HERALDS 4TH INNING FIREWORKS LEAD TO WIN OVER LAKERS

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Ashatbula, OH- In a thrilling showdown, the St. John Heralds emerged victorious over the Pymatuning Valley Lakers with a resounding 11-6 triumph on Tuesday. Brady Cole led the charge with a flawless performance, collecting three hits in as many at-bats, including a crucial double in the fourth inning and two timely singles.

The Lakers struck first, with Drake Haines delivering a pivotal single in the top of the first inning, putting them on the scoreboard early. However, the Heralds wasted no time responding, as Ryan Williams’ double and an error leveled the score in the bottom half of the inning.

The momentum swung decisively in favor of the Heralds in the fourth inning, as they erupted for seven runs on four hits, seizing a commanding 9-2 lead. Cole’s double proved to be the highlight of the inning, driving in three crucial runs.

Will Anderson anchored the Heralds on the mound, delivering a solid performance over five innings, surrendering just one earned run while striking out nine batters. Meanwhile, Smith started for the Lakers, enduring a challenging outing over four innings.

Offensively, the Heralds showcased their firepower with 10 hits in the game, with Anthony Severino and Williams leading the charge with multiple hits each. Severino’s speed was on full display as he swiped three bases, contributing to the Heralds’ aggressive baserunning, which resulted in six stolen bases overall.

Defensively, the Heralds executed flawlessly, turning a crucial double play to stifle any Lakers’ rally attempts.

Despite the loss, the Lakers found some success at the plate, with Wludyga driving in three runs and Haines and Ryan Croston each collecting two hits.

Looking ahead, the Heralds will carry their winning momentum into their next matchup against Badger on Wednesday, aiming to maintain their dominance on the field. As for the Lakers, they’ll hit the road to face the Chalker Wildcats, eager to bounce back and secure victory in their upcoming game.

FALCONS LOSE A CLOSE ONE IN REMATCH WITH EAGLES

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Photo Credit: Tanya Jean Photography

Geneva, OH- The Jefferson Falcons found themselves in a hard-fought battle against the Geneva Eagles, ultimately falling short in a heart-wrenching 7-6 loss on Tuesday, decided in the final moments of the game. With the score knotted at six in the bottom of the seventh, Geneva’s Kean Arkenburg sealed the victory with a decisive line-out, driving in the winning run.

Geneva wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to an early lead with a pair of singles in the bottom of the first inning, courtesy of Andrew Oros’s clutch hit.

The Eagles continued to press their advantage, extending their lead to 5-2 in the third inning thanks to a timely single by Shea Arkenburg.

Undeterred, the Falcons rallied back in the top of the fourth, leveling the score at six apiece with a crucial walk by Tate Hudson and a well-executed play off a passed ball.

However, Geneva quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on a Falcons error to edge ahead 6-5.

Jefferson refused to go down without a fight, knotting the score once again in the top of the seventh, courtesy of Michael McGraw’s groundout.

Ultimately, it was Geneva’s Logan Queen who emerged as the hero, earning the win on the mound with a stellar performance, surrendering zero earned runs over three and two-thirds innings, while striking out five.

For the Falcons, Toby Dickson endured a tough outing, pitching six and two-thirds innings and allowing three earned runs on eight hits, despite his valiant effort.

Offensively, Dickson led the charge for the Falcons, going 3-for-4 at the plate, while Hudson provided crucial support with three walks.

Despite the loss, the Falcons showcased patience and discipline at the plate, accumulating seven walks throughout the game.

On the Eagles’ side, Queen, Hewitt Wilt, and Oros each collected two hits, while Arkenburg and Queen proved to be a formidable offensive duo, driving in two runs apiece.

As the Falcons regroup for their next matchup against Pymatuning Valley, they’ll look to channel their resilience and determination, aiming to bounce back and secure victory on Thursday.

