LAKERS BOUNCE BACK WITH WIN OVER FALCONS

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Jefferson, OH- Macie Payne delivered an outstanding performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 to propel the Pymatuning Valley Lakers to a 6-3 victory over the Jefferson Falcons on Saturday.

Payne’s contributions were pivotal throughout the game, with a double in the third inning, followed by key singles in both the fifth and seventh innings. Her offensive prowess helped ignite the Lakers’ scoring efforts and secure the win.

The Lakers wasted no time seizing the lead, striking in the top of the third inning when Payne’s double drove in two runs, followed by another run scored on a wild pitch.

On the mound, Saige Payne delivered a stellar performance for the Lakers, pitching a complete game and holding the Falcons to just five hits and three runs, all unearned. Saige tallied an impressive nine strikeouts while issuing five walks, showcasing her dominance on the mound.

Despite a solid effort from Jefferson’s starting pitcher, O Lewis, who pitched four innings and allowed three runs on four hits, the Falcons ultimately fell short. Lewis received the loss, striking out three batters and walking three.

Offensively, the Lakers amassed a total of 11 hits, with Kylie Luke, McKenna Jordan, and Mackenzie Kribbs each contributing multiple hits to the Lakers’ offensive barrage. Both Nataleigh Haines and Jordan showcased their speed on the bases, each stealing multiple bases to keep the pressure on the Falcons. In total, the Lakers swiped four bases during the game.

For the Falcons, M Matuz stood out with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, driving in one run to lead the team’s offensive efforts. R DeMattia drew two walks for Jefferson, while the team displayed discipline at the plate, collecting a total of five walks during the game.

Despite Jefferson’s efforts, the Lakers’ strong defensive performance, coupled with their relentless offense, proved too much to overcome. The Lakers displayed sure-handedness in the field, committing no errors throughout the game, with K Rogers leading the team with eight defensive chances.

With this victory secured, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers look ahead to their next challenge as they prepare to face Grand Valley on Monday, aiming to carry their winning momentum forward.

DREW BLASTS WALK-OFF HOMER TO LIFT SPARTANS PAST HERALDS

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Conneaut, OH- On the final play of the game, the Conneaut Spartans clinched a hard-fought 9-7 victory against the St. John Heralds on Saturday. With the score tied at seven in the bottom of the seventh inning, Maddy Drew sealed the win with a clutch homer to right field, bringing in two runs.

Despite St. John Heralds out-hitting Conneaut by eight to seven, they couldn’t secure the win. Isabelle Holler, Alyssa Cevera, and Rylee Frasure each contributed two hits for the Heralds.

Conneaut got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning courtesy of Drew’s single and subsequent plays, resulting in a run. Frasure’s double in the top of the third helped the Heralds tie the game at two.

However, Conneaut surged ahead in the bottom of the third, with Fix, Drew, and Brown driving in runs to establish a 5-2 lead. Undeterred, the Heralds mounted a comeback in the top of the fourth, scoring five runs, highlighted by Holler’s three-run homer to center field.

Conneaut answered back in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game with a double by Boroski and an error.

Holler took the loss for the Heralds, pitching three and one-third innings and allowing four runs (three earned). Cevera started the game for the Heralds, giving up five runs (two earned) over three innings.

Holler led the Heralds with three RBIs, going 2-for-4 at the plate. Isabelle Stern contributed with two stolen bases, and the Heralds managed to steal a total of six bases. Drew led Conneaut’s offense with four RBIs, going 2-for-4, while Boroski, and Fix each collected two hits.

Conneaut turned one double play during the game.

The St. John Heralds will face the Windham Bombers in their next game on Sunday. The Conneaut Spartans will play on the road for their next game against the Madison Blue Streaks.

WARRIORS WIN A FIGHT TO THE FINISH

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By Ty Bartell

CANFIELD OH- In the 17th annual JoAnne Kernan Strikeout Cancer Memorial, plenty of great softball
teams from all around northeast Ohio came to McCune Park in Canfield to play for a bigger cause. Two of those teams that did battle Friday night were The West Branch Warriors and The Archbishop Hoban Knights softball teams!

Although a gritty battle through and through with plenty of offense throughout the ball game, it was The Warriors who secured the victory by tallying some late runs to seal the contest on The Knights 8-6.

Klary McKay started in the circle for West Branch and Gracelyn Schultz stood opposite of her as the pitcher for The Knights. The Warriors grabbed an early lead in the top of the first when Sara Schmidt would belt an RBI single up the middle, giving The Warriors a 1-0 lead, before being thrown out going for second base.

West Branch would strike for three more runs in the top half of the third, highlighted by a Sara Schmidt RBI Sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Addi Craven. Adding an additional run in the top of the fourth, The Warriors saw themselves with a commanding 5-0 advantage.

