RAIDERS NE8 DOMINANCE CONTINUES

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STRUTHERS OH- Giada Pauline drove in four runs on three hits to lead South Range  past Struthers 22-2 on Tuesday. Pauline singled in the fourth scoring two, hit a sacrifice fly in the second scoring one, and singled in the third scoring one.

The Raiders opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. They first got on the board when Jayli Wilt singled, scoring two runs. They added to their early lead in the top of the second inning when Pauline hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, Gretchen Bartels singled, scoring two runs, and Solena DeJesus lined out, scoring one run. The Raiders added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Pauline singled, and Anna Aey lined out, each scoring one run.

South Range Varsity Raiders scored seven runs on six hits in the top of the fourth inning. Addison Wardle singled, scoring one run, Katie Dance drew a walk, scoring one run, Pauline singled, scoring two runs, Aey grounded out, scoring one run, Kiera Winner singled, scoring one run, and Heidi Bartels doubled, scoring one run.

South Range scored six runs on four hits in the top of the fifth inning. Aey drew a walk, scoring one run, iLilah Angus hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored, Winner singled, scoring two runs, DeJesus singled, scoring one run, and Wardle drew a walk, scoring one run.

Wilt earned the win for the Raiders. The right-handed pitcher surrendered two hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out eight and walking none. DeJesus appeared in relief for South Range.

South Range piled up 19 hits in the game. DeJesus, Pauline, and Wilt each collected three hits. Bartels and Winner each collected multiple hits. The Raiders had patience at the plate, collecting 10 walks for the game. Bartels and Riley DeCiancio led the team with two free passes each. Keira Brogan stole two bases. The team ran wild on the base paths, accumulating seven stolen bases for the game.

CARROLLTON SPOILS SALEM HOME OPENER

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SALEM OH- The Salem Quakers took the field for the first time this year on their home field. Oh, what a beautiful field it is with a new infield & fence. They say you look good, you play good. That’s exactly what the defense did despite the 1-0 loss.

Sophomore Morgane Blaine went the distance in the circle allowing just 1 run, striking out 5 & walking just 1. She kept the Warriors off balance throughout & made them hit her pitches. Another great performance from pitch caller & battery mate Channing Toy. No wild pitches / no passed balls.

Bella Brant & Hadley Carlisle each made great plays on the corners of the infield on some hard shots. Lauryn Barton chased down a ball in the gap from her centerfield position.

Offensively Salem struggled as a team to find the gaps. The Quaker offense didn’t strike out once on evening. Channing Toy drew the only two walks in the game. Morgane Blaine & Lauryn Barton each singled.

In the first inning Salem knocked on the door loading the bases with one out before hitting into a double play. In the final frame (7th) Bella Brant led off with a singled followed up with a single from Lainey Thorpe. With runners at 2nd & 3rd & two outs the Carrollton pitcher made a great play on a ball hit hard up the middle to make the final out. A heart breaking loss but Salem looks to get back in the win column tomorrow vs Alliance at home.

Salem is 1-1 now in conference play. It was awesome seeing softball alumni represent in the stands. Thanks Alyssa, Mack, Dorothy, Hannah, Bailee & Brooke!

*Contributed By Michael Thorpe at salemathletics.org

CANFIELD TAKES THEIR SHOT, SNAPS FALCONS LONG WIN STREAK

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By Ty Bartell 

CANFIELD, Ohio — The Austintown-Fitch varsity softball team suffered its first loss since May 28, 2022, ending a remarkable streak of 682 calendar days and 28 games without defeat in a drenching-thunderstorm ending 2-1 setback to All-American Conference neighboring rival Canfield.

The showdown unfolded Tuesday at Field #7 at McCune Park, where mother nature intervened with two outs in the Fitch 7th inning. Junior second baseman Sam Severn stood at third base, carrying the tying run. Severn had reached base with an infield single, advanced to second on a sacrifice, and then moved to third on a wild pitch by Canfield’s senior pitcher Malena Toth. As sophomore pinch-hitter Lily Stevens battled Toth in a tense at-bat, the skies opened up with intense thunder, lightning, and rain, forcing the umpires to clear the field. After a 10-minute delay and no signs of the weather letting up, the game was called due to at least five full innings being completed.

The last time Fitch faced a non-win was a 1-1 tie against Canfield on May 29, 2023. Both teams later competed in State title games on June 3, 2023, with Fitch clinching the Division I championship and Canfield coming up just short to Tallmadge.

The game showcased a classic pitcher’s duel between Lady Cardinal senior Malena Toth (7-1) and Lady Falcon junior Sydnie Watts (4-1). Toth, who secured her first win against Fitch in six career starts, was instrumental in both of Canfield’s runs, drawing a leadoff walk in the 2nd inning and hitting a crucial double in the 6th inning. Canfield’s sophomore designated player, Caylee Ortiz, and catcher Leah Figueroa were pivotal in driving in the runs.

Despite a valiant effort from Watts, who struck out nine batters over six innings, she could not slam the door shut with two down in the bottom of the sixth. Watts yielded five hits and two earned runs, while Toth allowed four hits and one earned run while striking out six.

