Mother Nature has limited the playing time of most of Northeast Ohio’s baseball and softball teams but several players already have turned in strong performances.
Wickliffe senior Phillip Goth, Madison senior Alicia Major and Mayfield junior Sara Oddo were named Ward’s Lawn Care & Landscape Co. Players of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 3.
Goth, nominated by head coach Phil Motta, opened the season with a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over Valley Forge. He struck out 12 and didn’t allow a walk in seven innings of work.
“Phillip was ahead of batters throughout the game,” Motta said. “He was only one fielding error in the seventh (inning) away from a perfect game.”
Goth needed just seven pitches to retire Valley Forge in the first inning. That was when Motta knew his senior was feeling it.
“We knew Phillip had a chance to pitch a gem and he far exceeded that with the no-hitter against a good Division I team,” Motta said. “He continues to get batters out.”
A three-year varsity starter and a two-year captain, Goth will continue his baseball career and education at Clarion University.
“Phillip is one of the most unassuming student athletes I've ever coached,” Motta said. “His leadership can not only be witnessed on the field but in the classroom as well. While being a competitor, he always plays with the highest level of sportsmanship.”
Major, nominated by coach Mona Ochoa, kicked off the first week of the season with a strong performance at the plate and in the pitching circle.
She batted .545 in three games with an on-base percentage of .615 and also recorded an earned run average of 1.75. In the classroom she carries a 4.00 grade point average.
“Alicia is a hard worker in the class room and on the field,” Ochoa said. “She's our team captain and leads by example. Alicia is a true leader on and off the field.”
Major also will continue her playing career in college.
“Because of her hard work in the classroom and on the field, Alicia will be attending Cleveland State University on a softball scholarship,” Ochoa said.
Oddo, nominated by Mayfield coach Matt Burk, batted .500 in two games. She was 4 for 8 with two doubles, six runs scored, four runs batted in and an on base percentage of .556.
“Sara is a three-year varsity starter and sets the example on the field,” Burk said. “She has assumed the role of leadoff hitter and even though she hates it, she has never complained one time. She is an example of a teammate.”
According to Burk, you don’t want to miss Odd’s at bats.
“When Sara gets in the batter’s box it is exciting to watch,” he said.
COACHES, NOMINATE YOUR PLAYERS
Coaches, click HERE to nominate your athletes for Ward’s Lawn Care & Landscape Co. Players of the Week. Athletes from all Northeast Ohio schools are eligible for the award and nominations are due by 10:00 p.m. every Tuesday.