However, Hoban would finally strike on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, courtesy of a two-run blast by Savannah Regan, her second of the season, trimming the West Branch lead to three at 5-2. Adeline Herstitch would come through for The Knights the following inning when she brought in a run with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.
Leading 5-3, The Warriors would use three doubles in the top of the seventh by Matti Hawk, Sara Schmidt, and Klary McKay to get three runs back and own a 8-3 lead heading to the bottom of the seventh! The Knights would respond, with RBI hits by both Taylor Gerring and Gracelyn Schultz to bring the deficit to two runs with Hoban having the tying run on base!

However, Klary McKay and The Warriors got the job done, stranding the tying run in scoring position to give West Branch their ninth win of the season with an 8-6 victory over Hoban.

The battery combination of McKay and Sara Schmidt won Players of the Game nods as McCray held her own against a potent Knight lineup, while also delivering an RBI double in the second. While Schmidt had a day at the ballpark, going 2-for-2 with a single and a double, walking once, getting a sacrifice fly and ending the day with 4 RBI! Interviews with both can be found below.

West Branch (9-2) will be right back in-action on Saturday, April 20th with two games at McCune against both Erie McDowell (5-3) and Columbiana (10-3). Meanwhile, Hoban (7-6) will play again on Monday, April 22nd when they travel to Massillon to battle The Jackson Polar Bears (7-6).
Stay updated with both West Branch and Hoban softball all season long with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

CRESTVIEW WALKS OFF INTO A VICTORY

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COLUMBIANA OH- In a thrilling matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Crestview secured a dramatic walk-off victory over Campbell with an 8-7 win in extra innings on Friday night.

Crestview’s offense came through in the clutch, delivering key hits when it mattered most to secure the win. Sadie Halloran was the hero of the night, going 2-for-5 at the plate with two crucial RBIs, including the walk-off double that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Eme Cook had a standout performance, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and crossing the plate three times herself. Emma Snyder contributed to the offensive effort with a 3-for-4 performance, driving in one run and scoring another, while Kerrigan Miller added a 2-for-3 effort with an RBI and a run scored.

Despite falling short, Campbell’s offense put up a fight, with Angelis Espada leading the charge by going 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Savannah Cleland and Abby Broz each contributed an RBI for Campbell, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

The game remained tight throughout, with both teams trading blows and neither able to pull away. In the end, it was Crestview who emerged victorious, thrilling their home crowd with the walk-off win in extra innings.

With this hard-fought victory, Crestview showcased their resilience and determination, proving that they have what it takes to come out on top in close games.

TAYLOR SHINES IN HUBBARD’S SPLIT

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ONTARIO OH- Hubbard Softball embarked on a thrilling doubleheader journey in Ontario on Friday, showcasing both their resilience and offensive prowess as they split the games, falling to Steele 8-7 but bouncing back with a resounding 12-4 victory against Ashland.

In the first game against Steele, Hubbard’s offense came out swinging, led by standout performances from Haleigh Taylor, Kaylee Schultz, Lauren Komorek, and Jillian Palumbo. Taylor set the tone with a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, driving in a run and scoring twice. Schultz and Komorek provided the power, each launching a home run while contributing multiple RBIs and runs scored. Palumbo chipped in with a hit and a run scored to bolster the offensive effort, but despite their strong performance, Hubbard narrowly fell short in a hard-fought battle.

Determined to bounce back, Hubbard’s offense erupted in the second game against Ashland. Taylor continued her stellar day, delivering another impressive performance at the plate while also dominating in the circle. With a 2-for-3 outing that included a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored, Taylor led the charge both offensively and defensively. Phoebe Rusnak and Schultz provided additional run support with timely hits and RBIs, while Palumbo and Alyssa Gregory showcased their patience at the plate, drawing walks and scoring multiple runs.

In the circle, Taylor was virtually untouchable, striking out 11 batters and issuing no walks while surrendering four runs on nine hits. Her dominant pitching performance solidified Hubbard’s victory in the second game, highlighting her all-around impact on the team’s success.

Despite the narrow loss in the first game, Hubbard’s resilient performance in the doubleheader exemplified their determination and ability to bounce back in the face of adversity. With a strong offensive display and stellar pitching, Hubbard showcased their potential and resilience, setting the stage for future success as they continue their softball journey.

MINERAL RIDGE RAMPS THINGS UP

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SALINEVILLE OH- In a display of offensive firepower, Mineral Ridge Softball unleashed a relentless barrage of hits to secure a commanding 15-5 victory over Southern on Friday.

Mineral Ridge’s lineup came out swinging, led by standout performances from Aaliyah Wall, Savannah Turek, Lily Merolillo, Maggie Collins, and Megan Haynie. Wall and Turek showcased their power at the plate, each launching a home run while driving in crucial runs. Merolillo proved to be a force, tallying three hits and contributing two RBIs and two runs scored. Collins delivered clutch hits, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Haynie reached base multiple times, scoring two runs.

On the mound, Merolillo demonstrated her pitching prowess, going the distance with a solid seven-inning performance. Despite giving up five runs on five hits, Merolillo showcased her resilience, striking out four batters to keep Southern’s offense in check.