Figueroa emerged as the hero for Canfield, delivering the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Her clutch performance earned her Player of The Game honors.

With this loss, Fitch moves to a 4-1 record, while Canfield improves to 7-1. Canfield will next host the Boardman Spartans (5-3) on Wednesday, April 10th, while Fitch will seek to bounce back against conference opponent, the Warren Harding Raiders, also on Wednesday in Warren, Ohio.

Stay updated with Austintown-Fitch and Canfield softball all season long with live games, scores, stats, stories, and more on YSN!

LIBERTY CONTINUES TO SCORE IN MVAC PLAY

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Rachel Strohmeyer hit two home runs and drove in four as Liberty Varsity Leopards 24′ defeated Brookfield Varsity Lady Warriors 13-2 on Tuesday. Strohmeyer homered in the third and fifth innings.

Liberty got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Chloe Fleps singled, Sara Horn singled, and they scored on a passed ball, each scoring one run. They scored one run in the bottom of the third on a solo home run to center field by Strohmeyer on an 0-2 count. They weren’t done there, they scored six runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sarah Spisak drew a walk, scoring one run, Fleps doubled, scoring two runs, and Strohmeyer homered to center field, scoring three runs.

Strohmeyer led things off in the circle for Liberty Varsity Leopards 24′ The righty gave up six hits and two runs (one earned) over five innings, striking out five and walking one. Kaylin Poggi began the game for Brookfield Varsity Lady Warriors. The starting pitcher allowed 17 hits and 13 runs (12 earned over four and one-third innings, striking out four and walking one.

Liberty amassed 17 hits in the game. Fleps drove the middle of the lineup, leading with five runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 3-for-4 on the day. Mia Parker set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading with four hits in four at bats. Strohmeyer, Brooklyn Ciminero, and Bella Hernandez each collected multiple hits. The Leopards were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Ciminero had the most chances in the field with five.

Keilani Malufau led Brookfield with two hits in three at bats. Lilly Randall and Rylie Burdge each drove in one run. The Warriors were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Arianna Jones made the most plays with three.

LAKEVIEW GRABS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE WIN

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Mackenzie Stowe collected four hits in four at bats, as Lakeview defeated Hubbard 5-2 on Tuesday. Stowe hit a solo home run to center field in the first inning, doubled in the second inning, doubled in the fourth inning, and singled in the sixth inning.

Lakeview got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Stowe hit a solo home run to center field, Kennedy Bartlett doubled, scoring one run, and Hallie Capan homered to left field, scoring three runs. Hubbard answered and scored one run in the top of the fifth on a solo home run to center field by Lauren Komorek.

Ava Bacon earned the win for the Bulldogs. The starting pitcher allowed three hits and two runs over six innings, striking out seven and walking one. Haleigh Taylor took the loss for the Eagles. The starting pitcher went one inning, surrendering five runs on five hits, striking out none and walking none. Isabella Isenberg tossed one inning of shutout ball for Lakeview in relief. The right-handed pitcher surrendered one hit, striking out one and walking none.

The Bulldogs piled up 10 hits in the game. Capan led with three runs batted in. The outfielder went 1-for-3 on the day. Paige Schwartz collected three hits in three at bats.

Komorek went 2-for-4 at the plate as they led the team with one run batted in. Hubbard didn’t commit a single error in the field. Komorek had the most chances in the field with eight.

CLIPPERS CLAMP DOWN ON HARDING

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COLUMBIANA OH- Maryn Hepler drove in five runs on three hits to lead Columbiana past Warren G. Harding 9-1 on Tuesday. Hepler tripled in the second scoring three, doubled in the fourth scoring one, and hit a solo home run to right field in the sixth scoring one.

Mackenzi Gamble struck out 11 batters on the day. The starting pitcher also gave up one hit and one run over six innings while walking three.

A walk by Delanie Riley put the Raiders on the board in the top of the first. Columbiana flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the second, scoring six runs on three hits to take a 6-1 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a triple by Hepler that drove in three. Hepler hit a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth as well.

Karly Trisler took the loss for the Raiders. She went six innings, giving up nine runs on 10 hits, striking out three and walking two. Caitlynn Pleska tossed one inning of zero-run ball for Columbiana in relief. She surrendered one hit, striking out one and walking none.

Columbiana tallied 10 hits in the game. Ava Davanzo and Cameron Perkins each collected multiple hits. They didn’t commit a single error in the field. Perkins had the most chances in the field with 15.

Breasia Butler and Azarriah Phillips each collected one hit for Warren Harding. The Raiders were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Chase Powell made the most plays with eight.

 

TIGERS EVEN UP SEASON SERIES WITH BOARDMAN

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Brooke Tatar was dominant in the circle, as the righty rang up 14 strikeouts in Howland’s 4-1 victory over Boardman on Tuesday at Howland Township Park. Tatar allowed three hits and one run over seven innings while walking four.

Boardman got on the board in the first inning after Alex Ward hit a solo home run to center field. Howland answered and jumped into the lead in the bottom of the first when Maya Kubancsek doubled, scoring two runs, Sydney VanNess grounded out, scoring one run, and Lily Ansel singled, scoring one run.

