Tag Archive for: Blue Jays

HERALDS TOP BLUE JAYS TO WIN DISTRICT SEMI FINAL

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North Jackson, OH — Powered by a big night at the plate from Nadia Lagoa, the Saint John Heralds punched their ticket to the OHSAA District finals with a 10-5 victory over the Jackson-Milton Blue Jays in Monday’s district semi final.

Lagoa delivered in the clutch for the Heralds, finishing 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Her biggest swing came in the fifth inning when she roped a bases-clearing double to ignite a six-run rally. She added an RBI single in the sixth to cap off a dominant offensive performance.

Saint John wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, plating two runs in the first inning. Maddie Holler drove a double to center to score the game’s first run, and Mary West followed with an RBI groundout to give the Heralds an early 2-0 edge.

The Bluejays battled back in the fourth inning, taking a 3-2 lead on run-scoring singles from Ivy McBeth and Gabby Kerr. But the Heralds responded with authority in the fifth. Five hits—including Lagoa’s three-run double—helped Saint John reclaim control of the game with an 8-3 lead.

Isabelle Holler went the distance in the circle for the Heralds. The right-hander scattered 10 hits over seven innings, allowing five runs (three earned) while striking out four and walking one.

Katie Byers pitched a complete game for Jackson-Milton, but was tagged with the loss after allowing 10 runs on 16 hits.

Saint John’s offense was relentless throughout the night, racking up 16 hits as a team. Rylee Schiedel, Maddie Holler, Caitlyn Carney, Rylee Frasure, and Bella Brent all had multi-hit games. On the basepaths, the Heralds were just as aggressive—swiping eight total bases, with Lagoa and Brent leading the way.

Jackson-Milton tallied 10 hits of their own, with Joslyn Cellars, Grace Johns, and McBeth each recording two. McBeth, Kerr, and Amani Yasin each drove in a run for the Bluejays. Defensively, Jackson-Milton played a clean game with no errors. Catcher Charly Estes led the way with 10 fielding chances.

With the win, the Heralds advance to the OHSAA District finals, where they will take on the Chalker Wildcats on May 21, 2025 in Jefferson.

BLUE JAYS TAKE DOWN CONFERENCE RIVALS IN BRACKET PLAY

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NORTH JACKSON OH-  Jackson-Milton came out swinging and never let up, punching their ticket to the district semis with a 17-6 win over Western Reserve on Wednesday.

Brena McBeth was lights out in the circle, fanning 10 and tossing four-plus innings of no-hit ball. She walked four but kept Western Reserve off the board until late, setting the tone early and often.

The Blue Jays wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard—four runs in the first, two more in the second, and another five-run outburst in the third. Everything was clicking: walks, wild pitches, gap shots, and timely base knocks. By the fourth, Jackson-Milton had built a mountain too steep to climb.

Western Reserve finally cracked the scoring column in the fourth, scratching across six runs on just one hit thanks to a walk parade, a hit-by-pitch, a bases-clearing triple, and an error. But that momentum didn’t last long—Jackson-Milton came right back with five more in the bottom half to shut the door.

The Blue Jays tallied 11 hits, with a handful of hitters putting together multi-hit games and big-time RBIs. They also showed patience at the dish, drawing eight walks and swiping four bags to keep the pressure on all night. Next up: Jackson-Milton hosts St. John in the district semifinals on Monday. The Jays are heating up at the right time.

RAMS WIN FIRST CONFERENCE CROWN SINCE 2004

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By Ty Bartell

NORTH JACKSON, Ohio — The Mineral Ridge Rams clinched sole possession of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division title Monday night, outlasting Jackson-Milton 10-8 in a high-scoring battle to improve to 16-6 on the season.

The Rams used a balanced offensive attack and timely pitching to secure the victory on the road, pulling away late in a game that featured 23 total hits and multiple lead changes. Sandy led the charge for Mineral Ridge, going 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs. Lily

Merolillo and Megan Haynie each added two hits and combined to drive in three more runs. Laney Rigley also contributed with a pair of hits, including a double, and scored twice. The Rams put together a four-run second inning to take control early and added five more runs across the fourth and fifth frames to stay ahead.

Mineral Ridge got 4 ⅔ innings from starter Lily Merolillo, who allowed seven hits and five earned runs while striking out four. Savannah Turek picked up the win in relief, throwing 2 ⅓ innings and giving up just one earned run while striking out three.

Jackson-Milton (10-8) matched the Rams hit-for-hit, tallying 13 total, but couldn’t hold Mineral Ridge off the scoreboard in key moments. Emma Johns was a standout for the Blue Jays, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Grace Johns and Katie Byers each had two hits, with Katie Byers driving in two. Brena Mcbeth, drove in two with a two-run shot in the fifth. McBeth also took the loss in the circle, surrendering 10 hits and 10 runs, seven of them earned, over seven innings.The Blue Jays chipped away with four runs in the fourth and two more in the sixth to tighten the contest, but the Rams’ defense held firm in the seventh to close it out.