Southern put up a valiant effort, with Cheyenne Buzzard leading the charge with three RBIs, and Gianna Pecorelli contributing with a multi-hit game and an RBI.

Ultimately, Mineral Ridge’s relentless offensive onslaught proved too much for Southern to handle, as they secured a dominant 15-5 victory. This impressive win serves as a testament to Mineral Ridge’s offensive prowess and determination as they continue to make their mark on the softball diamond.

EAGLES HAVE AN EYE FOR WINNING

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HANOVERTON OH- In a dominant display on Friday night, United Softball powered their way to a commanding 11-0 victory over East Liverpool.

The United team showcased their offensive prowess with standout performances from several key players. Joshlynn Irey led the charge, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, driving in a run and crossing the plate herself. Chloe Angelo and Mati Zines were also instrumental in United’s offensive onslaught, each going 2-for-2 with clutch hits and multiple runs scored. Maddie Lucas delivered when it mattered most, tallying 2 RBIs and scoring 2 runs on a 2-for-2 performance at the plate.

On the defensive side, Zines and Grace Coffee combined to shut down East Liverpool’s offense. Zines was nearly untouchable on the mound, pitching 3 innings, allowing just 1 hit, and striking out an impressive 6 batters. Coffee continued the dominance, pitching the final 2 innings without surrendering a hit and striking out 3 batters.

United’s well-rounded performance, both offensively and defensively, proved too much for East Liverpool to handle. With this resounding victory, United reaffirmed their status as a force to be reckoned with in the softball circuit and set the tone for future matchups with confidence.

IRISH STRIKE GOLD

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CANFIELD OH- In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, Ursuline emerged victorious in a high-scoring battle against Columbiana, edging past them with an 8-7 win.

Ursuline’s lineup came out swinging, with standout performances from several players. Brooke O’Pallick led the charge, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Gia Shiavonne and Savannah Patrone also contributed to the offensive onslaught, each going 2-for-3 with key RBIs. Brooke Burton chipped in with a timely hit, driving in 2 runs despite going 1-for-4 on the day.

On the other side, Columbiana put up a strong fight, with several players delivering standout performances of their own. Caitlynn Pleska led the charge with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate, tallying 2 RBIs and scoring a run. Cameron Perkins and Ava Davanzo each contributed with 2 hits and an RBI, while Maryn Hepler crossed the plate twice for the team.

In a game filled with offensive fireworks, both teams showcased their resilience and determination until the very end. However, it was Ursuline who ultimately stole the spotlight with their clutch hitting and solid defense, securing a hard-fought victory. As they celebrate this win, Ursuline looks ahead to future matchups with confidence, knowing they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.

BENSON SITS ATOP LOUISVILLE HOME RUN LIST

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LOUISVILLE OH- Louisville wasted no time bouncing back from their previous game with an impressive 7-4 victory over Glen Oak on Friday. It was a night to remember for the Leopards, especially for senior Matti Benson, who made history by hitting her 32nd career home run, breaking the program record.

Benson’s milestone homer wasn’t the only highlight of the game, as she also contributed 2 RBIs, going 1-for-3 at the plate. Bailee Griffith added to the offensive firepower, going 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs, while Anna Sirohman went 2-for-4 with 1 RBI. Kaitlin Twinmen and Katelyn Miller also made their presence felt with multiple hits for Louisville.

On the mound, Taylor Schneider put on a solid performance, pitching 4.2 innings to secure the win. She tallied 3 strikeouts while giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits.

With this impressive win, Louisville continues to showcase their resilience and determination, proving that they’re a force to be reckoned with on the softball diamond. As they look ahead to future games, they’ll undoubtedly carry the momentum from this victory into their upcoming matchups.

CANFIELD DOMINATES IN PINK

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CANFIELD OH- It was a night of dominance for Canfield as they showcased their abilities both at the plate and on the mound, cruising past Lakeview with a commanding 9-0 victory in the first night of the JoAnne Kernan Classic.

Leading the charge for Canfield was Leah Figueroa, whose power at the plate was evident as she launched a 2-run home run, going 1-for-3 on the night and also drawing a walk. Caylee Ortiz also contributed to the offensive onslaught, going 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs, while Sydney Lutz and Alexis Johnson chipped in with RBIs of their own.

But it was the stellar pitching performance of Malena Toth that truly stole the show. Toth was nearly flawless on the mound, giving up just 2 hits while striking out an impressive 17 batters in the shutout victory. What’s more, she managed to avoid issuing any walks, showcasing her control and command throughout the game.

Despite Toth’s dominance, Mack Stowe of Lakeview managed to find some success against her, going 2-for-3 with a double.

With the win, Canfield sets the stage for an exciting second day of the JoAnne Kernan Classic. Both Canfield and Lakeview will return to McCune Park on Saturday for more action-packed softball. Lakeview is set to face off against Columbiana at 11:00, followed by a matchup against Eastlake North at 1:00. Meanwhile, Canfield will take on McDowell at 1:00, looking to carry their momentum into another strong performance on the diamond.