FITCH TRAVELS TO HOWLAND FOR A SWEEP

HOWLAND OH-  Howland out-hit Fitch on Wednesday, but the Tigers couldn’t cash in when it counted, falling 7-4 in a game that slipped away late.

Howland banged out eight hits to Fitch’s six and grabbed the lead early. After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, the Tigers answered back with a sac fly and a sharp single down the line to go up 2-1. They grabbed the lead again in the third with a double that made it 4-3—but that was the last time they’d be on top.

Fitch stayed patient at the plate and worked their way back in. They tied things up in the fourth, then broke it open in the sixth with a triple and a single to plate a pair and pull ahead for good.

Howland’s pitching staff combined for six strikeouts, but walks came back to haunt them—eight free passes kept the Falcons in business all night. Meanwhile, Howland worked the count too, drawing five walks of their own, but couldn’t string together the big inning they needed.

Tabitha Schlatt was a bright spot at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Brianna Deeter also picked up a couple hits, and the Tigers made solid contact throughout the lineup.

Fitch got key production from the middle of the order and stayed clean in the field, even turning a double play to halt one of Howland’s rallies.

Next up, Howland looks to bounce back Saturday playing Berkshire & Geneva, while Fitch gets a break before hosting Riverside next Wednesday.