VIKINGS OFFENSE RAMPS UP FOR THE SWEEP

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LEAVITTSBURG OH- LaBrae dominated Campbell on Tuesday, securing a commanding 17-0 victory to complete the season sweep.

The offense came out swinging for LaBrae, with Owen Boone leading the charge, going 3-4 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored. Dylan Simpson contributed with a 2-4 performance, driving in 2 runs and scoring 1 himself, while Austin Rowe and Nate Goldner each added 2 hits and 2 RBI. Lucas Glaser chipped in with a perfect 2-2 at the plate, scoring 3 runs and driving in 1.

On the mound, Simpson was lights out, pitching 5 innings of one-hit ball, striking out an impressive 11 batters while issuing 3 walks.

Campbell struggled to get anything going against LaBrae’s pitching and defense, managing just one hit in the game.

LaBrae’s dominant performance on both offense and defense secured the big win and completed the season sweep over Campbell.

G-MEN EARN BIG SWEEP OF CRESTVIEW

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GARRETTSVILLE OH- Garfield completed their season sweep of Crestview on Tuesday with a hard-fought 5-3 win.

The Garfield offense showed up strong, led by Eric Geddes, who went 2-3 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. Aidan Hill also went 2-3 with an RBI, while Garrett Warnick and Jack Neikirk each contributed with a hit and an RBI.

On the mound, Geddes was outstanding, pitching a complete game, allowing 11 hits, 3 runs, and striking out an impressive 11 batters.

Crestview put up a fight, with Jayden Kimble reaching base twice with a hit, a walk, and driving in a run. Caden Booth and Max Hawkins also contributed with 2 hits each and an RBI.

On the pitching side for Crestview, Zach Davis pitched a solid 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs, and striking out 5 batters.

However, it was Garfield’s day as they held on for the win, completing the season sweep over Crestview with another strong performance at the plate and on the mound.

BULLDOGS STAY PERFECT AGAINST STRUTHERS

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POLAND, OH- The Poland Bulldogs took down Struthers 10-3 on Tuesday, fueled by a massive eight-run explosion in the fifth inning at Poland Seminary High School. The rally was sparked by hits left and right: Matt Paparodis, Ryan Dilullo, Jacob Hayes, Aiden Thompson, Jacob Jenkins, and Zach Livosky all delivered crucial singles that drove in runs, alongside a helpful Struthers error that added to the chaos.

The Bulldogs set the tone early, scoring in the first inning off a walk by Hayes and a Struthers error. However, Struthers bounced back, tying the game at two in the third thanks to J.R. Hovanec’s double. They even snatched a brief lead in the fifth when Drew Chizmar singled to make it 3-2.

Stephen Kopkash was the winning pitcher for the Bulldogs, handling his business with six hits and two runs over four innings while striking out nine. On the mound for Struthers, Mike Scavnicky faced the brunt of Poland’s offensive outburst, giving up five runs over three and two-thirds innings.

Paparodis not only contributed with his bat but also started on the mound for Poland, surrendering one run over two innings with three strikeouts. Meanwhile, Thompson pitched a clean inning in relief, striking out three and keeping Struthers at bay.

Zach Livosky stood out by driving in two crucial runs from the ninth spot in the lineup, and Matt Boccieri demonstrated discipline at the plate with two walks, contributing to the team’s total of six. The Bulldogs also showed off their speed, stealing a couple of bases, with Boccieri swiping two himself.

Struthers didn’t go quietly, racking up 10 hits, led by Scavnicky’s three-hit effort. Grady Moore also showed his speed, nabbing two bases as part of Struthers’ four total steals on the day.

Next up, the Bulldogs (11-0)will be back on their home turf Wednesday to face NE8 rival, South Range. 

FLASHES FIND NOTHING BUT SUCCESS

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WARREN OH- Champion left no doubt in their sweep over Liberty on Tuesday night, dominating with a resounding 22-1 victory over the Leopards.