SPARTANS BASEBALL STUMBLES AGAINST BLUE STREAKS

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Madison, OH- The Conneaut Spartans faced a formidable challenge against the Madison Blue Streaks, succumbing to an 11-1 defeat on Tuesday at Madison High School.

Madison wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Evan Smith’s single driving in the opening run in the third inning.

The Blue Streaks continued to pour on the pressure, exploding for five runs on four hits in the fourth inning. Alexander Davis, Landon Tomco, and Ben Amos delivered clutch hits to extend Madison’s lead.

On the mound, Eddy Gvora showcased his pitching prowess for the Blue Streaks, allowing just one hit and one unearned run over six innings, while striking out an impressive 11 batters.

J.R. Hutchison endured a challenging outing for the Spartans, surrendering six runs (two earned) over three and two-thirds innings, despite tallying six strikeouts.

Offensively, Ethan Osborne provided a lone highlight for the Spartans, driving in a run while going 1-for-2 at the plate.

For the Blue Streaks, Tomco emerged as a standout performer, leading the team with three runs batted in, showcasing the depth of Madison’s lineup. Davis also made significant contributions, collecting two hits in two at-bats.

Amos displayed his speed on the basepaths, swiping two bases, while the Blue Streaks collectively wreaked havoc with five stolen bases throughout the game.

As the Spartans regroup for their next matchup against the Perry Pirates, they’ll aim to learn from this experience and come back stronger, determined to turn the tide in their favor on their home turf.

DRAGONS FALL TO WARRIORS IN FINAL INNING

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Story by Larry Jennings

Ashtabula, OH- In a thrilling showdown on the diamond, Edgewood’s Varsity Warriors clashed with the Lakeside Dragons in a nail-biting baseball matchup that showcased stellar pitching performances and tense moments until the very end. On Monday, both teams brought their A-game, but it was the Edgewood Warriors who emerged victorious, edging out the Lakeside Dragons with a final score of 2-1.

The spotlight shone brightly on the pitchers as Logan Kray took the mound for Edgewood, while Lakeside sent Alex DiSalvatore to the bump. From the outset, it was evident that runs would be at a premium, as both hurlers showcased their prowess on the mound.
Kray proved to be a force to be reckoned with, racking up an impressive 12 strikeouts over six innings of work. Despite facing some pressure, he held Lakeside to just two hits and one run, displaying his command and dominance on the rubber.
Meanwhile, DiSalvatore  kept pace, going toe-to-toe with Kray. He pitched a solid seven innings, allowing just three hits and two runs, one of which was earned. DiSalvatore  showcased his own striking prowess, tallying nine strikeouts while issuing only one walk.
The game remained deadlocked until the late innings when the tension reached its peak. In the second inning, Edgewood managed to scrape across a run thanks to a wild pitch, taking an early lead. However, Lakeside fought back, leveling the score at one apiece in the bottom of the sixth inning with Zach Palmer’s clutch sacrifice fly.
As the game hung in the balance in the top of the seventh, Edgewood seized the opportunity to break the tie. An error by Lakeside allowed the Warriors to push across the decisive run, swinging the momentum in their favor.
Despite Lakeside’s valiant effort at the plate, drawing six walks and displaying aggressive baserunning with four stolen bases, they ultimately fell short in their quest for victory. Zach Palmer’s lone RBI stood as a testament to Lakeside’s resilience, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Edgewood’s pitching prowess and opportunistic offense, with Tony Hall scoring both runs for the Warriors.
The Dragons didn’t go down without a fight, however. Lakeside had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh with one out, but Alex Sperduto got a pop out and a fly ball out to end the game.
In the end, it was Logan Kray who earned the win for Edgewood, while Alex Desalvator was saddled with the loss for Lakeside. Aiden Hernandez, Logan Rudolph, and Riley Baldwin each contributed with a hit for the victorious Warriors, while Caleb Stitt, Gage Tome, Alex DiSalvatore, and Chase Newsom collected hits for the Lakeside Dragons.
With the dust settled on this thrilling encounter, Edgewood Warriors look ahead to their rematch against the Lakeside Dragons at Walter C Higgins Field at Edgewood High School on Tuesday. As the two teams prepare to square off once again, fans can expect another intense battle on the diamond as both sides seek redemption and bragging rights in this fiercely contested rivalry.

