The West Geauga Wolverines Softball Team had an incredible 2026 season!
The West Geauga Wolverines Softball Team had an incredible 2026 season!
This Wolverines squad did what no other softball team had done before in school history, they played for an OHSAA Regional Title against the Field Falcons on May 29 at Kent State University’s Devine Diamond.
And although the Wolverines lost to the Falcons 15-5 in the OHSAA Regional Title Game, they set the bar high for subsequent Wolverines’ softball teams.
“Unbelievable young ladies, incredible team, we just didn’t have it today,” West Geauga Head Coach Mark Percassi said. “They hit the ball hard. We hit the ball some, but right at them. They made plays.”
He continued: “We faced other DI kids that we got out the past three games. Today was their day, they just crushed the ball. I thought we were just a little bit off. We didn’t make a couple plays here and there and we didn’t hit the way we’re capable of.
“Some days it’s just not your day. It’s always harder when it’s in a big game like this, you’re top eight in the state, one game away from being in the final four. So, kudos to Field, I mean they really stroked the ball today.”
To get to the OHSAA Regional Title game against the Falcons, the Wolverines won four straight playoff games including victories over the Lake Catholic Cougars (18-3), Springfield Spartans (9-0), and the Edgewood Warriors (7-3).
Then, most recently, the Wolverines defeated the Elyria Catholic Panthers, 8-6, in the OHSAA Regional Semifinals on May 27 at Devine Diamond on the campus of Kent State University.
In the Regional Semifinal game against the Panthers, the Wolverines got down early, trailing 2-0 after one inning of play.
But just like in the District Championship game against the Warriors, the Wolverines came from behind to get the victory.
Down 2-0 in the top of the third inning against the Panthers, the Wolverines rallied for three runs in the top of the third inning.
After Gabby Donofrio walked, the Wolverines got on the scoreboard when Danica Talcott found the right center field gap for a double.
Malory Lear advanced Talcott to third base as she lined a single to right field. Lear then stole second base to give the Wolverines runners at second and third.
With no one out, Dayana Malone lined a single up the middle scoring Talcott and Lear.
The Wolverines added a run in the fourth inning.
With two out, Donofrio hit a bloop double down the right field line.
Donofrio then scored on a single to center field by Talcott.
Leading 4-2, the Wolverines added four runs in the top of the sixth inning on a two out rally as they took an 8-2 lead over the Panthers.
Donofrio got the rally started with a triple which brought in Gianna Lallitto from second base. Next, Talcott singled to drive in Donofrio from third base. Talcott scored the Wolverines seventh run on a fielding error by the Panthers.
The Wolverines plated their final run of the game when Malone lined a double into the left center field gap to score Lear from third base.
The Panthers added two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the final score, 8-6.
For the OHSAA Regional Semifinal game, the Wolverines were led offensively by Talcott (3-3, 1 2B, 3 RBI). Donofrio (2-3, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI), Malone (2-4, 1 2B, 3 RBI).
In the OHSAA Regional Final game against the Field Falcons on May 29 at Kent State University, the Wolverines scored three runs in the first inning.
The Wolverines got runners into scoring position on singles by
Malone and Peyton Gambatese and a walk to Morgan Atwara. Lely Percassi then drove in three runs on a line drive single.
The Wolverines added two runs in the third inning on a two-run home run by Faelynn Beckrest which got the Wolverines within one run of the Falcons at 6-5.
That would be as close as the Wolverines would get in the OHSAA Regional Title Game. The Falcons scored the next nine runs of the contest to claim the Regional Title victory.
Leading the Wolverines offensively in the Regional Final against the Falcons were Beckrest (2-3, HR, 2 RBI), and Lear (2-3).
As the season came to an end, Coach Percassi reflected on the Wolverines’ run to the elite eight.
“What an incredibly cohesive group they are,” Coach Percassi said. “They pick each other up all the time. They don’t get down on each other. When somebody’s down and needs picked up, they were always there for each other. They just never quit, even to the end here, they fought. Sometimes you lose, and its no fun, but they did it the right way. They gave all effort all the time. I’ll never forget them because of that.”
