Fairview Tigers
Baseball
Coach (season, record): Joe Spinelli (3rd season, 11-19)
2011 overall record: 6-7
2011 region record (place): 2-6 (fourth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Dean Baker, Nick Ingram, Nick Portonova, Michael Sundberg, Lance Wagner
Top returning players: Tom Connell, Chris King, Nolan Roberts, Gabe Malthaner
Assistant coaches: Eric Harpster, Brian Hardner, Don Patrick, Tony Spinelli
Outlook: Fairview continued to improve last spring under coach Joe Spinelli and the Tigers will look to take the next step this season. Fairview lost several quality players in Dean Baker, Nick Ingram, Nick Portonova, Michael Sundberg and Lance Wagner but the Tigers have a strong group back. Juniors Chris King and Gabe Malthaner have plenty of experience, while classmates Tom Connell and Nolan Roberts hit over .300 the past two years. Fairview received a boost in two senior transfers as well. Bobby Jackson moved from California and can play several positions, while Zach LaRocca, a pitcher and shortstop, transferred up from Canon-McMillan. The Tigers have a region in transition that is open for a new contender. Titusville will have a strong team back this spring but Fairview could be a surprise team as the season goes on.
Schedule
March
26 Union City 4
28 at East 4
April
2 at Youngsville 4
4 Eisenhower 4
6 East 4
9 Northwestern* 4
13 Seneca* 4
16 at North East* 4
18 Iroquois 4
20 at Titusville* 4
23 at Mercyhurst Prep 4
25 Youngsville 4
27 at Eisenhower 4
30 at Northwestern* 4
May
7 at Seneca* 4
9 North East* 4
11 at Iroquois 4
14 Titusville* 4
16 Mercyhurst Prep 4
*Region games
Softball
Coach (season, record): Anita Deloe (6th season, 73-30)
2011 overall record: 21-1
2011 region record (place): 18-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Northwestern 5-4 and Titusville 7-1 to win the District 10 Class AA championship. Fairview then lost to 1-0 to Greensburg Central Catholic in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Emily Vizzini, Maggie Vizzini, Erin Stroup
Top returning players: Michalla Martin, Kelsey Everhart, Holly O’Brien, Raven Rozantz, Kayla Kupniewski
Assistant coaches: Dave Masterson, Julie Deloe, Candace Magraw, Craig MacKelvey
Outlook: Fairview had a surprise ending to its season last spring after rattling off 21 wins in a row. The Tigers were upset in the first round of the PIAA playoffs by Greensburg Central Catholic and will look to go further this season. Standout Raven Rozantz is back on the mound and will have a new battery mate behind the plate. Roni Lipinski is a freshman catcher and will be thrown into a pressure position right away. Kenzie Stanko could rotate in to see some innings on the mound as well. Fairview will need to replace the leadership of Emily and Maggie Vizzini along with Erin Stroup, Michalla Martin, Kelsey Everhart, Holly O’Brien and Kayla Kupniewski are back. The Tigers have turned into a perennial powerhouse in Class AA and will need several players to step up this season if they want to repeat as D-10 champions.
Schedule
March
27 Seneca* 4
29 at Youngsville* 4
April
3 Eisenhower* 4
10 Girard* 4
12 at Iroquois* 4
14 Northwestern* 11 a.m.
17 at Villa Maria* 4
19 North East* 4
21 at General McLane* 4
24 at Seneca* 4
26 Youngsville* 4
28 at Eisenhower* 11 a.m.
May
1 at Girard* 4
3 Iroquois* 4
8 at Northwestern* 4
10 Villa Maria* 4
11 at Ashtabula Edgewood (Ohio) 4
15 at North East* 4
17 General McLane* 4
19 at McDowell 12
*Region games
– Tom Reisenweber