EAGLES FLY PAST FALCONS ON THE BASEBALL FIELD

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Photo Credit: Tanya Jean Photography

Jefferson, OH- The Jefferson Falcons faced a tough challenge against the Geneva Eagles, falling short in a 17-2 defeat on Monday.

The Eagles wasted no time getting ahead, capitalizing on opportunities in the first inning to take an early lead. Curtis Maier’s double, combined with errors from the Falcons, allowed them to jump ahead with a quick run.

Geneva continued to build on their advantage in the second inning, with Maier’s single and a smart tag up adding to their tally.

Despite the Falcons’ efforts to rally, the Eagles maintained control, adding two more runs in the third inning, courtesy of Sebastian Hall’s walk.

The Eagles’ offense truly soared in the sixth inning, exploding for eight runs on four hits. Shea Arkenburg and Wyatt Habina delivered key hits, while an error and another double from Maier extended the Eagles’ lead significantly.

Hewitt Wilt shone on the mound for the Eagles, pitching with precision and striking out nine batters over four and two-thirds innings to secure the win.

On the Falcons’ side, Luke Lambert battled through two innings on the mound, but ultimately couldn’t contain the Eagles’ potent offense.

Offensively, Tate Hudson, Toby Dickson, Giovanni Matticola, and Logan Saksa each contributed with hits for the Falcons, with Hudson and Dickson also driving in runs.

For the Eagles, Maier stood out with an impressive performance, leading the team with four runs batted in while collecting three hits. Habina and Andrew Oros also made significant offensive contributions, each with multiple hits.

Geneva displayed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks throughout the game, with Ryland Besco, Kean Arkenburg, and Wilt leading the charge. Besco also showcased his speed on the basepaths, stealing two bases.

As the Falcons regroup for their next matchup against Geneva, they’ll aim to learn from this experience and come back stronger on Tuesday.

BADGERS WRANGLE THE MUSTANGS

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Photo Credit: Jocyln Nicholas

Burton, OH- In a tough outing for the Grand Valley Varsity Mustangs, the Berkshire Varsity Badgers dominated the diamond, securing a convincing 10-0 victory on Monday.

From the onset, the Badgers wasted no time in asserting their dominance, capitalizing on an error in the first inning to snatch an early lead, scoring two runs. Their offensive prowess continued to shine in the bottom of the third inning, with key contributions from Ethan Martin and Lou Filby, who combined to extend Berkshire’s lead with a combination of smart plays and power hitting.

Martin’s stellar performance wasn’t limited to the plate, as he also showcased his prowess on the mound, stifling the Mustangs’ offense with just one hit allowed over five innings, while striking out an impressive nine batters.

On the other side, Eric Ellsworth endured a challenging outing for the Mustangs, surrendering six runs (two earned) over two and one-third innings, despite his efforts to keep the Badgers at bay.

Offensively, the Mustangs struggled to find their rhythm, with Justin Hagan being the lone standout, going 1-for-2 at the plate.

Meanwhile, the Badgers’ offense fired on all cylinders, amassing 10 hits throughout the game. Filby emerged as a key contributor, notching three runs batted in, while leadoff hitter Sam Barcikoski set the tone with an impressive three hits in four at-bats. Patrick Brancel and Martin also made significant offensive contributions, each collecting multiple hits, while Paul Brent showcased his speed on the basepaths with two stolen bases.

As the Mustangs look to bounce back, they’ll hit the road for their next matchup against Berkshire, aiming to turn the tables in their favo

SPARTANS MARCH PAST DRAGONS ON THE SOFTBALL DIAMOND

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Photo Credit: Conneaut Softball

Conneaut, OH- In a dominant display of Spartan prowess, Alexis Brown emerged as the hero, driving in four runs on two solid hits, propelling the Conneaut Spartans to a commanding 15-5 victory over the Lakeside Dragons on Monday.

