April 4th News

By Shaun Spence

April 04, 2008, 8:01AM

Shaun Spence - ohioHSsports.com

Check back each and every weekday for the top prep headlines from across the state. Here are a list of summaries from some of the major stories around Ohio for Friday, April 4th:

Softball: Central Ohio Preview

After being a Division I state finalist in 2007, Pickerington Central (27-5 in 07) took a big hit from graduation. In 2008, Westerville South and Thomas Worthington, a team that returns five starters who hit .300 or better, should be two of the teams to watch out for in Division I. Ashley Byers (Westerville South) and Paige Myers (Grove City) are amongst the top pitchers in Central Ohio. A couple area college signees are Dublion Scioto outfielder Katie Simonton (Ohio State) and Pickerington North outfielder Felicia Brown (Wright State). In Division II, Circleville and Lakewood are two of the teams in the the Colubmus-area. Circleville returns three senior cornerstones in shortstop Casse Mogan, pitcher Rachael Spangler and Heather Spangler. In Division III, Bloom-Carroll is looking for their third consecutive state title. Pitcher Gabby Gillilan is the ace of their staff. Columbus Dispatch

Baseball: McDonald Sophomore Throws No-Hitter

Sophomore Anthony Raschilla pitched a six-inning no-hitter, striking out eight while giving up one walk in leading McDonald to a 10-0 win over Wellsville. Raschilla also added a few hits and scored two runs for the Blue Devils (2-0).

In other Youngstown-area games, Springfield defeated Chaney 10-1 behind a 3-4, two RBI game from Brad Ferraro. Dylon DeJane went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Bryan Visingardi was 2-for-3 with an RBI for Springfield (3-0). Canfield was victorious over Warren Harding, 6-1, behind a solid pitching effort from junior Jared Turocy. Jason Bagoly hit a three-run homer for Fitch in the first inning to help the Falcons defeat Lakeview, 7-5. The Vindicator

Cincinnati-area Baseball/Basketball Games

The Southwest Ohio Baseball Coaches Association will hold its Coaches Showcase tournament today and Saturday at the University of Cincinnati's Marge Schott Stadium. Greater Catholic League teams Moeller, Elder, La Salle, and St. Xavier will play in the double-header that starts at 4 p.m. today. On Saturday, the first of four games will start at 9:30 a.m. The proceeds will benefit the SWOBCA Scholarship Fund.

The Southwest Ohio Basketball Coaches Association boys' East-West senior all-star games are tonight at Oak Hills. The Division I game starts at 6:30 p.m. and the Divisions II-IV game will follow. Walter White (Walnut Hills) will coach the Division I East Team and Donnie Gillespie (Winton Woods) will coach the West. In the Divisions II-IV game, Jerry Doerger (Clermont Northeastern) will coach the East and Jeoff Gabbard (Deer Park) will coach the West. The Enquirer

Baseball: Massillon Defeats Canton McKinley

While it doesn't have nearly the excitement of the football rivalry, Massillon and Canton McKinley met on the baseball diamond yesterday as the Tigers pulled off a 6-5 victory. Massillon coach Ted Guscoff, in his first year as Tiger baseball coach, is now 2-0. Massillon held a 6-3 lead going into the final inning. During the top of the seventh, the Bulldogs added two runs on a bases-loaded single by Tim Davis. Massillon's Chris Willoughby (1-0) forced a groundball out to end the game. The Independent

Don't see news from your area of the state? Post a comment below with your local paper's web address and we'll feature your prep coverage throughout the week.