Tag Archive for: Badgers

LADY WARRIORS OUTLAST BADGERS IN LATE GAME THRILLER

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Story by: Larry Jennings

East Ashtabula, OH – In a heated Monday night matchup during the holiday break, the Edgewood Lady Warriors extended their winning streak to seven games, narrowly defeating the Berkshire Badgers 49-46 in front of an excited home crowd. Both teams entered the contest riding impressive win streaks, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.

The Warriors wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Faith Vencill’s tip from the opening jump found Annie Johnston, who dished the ball to Avery Vencill for a corner three-pointer just six seconds into the game. Edgewood kept up a relentless pace through the first half of the opening quarter, surging to a commanding 12-0 lead before Berkshire finally broke through with under three minutes remaining.

Berkshire closed the gap as the first quarter wound down, with Jenna Hornak draining a buzzer-beating three-pointer to narrow the Warriors’ lead to 17-11. The Badgers’ aggressive defense took center stage in the second and third quarters, forcing turnovers that allowed them to chip away at the deficit. With 4:28 left in the third quarter, Stella Bateman’s layup gave Berkshire their first lead of the game.

The Badgers extended their advantage to 40-35 by the end of the third quarter, once again capping the period with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, this time courtesy of Julia Young. Trailing by as many as nine points with under five minutes remaining, the Warriors dug deep and mounted a comeback. Clutch baskets by Edgewood brought them back into the lead with just 1:47 left to play.

A pair of crucial free throws from Avery Vencill in the final minutes sealed the victory for the Warriors, as the teams exchanged possessions in a tense conclusion. The final score stood at 49-46, keeping Edgewood’s win streak alive.

Carly Kray led the Warriors’ scoring with 15 points, while Annie Johnston and Avery Vencill contributed nine points each. Faith Vencill and Leigha Guyton chipped in with eight points apiece. Berkshire was led by Stella Bateman with 12 points, followed by Jenna Hornak and Meredith Bors, who each scored eight.
When asked about the fast start and the big comeback, Coach Randy Vencill said, “Thankfully, we started well, we had talked about starting games better, and we did, but it was tough to keep up that momentum, but we also finished strong, so we’ll take that.”

The Warriors (7-2) will look to keep their momentum going in a conference matchup at home against Geneva on Friday, January 3. Meanwhile, Berkshire (7-4) will take to the road on January 8 to face the Cardinal Huskies.

BADGERS WRANGLE THE MUSTANGS

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Photo Credit: Jocyln Nicholas

Burton, OH- In a tough outing for the Grand Valley Varsity Mustangs, the Berkshire Varsity Badgers dominated the diamond, securing a convincing 10-0 victory on Monday.

From the onset, the Badgers wasted no time in asserting their dominance, capitalizing on an error in the first inning to snatch an early lead, scoring two runs. Their offensive prowess continued to shine in the bottom of the third inning, with key contributions from Ethan Martin and Lou Filby, who combined to extend Berkshire’s lead with a combination of smart plays and power hitting.

Martin’s stellar performance wasn’t limited to the plate, as he also showcased his prowess on the mound, stifling the Mustangs’ offense with just one hit allowed over five innings, while striking out an impressive nine batters.

On the other side, Eric Ellsworth endured a challenging outing for the Mustangs, surrendering six runs (two earned) over two and one-third innings, despite his efforts to keep the Badgers at bay.

Offensively, the Mustangs struggled to find their rhythm, with Justin Hagan being the lone standout, going 1-for-2 at the plate.

Meanwhile, the Badgers’ offense fired on all cylinders, amassing 10 hits throughout the game. Filby emerged as a key contributor, notching three runs batted in, while leadoff hitter Sam Barcikoski set the tone with an impressive three hits in four at-bats. Patrick Brancel and Martin also made significant offensive contributions, each collecting multiple hits, while Paul Brent showcased his speed on the basepaths with two stolen bases.

As the Mustangs look to bounce back, they’ll hit the road for their next matchup against Berkshire, aiming to turn the tables in their favo

DRAGONS LEAVE THE HOME COURT ON A HIGH NOTE

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Photo Credit: CM Photography

Ashatbula, OH- In Lakeside’s final home game of the year, the Dragons emerged triumphant with a final score of 66-57 over the Berkshire Badgers. Led by standout performances from Aiden Hathy and Alex DiSalvatore, the Dragons showcased their offensive prowess and honored junior guard Dyln Newsome for his record-breaking achievements.