The offense was on fire for Champion, with Marky Nolan leading the charge, going 4-5 with 4 RBI and 4 runs scored. Zach Morris and Shane Hixson also made significant contributions, with Morris going 3-5 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, and Hixson matching that with a 3-5 performance, driving in 3 runs and scoring 3 times. Carson Fife added to the onslaught, going 1-3 with 3 RBI, 1 walk, and 1 run scored, while Carter Chaplin stayed perfect at the plate, going 3-3 with 1 RBI, 2 walks, and scoring 3 runs.

On the mound, Bradey Quinby was lights out for Champion, pitching a complete game no-hitter through 5 innings, striking out an impressive 10 batters and allowing no hits or earned runs.

Champion’s dominant performance at the plate and on the mound secured the decisive win, leaving Liberty in the dust.

CANFIELD CAPTURES BATTLE OF THE CARDINALS

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CANFIELD OH- Canfield clinched a nail-biter against Cardinal Mooney on Tuesday, edging out a 4-3 victory. The Cardinals managed to fend off a late Mooney rally, only allowing 1 run in the top of the 7th inning before slamming the door shut.

Leading the charge for Canfield’s offense, Tanner Stricko went 1-2 with 1 RBI, while Michael Patellis contributed with a perfect 2-2 at the plate and scoring a run. David Murphy and Enzo Cocca each added to the scoreboard with 1 run scored apiece.

On the mound, Anthony Groner was stellar for Canfield, pitching 6 strong innings, allowing just 3 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 8 batters.

For Mooney, Jonathan Brenner blasted a solo home run, going 1-3 with 1 RBI and scoring a run, while Gabe Saunders went 2-3 and crossed the plate once.

Mooney’s pitching was anchored by Brenner, who pitched a solid 6 innings, surrendering 6 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 3.

In the end, Canfield’s pitching and timely hitting secured the win in a hard-fought battle against Cardinal Mooney.

BEAVERS SWING AWAY IN HIGH SCORING WIN

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EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a wild showdown on Tuesday night, Beaver Local snagged an 11-8 win against Bellaire.

T he bats were alive for Beaver Local, with Braxton Hickman going 2-3 with 3 RBI and 3 runs, Micah Jones smashing 3-4 with 3 RBI, and Britton Hickman adding 2-3 with 3 RBI and 3 runs.

On the mound, Andre Wiegand held it down for 3 innings, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 1. It was a rollercoaster of a game, but Beaver Local came out on top!

FITCH EDGES THE SPARTANS AGAIN

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AUSTINTOWN OH- The Falcons hosted AAC rival Boardman on Tuesday afternoon at Coppola Field and the game turned out to be a pitcher’s duel. After Boardman struck first for a run in the top of the 2nd inning, the Falcons responded with 2 runs in the home-half of the 4th and relied on the lefty Nick Kyrprianou to hold the Spartans bats at bay in a 2-1 victory for Fitch.

Kyprianou went 6.2 innings giving up 1 run on only 3 hits and struck out two batters to pick up the important league win.  He worked around some walks and got big outs when needed for the Falcons.  After allowing some base runners in the 7th inning, Carter Owens came on in relief for the second game in a row and slammed the down shut by striking out the final batter to pick up the save.

Offensively, Fitch went to work in the bottom of the 4th innings as the first three batters of the inning all reached on singles.  Owens started off with a single and was followed by Carson Fuller and Mason Petridis.  That set the stage for a sacrifice fly by Jackson Cheeks to score Owens and John Darnley followed with an RBI single to score Fuller.  That turned out to be all the offense the Falcons needed for the victory.

Fitch improves to 11-4 on the season and 5-1 in the All American Conference.  They will be back on Coppola Field on Wednesday, April 24 against Warren JFK in a make-up game from a postponement on April 12.  First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

*Contributed By Russel Houser

FALLS ON THE RISE; TIGERS BLANK BROOKFIELD

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NEWTON FALLS, OH- The Newton Falls Tigers shut out Brookfield 4-0 in a stellar Tuesday showdown, showcasing some slick fieldwork and timely hitting. The Tigers kicked off the scoring in the second inning when Georgie Phillips smacked a single that brought a runner home.

Trevor Ruscoe was the man on the mound, throwing a gem for Newton Falls. He pitched a complete game shutout, scattering just four hits across seven innings while striking out six. No walks, all business—that’s how Ruscoe rolled this game.