Gabi Sferra took the loss for Boardman. The right-handed pitcher went six innings, giving up four runs on six hits, striking out five and walking three.

Kubancsek provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Tigers with two runs batted in. The third baseman went 1-for-3 on the day. Alyssa Massucci and Tatar each collected two hits.

Ward went 1-for-3 at the plate as the infielder led the team with one run batted in. Maddie Wymer, Ava Freeborough, and Ward each collected one hit. The Spartans didn’t commit a single error in the field. Olivia LaCivita had the most chances with seven.

FALCONS SOAR IN HIGH SCORING BATTLE WITH SPARTANS

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Photo Credit: Tanya Jean Photography

Jefferson, OH- The Jefferson Falcons soared to a thrilling 15-9 victory over the Conneaut Spartans, powered by Kennidie Rogers’ spectacular performance at the plate. Rogers was the standout star of the game, driving in an impressive five runs on four hits, including a memorable inside-the-park home run in the sixth inning that electrified the crowd.

From the outset, the Falcons asserted their dominance, jumping to an early lead in the first inning thanks to stellar hits from Allison Hill and Rylee DeMattia. The momentum continued in the second inning as the Falcons plated five more runs, fueled by Rogers’ clutch hitting and a string of well-executed plays.

Despite a spirited effort from the Spartans, highlighted by Maddy Drew’s towering home run in the third inning, Jefferson maintained control of the game. Even as Conneaut rallied with five runs of their own in the fourth inning, the Falcons remained undeterred, answering back with another five-run explosion in the sixth inning.

On the mound, Olivia Lewis battled through four innings for the Falcons, while Ada Sirrine provided solid relief pitching, shutting down the Spartans’ offense and securing the victory.

Offensively, the Falcons were firing on all cylinders, amassing an impressive 16 hits throughout the game. Notable contributions came from Mia Contenza, Hill, Sirrine, and DeMattia, who each delivered multiple hits to keep the Falcons’ offense rolling. Additionally, Marillia Matuz showcased her speed on the bases, stealing two in the game.

Despite the loss, the Conneaut Spartans showed resilience, with Drew leading the charge with three RBIs and Alyssa McFadden delivering a stellar 3-for-4 performance at the plate.

With this commanding win under their belts, the Falcons are primed and ready for their next challenge against Perry, as they aim to continue their winning streak. As for the Spartans, they will regroup and look to bounce back in their upcoming matchup against the Edgewood Warriors.

GRADISHAR FINDS PERFECTION AGAINST GARFIELD

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WARREN OH- Gabrielle Gradishar struck out 16 batters as the righty led Champion past Garfield 9-0 on Tuesday at Champion High School. Gradishar surrendered zero hits and zero runs over seven innings while walking none, finishing off a perfect game.

Champion won thanks in part to six runs in the fourth inning. Addison Warzala hit an inside the park home run, scoring two runs, Hailey Householder doubled, scoring two runs, Grace Hadley hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, and an error scored one run. The Flashes got on the board in the first inning after Gradishar hit a solo home run to right field. They then  added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Isabella Meyer doubled, and Householder grounded out, each scoring one run.

The Flashes accumulated 14 hits in the game. Householder provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led with three runs batted in. She went 1-for-4 on the day. Zoe Palette led with four hits in four at bats. Warzala, Sam Strock, and Meyer each collected multiple hits. The Flashes were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Warzala had the most chances in the field with 16.

BENSON’S RECORD SETTING BOMB DOES IT FOR LOUISVILLE

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- Matti Benson drove in four runs on two hits to lead Louisville past Ursuline 10-0 on Tuesday. Benson doubled in the fourth inning, scoring two runs, and hit a home run to center field in the fifth inning, scoring two. Her home run in the top of the 5th gave her the program record for career runs scored, and tied the career HR record at Louisville.  She already holds the program record for home runs in a season.

Louisville won thanks in part to six runs in the fourth inning. Bailee Griffith singled, scoring one run, Lilly Ditz induced Leah Claugus to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored, Brooke Haren singled, scoring one run, Kaitlin Twinem singled, scoring one run, and Benson doubled, scoring two runs.

Four more Leopards runs crossed the plate in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 10-0. Claugus singled, scoring one run, Haren singled, scoring one run, and Benson homered to center field, scoring two runs.

Taylor Schneider earned the win for Louisville. The starting pitcher gave up two hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out three and walking none. Ditz led things off in the circle for Ursuline Varsity Irish. The right-handed pitcher allowed 11 hits and six runs over three and one-third innings, striking out none and walking none.

Louisville piled up 15 hits in the game. Haren, the number nine hitter, led the team with three hits in three at-bats. Kenzi Denzer, Twinem, and Griffith each collected multiple hits. The Leopards  turned one double play in the game.

Brooke O’palick and Brooke Burton each collected one hit for the Irish. They also  turned one double play in the game.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/4-9-sb-louisville-ursuline/4-9-sb-louisville-ursuline/106EOS1D