With the win, Mineral Ridge locks up the MVAC Scarlet title outright, topping off a strong regular season and setting their sights on tournament play.

LISBON LETS IT RIDE ON BLUE

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NORTH JACKSON OH-  Lisbon made the most of their chances Friday, using a big sixth inning and some shutdown pitching to take down Jackson-Milton 9-4.

Logan Sturgeon got the Blue Devils on the board early with an RBI single in the second, but the real damage came in the sixth. With the game hanging in the balance, Lisbon cashed in five runs on just one hit—thanks to a handful of errors, a bases-loaded walk from Mason Jones, and a couple well-placed balls that forced mistakes. Ugly or not, they all count.

Brady Carpenter was sharp on the mound, punching out six in three shutout innings to grab the win. Bryce Esarey kept the clamps on late, tossing two hitless frames in relief to help close the door.

At the plate, Nick Peruchetti came up clutch out of the eight-hole, driving in three runs. Ashton Hinchliffe, Marc Moore, and Sturgeon all chipped in with a pair of knocks, while the lineup as a whole worked seven walks to keep the pressure on.

For Jackson-Milton, Dom Krol had a perfect day at the plate, going 2-for-2 out of the leadoff spot. James Croyle added a two-RBI day to help keep things interesting, but the miscues in the sixth were too much to overcome. Lisbon heads back home Monday to host Leetonia, riding a bit of momentum after a gritty road win.

LABRAE STAYS SOLID IN BATTLE WITH BLUE JAYS

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LEAVITTSBURG OH- Down 6-0 early, LaBrae didn’t blink—and Alex Prouty made sure of it. Prouty came through in the clutch, driving in four runs on three hits, including a go-ahead double in the sixth, to lift the Vikings over Jackson-Milton 9-7 in a wild one on Wednesday.

Things looked rough early. Jackson-Milton jumped all over LaBrae in the second, scoring six runs on a handful of base hits and an error to take command. But the Vikings chipped away and turned the tide in the fifth.

That inning was the turning point—Prouty ripped a two-run single, Keith Smallsreed doubled in a run, and Easton Armstrong added another RBI to flip the scoreboard and put LaBrae up 7-6.

Jackson-Milton didn’t go away quietly, tying it up in the sixth with a sac fly. But Prouty came up big again, lacing a two-run double in the bottom half to give LaBrae the lead for good.

Owen Boone came on in relief and slammed the door, allowing just one hit and no earned runs over 2.2 innings to earn the win. Vince Delvecchio grabbed the save to finish things off.

LaBrae racked up 12 hits on the day. Ethan Magoulick and Austin Rowe each had multi-hit games, while the team spread the offense top to bottom.

Jackson-Milton got solid performances at the plate from several hitters and played clean defense, but couldn’t hold the early lead. Next up for LaBrae: a Friday road trip to Garfield. Jackson Milton returns to conference play next as they host Waterloo on Thursday.

RIDGE STRETCHES MVAC WIN STREAK TO THIRTEEN

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- Mineral Ridge took care of business in a big way Tuesday, rolling past Jackson-Milton 12-2 in a six-inning statement win.

Jackson-Milton got on the board first with a double play that pushed a run across in the top of the first, but that lead didn’t last long.

The Rams came out swinging in the bottom half. Laney Rigley ripped a triple down the right field line, and Kourtni Kaminski followed with a rope to center for a double—each knock bringing in two runs and flipping the scoreboard fast.

Then came the bomb. In the second, Kelcee Dye stepped up and launched a three-run shot to left, opening things up even more.

Mineral Ridge kept the pressure on with a run in the third thanks to a clutch two-strike single from Megan Haynie, and they didn’t let up from there.

Savannah Turek went the distance in the circle, scattering 10 hits over six innings while allowing just two runs. She didn’t walk a batter and picked up four Ks. The Rams backed her up with sharp defense, turning two double plays and playing clean behind her.

At the dish, Dye led the way with three RBIs, going 2-for-3. Rigley was locked in, finishing with three hits. Lily Merolillo swiped three bags, and Ridge totaled six steals as a team.

Jackson-Milton put together 10 hits of their own but couldn’t cash in enough to hang around. Ivy and Brena McBeth each had two hits, and the team picked up a couple of steals, but the Rams were just too much.

Next up, Mineral Ridge hits the road to take on Campbell Memorial, while Jackson-Milton heads back home to host LaBrae.

RESERVE DOUBLES UP HEATED RIVALS

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BERLIN CENTER OH- Western Reserve clawed back and then some on Wednesday, using a big sixth inning to knock off Jackson-Milton 8-4.

The Blue Jays struck first with a sac fly in the opening frame and tacked on another in the second to go up 2-1. Western Reserve kept pace early thanks to a Hunter Stacy RBI single and then tied it again in the fourth when Peyton Hartzell dropped a liner into center to make it 3-3.

