HEARTLAND GETS ONE OVER ON CROSS TOWN RIVALS
By Joe Eusebio
COLUMBIANA OH- Columbiana took at 9-3 lead into the 6th inning against Heartland Christian on Friday and were looking forward to celebrating Senior Day with a big win in Franken Bowl 5. But the Lions had plans of their own and a series of Clipper walks and errors combined with singles from Jake Walker and Seth Walker, lead to an eight-run eruption. By the time the inning was over, it was Heartland in the lead 11-9 and that’s how this non-conferencegame ended at Legion Field in Columbiana.
It was the fifth time in two years that Head Coaches Bryce Franken of the Clippers and Mark Franken of the Lions have met. After this one, the son, Bryce, still has the advantage over his father Mark, three wins to two.
Heartland jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Tyler Rarick singled in Drew Gault. Columbiana answered with two runs, Ian Less tripled and scored on an RBI single from Alex Eusebio then Anthony Hall hit a Sacrifice Fly that plated Devin Daugherty. Heartland responded with two runs in the top of the second when Jake Walker singled, Seth Walker reached on an error that scored both Brett Walker and Jake Walker. That made the score 3-2 entering the bottom of the second when the Clips tied it up on a walk to Dylan Hogan, a Hogan steal of second and an error on a Hunter Davanzo grounder that allowed Hogan to score the tying run.
Columbiana was up 4-3 in the fifth when they broke through with five runs on a Colin Keleman Sac Fly that scored Ian Lessafter he led off with a triple. Alex Eusebio and Anthony Hall singled, Avery Young walked to load the bases. Eusebio scored on an error, then Cameron Clancy stroked a bases loaded single to left that scored Hall, Young and Hogan to give Columbiana a seemingly insurmountable 9-3 lead. But then the top of the sixth happened (see above) and Heartland scored those eight runs and that is how it ended up.
For Heartland Christian, Jake Walker, Tyler Rarick and Seth Walker each had two hits with two RBIs apiece for the Walkers and one for Rarick. Christian Hamilton gets the win, pitching 4 2/3 innings giving up six hits, three walks and striking out one in relief of starter Seth Walker who went the first two innings. Will Morgan closed it out for the Lions getting the final out of the game.
Columbiana was led by Anthony Hall, Alex Eusebio and Ian Less who each had two hits. Hall with two RBIs and Eusebio had one. Cameron Clancy had three RBIs on one hit, Colin Keleman added a hit and a RBI. Hall started the game on the mound, pitching five innings and striking out five, Sam Inboden went 2/3 of an inning and took the loss while Keleman pitched the final 1 1/3 innings and striking out two.
Heartland Christian (9-10) plays Warren JFK on Saturday while Columbiana (14-9, 10-0 EOAC) heads to Howland to play the Tigers.