QUARTER SCORES
Lakeside Dragons: 12 | 10 | 25 | 19 = 66
Berkshire Badgers: 12 | 19 | 16 | 10 = 57

Lakeside Dragons Total Points:

  • Aiden Hathy: 23
  • Alex DiSalvatore: 20
  • Dyln Newsome: 14
  • Connor Mead: 7
  • Chase Newsome: 2

Berkshire Badgers Total Points:

  • Jack Hastings: 13
  • Gavin Hipp: 13
  • Mason Mendolera: 11
  • Cameron Beam: 7
  • Miles Miller: 6
  • Jake Patterson: 2
  • Chase Wardle: 2
  • Alex Bowman: 2
  • Luke Stute: 1

Amidst the intense competition, the Dragons took a moment during a timeout in the first quarter to recognize and honor junior guard Dyln Newsome, who had broken two Lakeside basketball records earlier in the season. Newsome now holds the impressive title of all-time leader in 3-pointers made in a season, with 54, and most 3-pointers made in one game, with 13 against the Conneaut Spartans.

Senior big man Aiden Hathy delivered a stellar performance for the Dragons, electrifying the crowd with multiple dunks and impactful blocked shots on his way to scoring 23 points in the game. Meanwhile, Alex DiSalvatore added 20 points to the scoreboard, while Dyln Newsome contributed 14 points to bolster the Dragons’ offensive attack.

Despite a resilient effort from the Badgers, led by Jack Hastings and Gavin Hipp with 13 points each, they were unable to contain the Dragons’ relentless offense.

With this victory, the Lakeside Dragons conclude their regular season with a record of 6-14 and now prepare for their upcoming matchup against the John Marshall Lawyers in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs. As they carry their momentum forward, the Dragons will look to build upon their success and make a statement in the postseason.

As for the Berkshire Badgers, they move forward to face the Valley Christian Eagles in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs, determined to showcase their competitive spirit and resilience on the court.

The Dragons’ victory over the Badgers not only highlights their talent and determination but also serves as a testament to the record-breaking achievements of Dyln Newsome, setting the stage for an exciting postseason journey

BADGERS CLAW PAST MUSTANGS

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Burton, OH- In a closely contested battle, the Grand Valley Mustangs faced off against the Berkshire Badgers, resulting in a heart-wrenching 41-38 loss for the Mustangs. The game, played on 12/20/23, kept fans entertained as both teams fought tooth and nail for the victory.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

The game began with Berkshire taking an early lead in the first quarter, outscoring the Mustangs 13-8. Grand Valley responded in the second quarter, narrowing the gap to 20-15. The third quarter saw both teams putting up a strong fight, with Berkshire maintaining a slight advantage at 30-25. In a tense final quarter, both teams traded blows, but the Badgers managed to secure the win with a final score of 41-38.

Player Point Totals

Berkshire Badgers

  • Jake Patterson: 4 points
  • Miles Miller: 5 points
  • Jack Hastings: 13 points
  • Gavin Hipp: 7 points
  • Cameron Beam: 4 points
  • M. Mendolera: 8 points

Grand Valley Mustangs

  • Bobby Rogers: 8 points
  • Jerry Schultz: 20 points
  • Braden Hart: 10 points

Turnovers Take a Toll

Despite the valiant efforts of the Grand Valley Mustangs, turnovers proved to be a significant challenge throughout the game. The team will undoubtedly focus on tightening up their ball control and minimizing mistakes in future matchups.

Looking Ahead

With a current record of 1-4, the Grand Valley Mustangs are gearing up for a road game against the Windham Bombers on December 23, 2023. The Bombers, currently standing at 3-2, are coming off a tough 70-49 loss to the Southeast Pirates. The Mustangs will aim to bounce back and secure a crucial victory on the road.

Meanwhile, the Berkshire Badgers, now holding a 1-2 record, are set to face the Utica Redskins (0-4) on the same date. Both teams will be eager to build on their performances and secure a win as they head into the holiday break.

