HUBBARD FINDS A MOMENTUM BOOST BEFORE POSTSEASON

HUBBARD OH-  Hubbard came out swinging and never looked back in an 11-1 thumping of Columbiana on Friday at Bob Cene Park.

The Eagles wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard—Johnny Reyes got the party started in the first with a sac fly to bring in the game’s first run. But it was the third inning where the wheels really came off for the Clippers. Hubbard pushed five across, highlighted by Geno Leshnack’s RBI double and a two-run single off the bat of Zack Svensson. Even a double play plated a run—it was that kind of night for the blue and white.

The fifth inning was more of the same. The Eagles poured on another five runs behind a bases-loaded walk, a pair of productive outs, and a clutch double from Braydon Songer. Add in a Columbiana error, and the scoreboard told the story: 11-1, all Hubbard.

Matthew Bobovnik picked up the win, dealing four innings of one-hit ball with five punchouts and no walks. AJ Cheney came in to mop it up and tossed a scoreless frame in relief. Svensson led the offense with a pair of RBIs, and seven different Eagles chipped in hits—including Songer, Adamson, Leshnack, and Malutic.

Hubbard also showed off some discipline at the dish, drawing seven free passes. Reyes, Gabe Rusnak, and Brady Ifft all worked two walks apiece, while Songer swiped two bags for good measure.

Columbiana managed just one hit on the day, a single from Avery Young. The Clippers did turn a clean double play, but it wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding. Hubbard now turns its attention to the postseason, set to face Salem on Saturday as tournament play gets underway.