CLIPPERS SPOIL WESTERN RESERVE'S VICTORY PLAN

BERLIN CENTER, OH- After a day of rain and spotty showers all afternoon the sun came out and the winds howled as Columbiana traveled to Berlin Center to take on the Blue Devils of Western Reserve. The Clippers would use an eight-run fifth inning to blow open a close game on their way to a 12-2 five-inning victory Friday afternoon. The win moves the Clippers record to 14-4 and drops the Blue Devils to 10-5 on the season.

Columbiana got on the board early scoring one run in the first and two in the second to build an early 3-0 lead. In the fourth, Columbiana tacked on another run but Western Reserve was able to answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame to close the score to 4-1 heading into the fifth. Timely hitting and good baserunning helped Columbiana blow open the close game in the fifth to an 11 run lead with eight runs in the top of the inning. Western Reserve would score one in the bottom of the fifth but that was all they could muster leaving the final score at 12-2.

Riley McElwain (5-1) got the win for Columbiana. McElwain pitched all five innings allowing two runs on three hits and striking out eight.

At the plate, Columbiana had a number of guys in the lineup contribute. Zach Pleska (2-3, triple, 4 RBI), Seth Spooner (2-4, triple, 2 runs), and Tyler Andersen (2-4, double, 2 runs) each had a multi hit game. McElwain helped himself out at the plate also as he drove in two runs on the day. Carson Dota walked twice and Eddie Clancy, Bayden Pipoly, and Trevor Dearing each singled.

Columbiana will be back in action on Monday as the Clippers travel to Salem for a rare night game. The Clippers and Quakers are scheduled to face off at 7 PM.

*Contributed by Ryan Wolf