BADGERS TAKE DOWN MUSTANGS

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Story by Tyler Hartz:

Burton, OH- The Berkshire Badgers wasted no time getting on the board, scoring at the 7-minute mark when Quarterback Miles Miller (#8) found the back of the endzone on a designed quarterback keeper. Just three minutes later Miller (#8) delivered a strike to wide receiver Mason Mendolera (#24) for a 7-yard touchdown. Two minutes later, on the first play of the Badgers third drive, Miller (#8) found wide receiver Jack Hastings (#5) open in the endzone on a hookup of 39 yards for the Badgers third score of the quarter putting them up 21-0 in 10 minutes of play. The Mustangs had little to no answer for the Badgers the entire game.
To start the second quarter Mustangs quarterback Sammy Goforth (#7) threw an interception and it was picked off by Paul Brent (#84) to give the Badgers the ball back to start the second quarter. The following drive, the Badgers found paydirt again as Miller (#8) found Jack Hastings again for a 12-yard touchdown, the PAT was no good and the Badgers led 27-0 with 10:25 remaining in the second quarter. Later in the quarter, Miller (#8) wasted no time finding the endzone again for his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run, the PAT was no good. Going into halftime the Badgers led 33-0.
Things for the Mustangs got worse in the second half, Berkshire running back Justin Phillips (#4) scored on an 8-yard run to put the Badgers up 40-0.
For the remainder of the game, both teams traded blows, but the game stayed 40-0 in favor of the Badgers of Berkshire.
Next week Grand Valley will be playing back at home week 10 against the Crestwood Red Devils, and the Berkshire Badgers will be traveling to Jack Britt Memorial stadium to take on the Harvey Red Raiders.

FLASHES PUSH THEIR WAY TO DISTRICTS

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CHAMPION, OH – Slippery when wet! The Champion Golden Flashes beat the Berkshire Badgers 5-1 in Wednesday nights contest which included a steady stream if water all evening.

 

Champion got it going early after filling the bases, they were able to plate two runs and take a 2-0 lead in the first.

Berkshire was able to get one back on the third inning.

The Badgers filled up the bases and had their run scored after the Champion pitcher walked a batter with the bases loaded. They were unable to add to the score past that run so it went to 2-1 in favor of the home squad.

There was no scoring in the third or fourth innings but the rain did prove to be a challenge for the young pitchers for both teams. No pitcher who went to the mound was ever able to get a good grip on the ball and this ended up playing a role in the fifth inning.

Berkshire allows the lead off runner to get aboard to start the bottom half of the fifth. The following batter comes up and hits a double to score in the lead off man and give Champion a 3-1 lead.

With runners at second and third the Berkshire pitcher, Max Janssen, will lose his grip on the ball for a wild pitch that would allow the runner on third to score and make the lead 4-1.

With one away Champion hits a sac-fly to left field to allow the runner at third to score and round off scoring for the inning.

After facing the adversity of the rain and a rowdy Berkshire dugout, Champion was able to come away with the win with a final score of 5-1. Winning Pitcher was Hunter Haines and the losing pitcher was Max Janssen.

Champion advances to the district semifinals where they’ll meet South Range on Monday in Niles. First pitch from Waddell Park is 5:00.

*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Maher.

GARFIELD FOCUSED ON REPEATING AS DISTRICT CHAMPS

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CORTLAND OH- Garfield walked away as district champions last season with their win over Champion. It earned them a trip to Cuyahoga Falls for the regionals. However, a taste of regionals makes you hungry for more. Now, Garfield finds themselves one win away from another championship. They beat Berkshire in the district semifinals Wednesday 59-33.

It was a pretty competitive first frame with Garfield leading 16-13 after 1. However, over the next two quarters the G-Men outscored Berkshire 29-14 to pull away.

Jenna Smith was unstoppable. She finished with 28 points, which helped her eclipse 1600 career points. Smith completed a double double as well with 14 rebounds. Sarah Seaman broke her own three point in a season record with perimeter shot number 62. She finished with 18 points.

Garfield advances to the district championship on Saturday where they’ll meet a familiar foe in Champion. Not only have these two teams already met twice this season, but this will be the third year in a row they meet in the final. That game is scheduled to tip at 7:00 on Saturday at Lakeview.

MOONEY DROPS HEARTBREAKER IN DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

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STRUTHERS, Ohio –

Jim Campbell struck out eight over six innings of work in the Cardinal Mooney Cardinal’s district final matchup against the Berkshire Badgers.Despite his stellar performance, Campbell and the Cardinals came up short, as his opponents across the diamond also put-up supreme efforts on the mound.