Right from the outset, the Dragons attempted to assert themselves, scoring a solitary run in the first inning off a passed ball. However, the Spartans quickly seized control of the game in the bottom of the first, unleashing a barrage of offense that saw them score five runs on four hits, establishing a formidable 5-1 lead. The highlight of the inning came from none other than Alexis Brown, whose clutch single with an 0-2 count drove in two crucial runs.

The Spartans didn’t let up, further solidifying their dominance with a seven-run onslaught in the bottom of the second inning. Brown once again played a pivotal role, this time doubling to drive in two runs, while stellar performances from Vina Sanford, Ashlyn Sherman, and Maddy Drew contributed to the offensive onslaught.

On the mound, Brown showcased her versatility, not only delivering at the plate but also earning the win as a pitcher. Despite facing some resistance, she held her ground, surrendering just five hits and two earned runs over five innings, while striking out three.

Ella Boriski, Brown, and Kylie Taylor emerged as offensive standouts for the Spartans, each collecting two hits, while Drew demonstrated exceptional discipline at the plate, drawing two walks.

Defensively, the Spartans exhibited their prowess, executing a crucial double play during the game, further frustrating the Dragons’ efforts to mount a comeback.

As for the Dragons, despite their best efforts, they were unable to contain the Spartans’ relentless offensive onslaught. Lavender led the offensive charge for Lakeside with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, supported by contributions from Gildersleeve, Aubrey Lavender, and Brooke DiBell.

Looking ahead, the Conneaut Spartans are poised to carry their momentum into their next matchup against Pymatuning Valley, while the Lakeside Dragons will regroup for their upcoming home game against the Falcons

HANNA TO LEAD FALCONS ON THE COURT AND THE FIELD

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Ashtabula, OH- The Jefferson Falcons are gearing up for an exciting season ahead next year as they announce Brandon Hanna as their new head high school girls basketball coach. Hanna, already renowned for his leadership as the Falcons’ head football coach, brings a wealth of coaching experience and a proven track record of success to the girls basketball program.

Having steered the Falcons’ football team to its first-ever regional championship, Hanna is no stranger to guiding teams to greatness. His appointment follows the departure of former head coach TJ Furman, who played a pivotal role in the development of the girls basketball program at Jefferson over the years.

Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, Hanna credits Coach Furman for his mentorship and the solid foundation he’s inherited. “I’m blessed and honored to lead both of these programs,” Hanna remarks. “We thrive in these uncommon opportunities.”

With six years of coaching experience in girls AAU and a successful stint as the Jefferson Falcons’ 8th grade girls coach, Hanna is poised to make an immediate impact. His previous coaching endeavors boast an impressive 17-2 record as the girls 8th grade coach, indicative of his ability to nurture talent and drive results.

Hanna’s transition to coaching girls basketball is seamless, given his longstanding involvement with the sport. “I’ve been running the only local girls AAU program in the county for a few years now,” he shares. “I’m believing that will help our program in the near future.”

Excited about the prospects of the upcoming season, Hanna is confident in the talent and dedication of the players under his wing. “Excited would be an understatement,” he exclaims. “We have a solid group of girls returning, as well as a solid group of girls coming out of our Jr. High program.”

Setting ambitious goals for the team, Hanna aims high with aspirations of reaching the state tournament. “The goal is to punch our ticket to Dayton,” he declares. “The larger the vision, the greater the process! We understand there are many things that need to happen before that, but we’re looking forward to thriving in the process!! I thank God daily for preparing me for these moments.”

Addressing any concerns about his transition from football to girls basketball, Hanna reassures everyone of his commitment to the team. “If anyone is worried about the coaching transition from Football to Girls Basketball, just know that I’m a Girl Dad first,” he affirms.

