twist&Shake — remains undefeated after the first half of play in the city of Elyria’s slowpitch softball program at West Park. Buffalo-Shake (10-0) won the Men’s East League crown, a game ahead of Powerhouse-Bailey’s and three up on Sudden Impact and Basil’s, which tied for third.
Fit Technologies (8-2) won the Men’s West League title, Tailgators (9-1) the Women’s League, DGI (8-1) the Men’s West League, and Xtreme Performance (8-1) the Men’s South League.
DGI and Dot Drilling are both 6-0 in the Co-Ed East and West leagues, respectively, but their seasons are not divided into halves.
Contact Daniels at 329-7135 or softball@bobdaniels.info.

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