Jackson-Milton briefly reclaimed the lead in the sixth off an error, but that didn’t last long. The Blue Devils erupted in the bottom half for five runs, stringing together four hits and capitalizing on some shaky defense. The knockout blow came off Hartzell’s bat again—he ripped a single that plated two and flipped the momentum for good.

Evan Slaven got the start and battled through six innings, giving up seven hits and four runs—three earned—while fanning a pair. Ross Watkins shut the door in the seventh, tossing a clean frame to seal it.

Hartzell had himself a day from the nine-hole, going 2-for-3 and knocking in three. Stacy chipped in two hits as well, and the Devils showed patience at the dish with six walks—Dotson and Kiraly each drew two. Watkins swiped a pair of bags as Reserve totaled four steals on the night.

Jackson-Milton had some fight, picking up four stolen bases of their own and a few key hits, but couldn’t hang on down the stretch. The Blue Devils are back home Thursday with East coming to town, looking to stay hot.

MCDONALD CLEANS UP SWEEP OF BLUE JAYS

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NORTH JACKSON OH — Kayla Helco couldn’t be kept off the bases Tuesday, going 3-for-4 and driving in a pair as McDonald rolled past Jackson-Milton 6-1.

Helco set the tone early, ripping a single in the first that brought home two runs to get the Blue Devils rolling. She followed that up with base knocks in the fourth and seventh, finishing her night with three hits and two stolen bags for good measure.

Aubrey Evans handled the rest. The McDonald ace struck out 11 and gave up just two hits across seven innings of work. She worked around five walks but never let Jackson-Milton get anything going.

Miley Titus added to the lead with an RBI groundout in the second, and McDonald kept the pressure on through the middle innings. Kylie Gherardi chipped in with two hits as the Devils piled up seven in total.

Jackson-Milton got singles from Emma and Grace Johns, with Emma picking up the lone RBI. They stayed patient at the plate, working five walks, and turned a pair of slick double plays defensively—but couldn’t crack Evans in the circle. McDonald heads back home Wednesday for a showdown with LaBrae, looking to keep the momentum rolling. Jackson Milton gets right back to action on Wednesday at Western Reserve.

MCDONALD SETS A TONE IN THE SERIES OPENER

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McDONALD OH— Sophia Pecchia came through in the clutch Monday, driving in four runs on a pair of base knocks to help McDonald cruise past Jackson-Milton 13-2 in five innings.

Jackson-Milton grabbed a quick lead after a first-inning error, but McDonald wasn’t rattled. The Blue Devils answered with five runs in the bottom half, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Marissa Colarich that flipped the game on its head.

McDonald kept the pressure on in the third, hanging another crooked number—this time six runs. Pecchia delivered again with a two-RBI single, while Aubrey Evans helped her own cause with a run-scoring knock. Walks drawn by Miley Titus and Gianna Mancini also pushed runs across, and Kayla Helco chipped in with an RBI groundout.

Evans was dealing in the circle, punching out 11 and allowing just two hits and two runs in five innings of work. She walked only two and kept the Jayhawks guessing all night.

Addison Grewell led the hit parade with a 3-for-3 showing out of the eight-hole. Evans and Alexis Hvisdak both added multiple hits, and Mancini drew three of the team’s seven total walks as McDonald stayed disciplined at the plate.

Emma and Grace Johns picked up the only hits for Jackson-Milton, and Charly Estes stole two bases in a bright spot for the Jayhawks. These two square off again Tuesday, with McDonald looking for the sweep on the road.

CAMPBELL CLAPS BACK AND STUNS THE JAYS IN GAME TWO

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NORTH JACKSON OH-  Campbell edged out Jackson-Milton 6-5 on Tuesday, using a few key defensive slip-ups to sneak away with the win.

The Red Devils got on the board early, plating two runs in the top of the first after an error cracked the door open. But Jackson-Milton fired right back in the bottom half—Brena McBeth crushed a 3-run bomb to straightaway center to put the Blue Jays up 3-2.

That momentum didn’t last long, though. Campbell came back swinging in the second, taking advantage of two more defensive miscues to hang four runs on the board and retake the lead, 6-3. From there, they rode it out.

Ramani Adams got the win in the circle, going five innings while allowing just three hits and five runs—only three of ‘em earned. She struck out one and walked three. Jackson-Milton’s Katie Byers battled through five innings herself, striking out seven and giving up just one earned run, but the errors were the difference.

At the plate, Adams, Liv Miranda, Abby Broz, and Mileena Williams all picked up base hits for Campbell. McBeth was the spark plug for Jackson-Milton, driving in three with her homer. Byers and Emma Johns each added a knock, but it wasn’t enough to erase the gap. Campbell heads to Liberty on Saturday, while Jackson-Milton looks to bounce back at home Wednesday against Newton Falls.