BLUE DEVILS STAY RED HOT IN MVAC

BERLIN CENTER OH-  McDonald made quick work of Western Reserve on Wednesday, cruising to a 21-1 blowout behind a lights-out performance from Gianna Mancini.

Mancini was in total control, striking out 11 and giving up just two hits and one run over five innings. The Blue Devils backed her with an offensive avalanche, including an 11-run second inning that completely blew the game open.

Things got rolling early with a walk and a bases-clearing double in the first to put McDonald up 4-0. Then came the second—a parade of hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches. Sophia Pecchia drove in two with a single, Kayla Helco and Marissa Colarich each walked in runs, and Alexis Hvisdak grounded out to bring in two more. The lineup just kept turning over, and Western Reserve had no answer.

By the time the third rolled around, McDonald was already in cruise control. A few more insurance runs came in off a walk, a groundout, and a single up the middle to stretch the lead even further.

Maddie Kelley took the loss for Western Reserve, battling through five innings but facing constant pressure as McDonald racked up 11 hits and 14 walks on the day.

Helco, Pecchia, and Mancini all collected two hits apiece, with Pecchia and Addison Grewell each driving in four runs. Colarich drew four walks and the team as a whole showed great patience at the plate.

In the field, McDonald didn’t blink—clean defense all the way through, with Grewell leading the charge with seven defensive plays.

Western Reserve scratched across one run and got a pair of hits, but Mancini was simply too much. McDonald keeps rolling, and will be tested at home on Thursday welcoming league leading Mineral Ridge.