WARRIORS COME OUT THE WEEKEND ON A POSITIVE NOTE

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CANFIELD OH- West Branch wrapped up their weekend at the JoAnne Kernan Classic with an impressive 10-0 victory over Erie McDowell.

The West Branch offense came out firing on all cylinders, led by Mikayln Woods and Addie Craven, who both went 3-for-4 at the plate. Woods contributed three RBIs and scored two runs, while Craven added two RBIs and scored twice herself. Sarah Schmidt went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and Matti Hawk scored two runs.

On the mound, Klary McKay delivered a dominant performance, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing only one hit, and striking out six batters.

With this win, West Branch finished the tournament with a 2-1 record, showcasing their potent offense and solid pitching.

URSULINE MAKES IT A TWO WIN WEEKEND

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CANFIELD OH- Ursuline wrapped up their successful run at the JoAnne Kernan Classic with another win, defeating Geneva 9-5 on Saturday.

The Ursuline offense came out strong, with multiple players making significant contributions. Arianna Schiavonne led the way, going 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs and a run scored. Gia Schiavonne also had a solid performance, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Katie Koulianos added two RBIs, while Erika Pert and Lilly Ditz each scored two runs.

On the mound, Bella Zamaria started for Ursuline, pitching 3.0 innings and striking out six batters while allowing three earned runs. Lilly Ditz came in relief and pitched the remaining 4 innings, allowing four hits and no earned runs.

With this win, Ursuline concluded the tournament with a perfect 2-0 record, showcasing their strong offense and solid pitching.

BOARDMAN SALVAGES THE WEEKEND

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CANFIELD OH- Boardman wrapped up their weekend at the JoAnne Kernan Classic with a victory, as they defeated Eastlake North 10-7 in their final game on Saturday.

The Boardman offense came out swinging, with multiple players contributing to the scoring. Tori Strines led the charge, going 2-for-2 at the plate, including a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Maddie Wymer and Kaitie Pellin each added two RBIs, while Leah Habeger chipped in with two RBIs and a run scored. Alex Ward also contributed with a hit, a walk, and two runs scored.

On the mound, Tori Strines delivered a solid performance, pitching all 7.0 innings for Boardman. She struck out nine batters and allowed only two earned runs, helping to secure the win for her team.

Boardman’s win in their final game of the tournament was a positive end to the weekend, showcasing their offensive firepower and strong pitching.

CARDINALS CAP OFF KERNAN CLASSIC IN STYLE

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CANFIELD OH- Canfield wrapped up their JoAnne Kernan Classic on a high note, delivering a dominant performance against Erie McDowell with a commanding 10-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.

The Canfield offense came alive with multiple players contributing to the scoring. Marina Koenig led the charge, going 3-for-4 at the plate, including a home run and two RBIs. Sydney Lutz went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Macey Kalina also had a big day, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Sofia Castranova and Faith Morell each contributed two hits, with Castranova adding an RBI and two runs scored.

On the mound, Malena Toth was nothing short of spectacular. The Canfield pitcher tossed a no-hitter over 6.0 innings, striking out an impressive 16 batters and issuing only one walk. The pitching performance stifled Erie McDowell’s offense, allowing Canfield to secure the shutout victory.

Canfield’s dominant win showcased their offensive firepower and pitching prowess, capping off the tournament with an impressive performance.

PLESKA BREAKS RBI RECORD AS CLIPPERS SWEEP THE DAY

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CANFIELD OH- Columbiana showed resilience and determination as they bounced back from a tough loss to sweep their doubleheader on Saturday, defeating Lakeview in a thrilling extra-innings game and then overpowering West Branch.

In the first game against Lakeview, Columbiana’s offense came alive with clutch hits and a walk-off victory. Caitlynn Pleska led the charge, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Mackenzi Gamble contributed with a 2-for-5 performance and two RBIs. Ella Dota played a crucial role, scoring the walk-off run on a fielder’s choice. On the mound, Gamble pitched 3.2 innings, striking out three batters, while Pleska pitched 5.1 innings, allowing no runs and no walks.

Lakeview put up a strong offensive effort, with Paige Schwartz leading the way with a 2-for-4 performance, including two RBIs and a run scored. Isabella Isenberg and Kalyssa Werner also had multiple hits for Lakeview.

In the second game against West Branch, Columbiana continued their offensive momentum. Ella Dota and Caitlynn Pleska both hit home runs to power the team to victory. Dota went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Pleska went 1-for-3 with a home run and a run scored. Cameron Perkins and Ava Davanza also contributed RBIs to secure the win.

On the mound, Gamble and Pleska combined for an impressive pitching performance. Gamble pitched 4.0 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six batters, while Pleska pitched 3.0 innings, allowing four hits and no runs.

Despite the loss, West Branch put up a fight, with Josie Miliken leading the offense with a 2-for-4 performance.

Columbiana’s doubleheader sweep showcased their offensive firepower and resilience, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the season.

VIKINGS SAY SO LONG TO SOLON

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HOWLAND OH- LaBrae had a strong showing at Howland’s Toni Ross Invitational on Saturday, splitting their day with a commanding 14-2 victory over Solon.

In the game against Solon, LaBrae’s offense came alive with powerful hitting performances. Mariah Jones led the charge, going 1-for-2 with a home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Vada Allen contributed to the offensive onslaught with a 1-for-2 performance, three RBIs, and one run scored. Morgan Thompson had a standout game, going 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, and one run scored, while Rylee McDonough went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, and three runs scored.

On the mound, Leah DeArmitt delivered a solid performance, pitching five innings, allowing just three hits, striking out four batters, and conceding only two earned runs.

The victory against Solon showcased LaBrae’s offensive firepower and solid pitching, setting a positive tone for the rest of the invitational.

TIGERS WIN THE DAY AT THE TONI ROSS

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HOWLAND OH- The Howland Tigers had a standout performance at the Toni Ross Invitational on Saturday, securing victories in both of their games with dominant displays on both offense and defense.

In their first game against Solon, the Tigers cruised to a 9-3 win, powered by a strong offensive showing. Brooke Tatar led the charge with a 1-for-3 performance that included a home run and three RBIs. Maya Kubanscek contributed an RBI as well, while Madison Schmitz had an impressive 3-for-4 outing with three runs scored. Alyssa Massucci added to the offensive onslaught with a 1-for-3 performance and two runs scored. Tatar also excelled on the mound, pitching five innings, allowing just one hit, and striking out eight batters to secure the win.

In their second game against LaBrae, Howland’s offense continued to shine as they ran past their opponents with an 11-1 victory. Tatar once again played a pivotal role, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Sydney VaNess and Marissa Ray each contributed two RBIs, while Calleigh Luman added another two RBIs to the scoreboard. Tatar also showcased her pitching prowess, throwing three innings, allowing only two hits, and striking out six batters while keeping LaBrae off the scoreboard.

Despite the loss, Mariah Jones provided a bright spot for LaBrae with a 2-for-2 performance, including a home run and an RBI.

With these two impressive wins, Howland demonstrated their strength both offensively and defensively, setting a high standard for the rest of the season.

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!