Berkshire’s Max Jansen got the start for the Badgers, going 5 strong innings of shutout baseball while allowing just 3 hits and whiffing 3 batters before Jacob Brown would slam the door shut on the Cardinals, earning the save with his 2 inning no hit performance.

Although a boring box score, this game was full of edge of the seat clenching drama, starting in the top of the third. After a hit by pitch would put a runner on for the Badgers with one away, Jack Jacobs would make his way over to third where he was eventually stranded.

Mooney, just squeaking out of the top half without allowing a run, would promptly hit a first pitch single to right before a bunt single saw two on with none away. The Cardinals then popped out and struck out before a diving catch by the Berkshire right fielder would end the inning.

Just a few minutes removed from his diving grab, Evan McDermott would watch four balls go by for a free pass to first. McDermott would then reach 2nd on a wild pitch before Chris Groudle would hit a chopper to the third baseman. The Mooney third baseman had to move to his left to field the ball then threw it across the diamond for the outbefore McDermott would try to advance over to third on the throw. Seeing McDermott on the move, the Mooney first baseman would try to deliver one back across the diamond for a double play, however, the throw would get away from shortstop trying to range over to the bag, allowing McDermott to advance home and slide in safely to plate the first run of the game.

Looking to respond in the bottom half of the inning, a walk and a single saw the Cardinals with two men in scoring position with two away. With the count at 1-1, Mooney would try and have senior Ian Francis steal home where he was eventually cut down to end the inning. Neither team would threaten to score for the rest of the evening, proving Berkshire’s single run 4th inning to be enough to give them the victory, 1-0.

TOP PERFORMERS:

BERKSHIRE

Max Jansen – W, 5 innings pitched, 3 hits, 3 Ks, 0 runs allowed

Jacob Brown – SV, 2 innings pitched, 0 hits, 3 Ks, 0 runs allowed

MOONEY

Jim Campbell – L, 6 innings pitched, 4 hits, 8 Ks, 0 earned runs

WHAT’S NEXT:

BERKSHIRE – Securing their first district title since 2016, the Badgers will advance to the regional semi-final to take on the defending region champion Canton Central Catholic Crusaders.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

NO HITTER BY HOLLAND LEADS IRISH TO ROLL

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YOUNGSTOWN OH-

Emily Holland was brilliant in the pitcher’s circle on Tuesday, as Holland threw a no-hitter to lead Ursuline past Berkshire 10-0.

Ursuline secured the victory thanks to six runs in the second inning. The big inning was driven by singles by Paige Ogden , Alyssa Sheely, Julia Nutter, and Liza Barbato, a triple by Maris Barbato, and a sac fly by Mia Opalick.

The Irish opened up scoring in the first inning. Ogden doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

Ursuline notched six runs in the second inning. Barbato, Ogden , Sheely, Nutter, Opalick, and Barbato all moved runners across the plate with RBIs.

Holland led the Irish to victory on the rubber. The bulldog went six innings, allowing zero runs on zero hits, striking out 14 and walking one.

Ursuline socked one home run on the day. Holland put one out in the sixth inning.

The Irish racked up 15 hits in the game. Barbato, Sheely, Holland, Nutter, Barbato, and Ogden each managed multiple hits. Ogden, Nutter, Holland, Sheely, and both Barbatos each collected two hits to lead.

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URSULINE CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

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BERKSHIRE OH-

Mia Opalick threw a shutout to lead Ursuline past Berkshire 18-0 on Saturday.

Alyssa Sheely collected four hits in five at bats to help lead the Irish. Sheely doubled in the first, singled in the third, singled in the fourth, and homered in the fifth.

Ursuline opened up scoring in the first inning. Sheely doubled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run.

The Irish scored eight runs in the third inning. Their big bats were led by Opalick, Layni Bednar, Maris Barbato, Paige Ogden , Julia Nutter, and Emily Holland, all knocking in runs in the inning.

Opalick took the win for Ursuline. The fireballer allowed three hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out eight.

Ursuline launched one home run on the day. Sheely had a four bagger in the fifth inning.

The Irish scattered 20 hits in the game. Sheely, Ogden , Barbato, Bednar, Holland, and Nutter all managed multiple hits. Sheely led with four hits in five at bats.

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