COLUMBIANA OH- The last time these two teams met, it went into extra innings.  This time, the exact same thing happened, but, who would be the one to come out on top at Firestone Park as the 16-7 Columbiana Clippers took on the 10-12 East Liverpool Potters.  

The first three innings of the game saw the fielding play the advantage with both teams not giving each other any inch.  However, the top of the fourth is when things changed.  The Potters got the first runs when Paxton Grimes singled on a ground ball to center field, having freshman Jake Smith head home.  They would get two more runs when Evan Tice and Grimes once again scored from a wild pitch and a grounder making it three to nothing.  

However, the Clippers didn’t go away.  They would get three unanswered runs from Cameron Sloan who went home off of a ground ball,  Seth Spooner who got home from a line drive off of Logan Hoschar.  The talented fielding on each end continued as once again these two would head to extra innings.  

The Potters got another run in the top of the eighth as Mason Ludwig had a pop up which sent Tice home once again.  The next run was then from Devin Toothman who scored from Trent Davis double to left field making it five to three.  

After a few outs, it was Columbianas turn in a do or die situation.  The inning would come into favor as junior Brady Krindler hit a ground ball which reached an error by the senior second baseman Derek Klein.  McElwain would score from that play cutting it now to only a one run game with the Clippers sending it into the ninth inning and going 2-0 in the series.  

However, this time extra innings did not go their way as Trevor Dearing popped a fly ball to left field which was caught by Anderson Fitch giving East Liverpool the big upset five to four and some momentum heading into their last game and the tournament.  

Jake Smith led the Potters to a victory allowing three hits and one run, striking out one and walking one. Derek Klein started the game and Paxton Grimes got some pitching time too.  

Logan Hoschar took the loss for the Clippers, surrendering two runs on one hit over an inning, striking out one and walking one.  Zach Pleska started the game on the mound, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out 13 and walking one. 

Up Next

East Liverpool (11-12) look to end their regular season at .500 as they face rival Beaver Local (10-10).  These two teams are tied in a series this season, as East Liverpool got a 12-1 victory but the Beavers won the first time around 7-5.  Tomorrow at one at East Liverpool, we see who wins the series.  Game is set for 1pm Saturday. 

Columbiana (16-8) will head to Salem on Monday the 17th to face the Quakers (21-3).  Game will be at 5pm.  

*Contributed by YSN’s Ian O’Brien*