On the other side, Brookfield’s pitcher Hunter Warrender battled through, lasting six innings and striking out seven, but those three earned runs tipped the scales in the Tigers’ favor.

Carter Rapczak, batting seventh, really dialed it up, knocking in two runs and going 2-for-3 at the plate. He wasn’t just a threat with the bat; Rapczak swiped two bases, adding to the Tigers’ total of five stolen bases in the game. These guys were on the move, putting pressure on Brookfield all game long.

Defensively, the Tigers were locked in. They turned a smooth double play and didn’t drop a ball all day. Phillips was particularly busy, getting involved in nine plays. It was a clean, sharp performance from Newton Falls, showing off why they’re a team to keep an eye on this season.

So, another win in the books for the Tigers as they continue to tear up the base paths and clamp down on defense.

KNIGHTS PUT A STOP TO THE CRUSADERS

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CANTON OH- In a solid performance on Tuesday night, Hoban’s baseball team secured a 6-3 victory over Canton Central Catholic, showcasing their prowess on both offense and defense.

Hoban’s hitters came out swinging, putting up runs early to set the tone for the game. Landon Browning led the charge, going 2-3 at the plate with 2 RBIs. James Haupt also had a strong showing, contributing 2 hits and driving in a run. Justice Buckner and Breyan Stewart each added an RBI to the scoreboard, helping to fuel Hoban’s offensive effort.

On the mound, Peyton Weigand delivered a solid performance, holding Canton Central Catholic to just 1 earned run over 4 innings of work. Weigand’s strong outing included 5 strikeouts, keeping the opposing hitters in check and giving Hoban the defensive edge they needed to secure the win.

Despite some late-game pressure from Canton Central Catholic, Hoban’s pitching staff held their ground, closing out the game and sealing the victory for the team.

With this win, Hoban continues to build momentum and demonstrate their competitive edge as they move forward in the season. The Knights’ impressive performance on both offense and defense highlights their potential for success as they aim for further victories in the games to come.

FALCONS AND DRAGONS TAKE IT DOWN TO THE WIRE

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Jefferson, OH- In a cold and rainy showdown that went down to the wire, the Jefferson Falcons secured a dramatic 8-7 victory over the Lakeside Dragons on Tuesday, sealing the win in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Dragons struck first in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on two well-placed singles to grab an early lead. Wagner’s hit paved the way for Lakeside to put a run on the board.

However, the Falcons wasted no time responding, showcasing their resilience in the bottom of the first inning. Michael Riffle’s impressive triple and a wild pitch allowed Jefferson to tie the game, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle.

Jefferson surged ahead in the bottom of the second inning, with Braden Dietrich’s clutch double driving in a crucial run to give the Falcons a narrow 3-2 advantage.

Despite Lakeside’s resilient efforts, Jefferson continued to apply pressure, maintaining their lead until the top of the fourth inning. Lakeside rallied, reclaiming the lead with a trio of runs scored after a walk, a single by Stitt, and a run scored on a tag-up play by Crayton.

With the game on the line in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Falcons summoned their fighting spirit, staging a remarkable comeback. Giovanni Matticola’s clutch single drove in the winning run, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and securing the Falcons’ hard-fought victory.

Braden Dietrich emerged as the hero for Jefferson, earning the win on the mound with a stellar relief performance. His two innings of work stifled Lakeside’s offense, allowing just one earned run while striking out two batters.

Although Lakeside battled fiercely, it was Jefferson’s relentless determination and timely hitting that ultimately sealed the victory. Logan Saksa and Giovanni Matticola led the charge at the plate, each collecting two hits and driving in crucial runs for the Falcons.

Looking ahead, the Falcons are poised to carry this momentum into their next matchup against Lakeside on Wednesday, eager to build upon their success and continue their pursuit of victory.

For Lakeside, Caleb Stitt, Matt Wagner, and Chase Newsome showcased their offensive prowess, each collecting two hits in the contest. Despite the outcome, Lakeside demonstrated their defensive prowess, committing no errors and showcasing solid fielding throughout the game.