As Brandon Hanna embarks on this new chapter as head girls basketball coach, the Jefferson Falcons can anticipate a season filled with determination, growth, and a relentless pursuit of excellence under his guidance.

HERALDS BASEBALL CAGES THE WILDCATS

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Southington, OH- In an impressive display of pitching dominance, Ryan Williams led the St. John Heralds to a commanding 11-1 victory over the Chalker Wildcats on Wednesday at Chalker High School. Williams showcased his skills on the mound, tallying an impressive 11 strikeouts while allowing just two hits and one run over four innings of work, setting the tone for the Heralds’ dominant performance.

The Heralds wasted no time asserting their offensive prowess, particularly in the third inning, where they exploded for seven runs to seize control of the game. Contributions from Anthony Severino, Ezra Campbell, Nick Karr, Bryson Vennitti, and Brady Cole fueled the scoring spree, with each player playing a crucial role in driving in runs and extending the Heralds’ lead.

St. John got on the board early in the first inning, with Campbell’s double driving in two runs and Cole drawing a walk to add another run to their tally.

On the mound for the Chalker Wildcats, Vince DelVecchio faced a tough outing, surrendering five runs (four earned) over two innings, while Aaron Wychock provided solid relief pitching for the Heralds, tossing one inning of scoreless ball.

Offensively, the Heralds showcased their depth, collecting nine hits throughout the game. Severino and Campbell proved to be a formidable duo in the lineup, each driving in three runs, while Cole contributed two hits in two at-bats. The Heralds’ disciplined approach at the plate was evident, as they drew eight walks, with Wychock, Williams, and Will Anderson leading the team with two free passes each.

The Heralds’ aggressive baserunning added to their offensive onslaught, as they swiped four bases during the game, while their solid defensive play was highlighted by a well-executed double play.

Despite the Wildcats’ efforts, including hits from Del Vecchio and Zach Pack, they were unable to overcome the Heralds’ dominant performance.

Looking ahead, the St. John Heralds will carry their momentum into their next challenge on the road against the Windham Bombers on Thursday, aiming to continue their winning streak and maintain their position as a formidable force in the NAC.

LAKERS BRING THE PAYNE IN WIN OVER ROCKETS

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Maplewood, OH- In a commanding display of offensive prowess, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers secured an impressive 8-2 victory over the Maplewood Rockets on Wednesday, fueled by the stellar performance of Saige Payne at the plate.

Payne’s bat was on fire, delivering three hits in as many at-bats, including a crucial double in the fourth inning and singles in the third and sixth innings, setting the tone for the Lakers’ offensive onslaught.

The Lakers wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Macie Payne driving in the opening run with a single in the top of the first inning. Saige Payne extended the Lakers’ lead to 3-0 with another timely single in the third inning, paving the way for their commanding victory.

On the mound, Payne showcased her versatility, not only delivering at the plate but also earning the win with a solid pitching performance, surrendering just one earned run on four hits over seven innings, while striking out an impressive nine batters and demonstrating excellent control.

Maplewood’s E Perline faced a tough outing, absorbing the loss after allowing eight runs on 13 hits over seven innings, while striking out two and walking six.

Saige Payne wasn’t alone in her offensive prowess, as Allison Clark, McKenna Jordan, and Rylee Young also made significant contributions with multiple hits for the Lakers. The Lakers’ lineup proved formidable, with both Paynes driving in three runs each, showcasing the depth and power of their batting order.

The Lakers exhibited patience at the plate, drawing six walks throughout the game, while also capitalizing on their speed with seven stolen bases, led by Clark and Jordan.

Despite Maplewood’s efforts, including a run batted in by R Krieg and solid hitting from E Nevinski, the Lakers’ dominant performance proved too much to handle.

Looking ahead, the Lakers will carry their momentum into their next matchup against the Grand Valley Mustangs on Thursday, aiming to continue their winning streak and further solidify their position as a force to be reckoned with in the league.