LISBON ESCAPES COLUMBIANA WITH A VICTORY
COLUMBIANA, OH- In a game that matched two of the area’s premier pitchers, Columbiana’s Chase Franken and Lisbon’s Logan Bell, it was Bell and the Blue Devils outlasting the Clippers. An ugly start plagued Columbiana as they committed three first-inning errors to give Lisbon a 2-0 lead that they would not relinquish, holding on for a 4-2 victory Monday at Firestone Park.
Shaky defense continued to hurt the Clippers through the third inning allowing the Blue Devils to open up a 4-0 lead. The big blow in the third was a double by Justin Sweeney who had two hits on the day. Lisbon played solidly and went to the seventh with a 4-0 lead before the Clippers finally broke through against Bell.
After scoring two runs and loading the bases with none out fueled by base hits from Evan Kenneally and Matt Mazei, the Clippers faced Sweeney in relief. The rally abruptly ended with a double play ball back to the pitcher and strikeout.
Franken went five innings, allowing one earned run and just two hits while striking out seven and walking one. Bell went six innings plus, allowing two runs and 4 hits while striking out six and walking four.
The teams face each other in Lisbon on Tuesday at 5:00.
**Written by YSN’s Voice of the Clippers, Mark Franken**
