The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
New South coach hopeful for season
Burk inherits one of the most talented rosters in the area
Anyone who has ever sat down at a poker table in Las Vegas and was dealt a royal flush on the first hand, only to have the casino close on them before playing the hand knows what it’s like to be Matt Burk.
Burk was hired this offseason to be the head coach of the South softball team, a program loaded with talent — including three-time News-Herald player of the year Riley Frizell — and experience.
It is a team built for a potential deep tournament run. Enter the novel coronavirus. Bye-bye season.
Or at least that’s what it’s starting to look like after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced earlier this week that school campuses will remain closed through at least May 1 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“It’s like getting the perfect poker hand and the game is canceled before you can even bet,” Burk said with a sigh.
Burk is no stranger to area softball, or to the South program.
A 20-year coaching veteran of the Ohio Hurricanes travel softball program, Burk also spent two years as the head coach at Mayfield. The past three years he was the junior varsity coach for South.
Not only did Burk attend South High, but his daughter, Mackenzie, played softball for the Rebels and graduated from South.
Burk is taking over the coaching position left vacant when the contract of previous coach Erin Dodson was non-renewed following the 20019 season.
“I know the girls on the team well, being at practices and coaching the JV team,” Burk said. “Even before I applied, I called Erin to ask her about it. I wanted to make sure our friendship stayed there. She said she expected me to apply for it and hoped I would get it so I could continue on what she had done with the program.”
The Rebels return seven starters (and all but four players) from a team that went 19-5 last season before being upset by Chardon in a Division I district semifinal.
Senior Frizell (.634, 14 home runs, 58 RBI) and junior Makenna Matriano (.538, 27 RBI, 29 runs) were first team News-Herald allstars last year, but other big bats such as Kalie Eshelman, Ava Scott and Cat Heckman also return — whenever action this season commences.
“We’re so much deeper than Riley Frizell,” Burk said. “We have the 37th best player in the country on our team, an automatic leader. But we’re so much
deeper than just her. She makes a world of difference, but everyone on this team contributes to make us as strong as we are.”
Burk said the team got in three practices — all on their new softball field next to the new school — but that he noticed everyone on the roster willing to do their part whether they started or were a role player coming off the bench.
Goals are high for Burk and the Rebels. All they need is a chance to get on the field, whenever the restrictions from the pandemic are lifted.
“If you’re fortunate enough to do well in the Mentor District, once you get to the next level in Akron, anything is possible,” Burk said of a potential run at a state tournament berth. “If we get hot at the right time, then definitely we can. But you could say the same thing about Bill Ross’ (Riverside) team and Mentor’s team. There are some very talented teams up here.”
If schools do re-open on Monday, May 4, the spring sports season for all sports would be played with an abbreviated schedule.
Burk said he has sent workout suggestions to his players to do on their own in the meantime.
“I don’t ask them for proof on whether they’re doing it. But it’s their season,” Burk said. “I know they’re itching to get out there to play. If we’re able to get back out there, we’re going to be ready to go.”