Tag Archive for: columbiana

BULLDOGS BITE BACK AGAINST CLIPPERS

NEW WATERFORD, OH-  Cameron Wischerman’s three-run double with two outs in the third inning carried the East Palestine Bulldogs past the Columbiana Clippers here Wednesday afternoon.  

The game was almost a copy of Monday’s matchup in reverse.  This time it was the Clippers jumping out to a two-run lead in the first and the Bulldogs coming back with the one big hit to make the difference.  Ryan Fahs, Chase Franken, and Brady Dixon lined three straight singles in the first to plate the lone runs for Columbiana. Dalton Vance shrugged off the shaky start and settled in to shut down the Clippers over the final six innings to get the complete game victory.  He struck out 10 while allowing just four hits. Ryan Fahs pitched well in the loss. He went five innings giving up the four runs.

The Bulldogs big inning was set up by two walks and a base hit from Justin Hooley after two were out.   

 

**Written by Mark Franken**

LADY CLIPS ICE BLUE DEVILS

COLUMBIANA, OH-  The Columbiana Clippers defeated the Western Reserve Blue Devils in softball action here Tuesday night 7-5 in a game that featured a few momentum swings, the last favoring the home team.  The Clippers scored in each of the first two innings to take a 3-0 lead into the third. The Blue Devils rallied to tie it in the third and took the lead 5-3 in the fifth. They maintained a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the sixth, but with none on and two out, the Clippers exploded for 4 runs.  Tori Long retired the side in order in the seventh for the complete game victory.

Losing pitcher, Layla Woolf, settled in after the shaky first two innings and appeared to have the game in hand with two outs in the sixth.  However, Clipper sophomore Madison Moser battled Woolf fouling off several offerings before singling sharply to right. That turned the lineup over to the top where Maci Linhart resides.  Linhart scorched a base hit to left for her third hit of the game. Then, Alyssa Tohm delivered the big blow. A two-run triple to give the Clippers the lead. Tohm scored the final run on a wild pitch.

Welsch led the Blue Devils offensively.  Woolf, Donithan, and Heater had timely hits as well.  Long helped her own cause with two hits for the Clippers (2-0).

 

**Written by YSN’s Voice of Columbiana, Mark Franken**

CLIPPERS LEASH BULLDOGS

COLUMBIANA, OH-  Chase Franken settled in after a rough start to the 2019 campaign going the distance as Columbiana defeated East Palestine 5-2 here at frigid Firestone Park.  After the Bulldogs scored two unearned in the first and threatened in the second, Franken retired 16 of the last 17 en route to complete game win. He struck out 11 and walked two.

The Bulldogs had an aggressive mindset at the plate.  Connor Elliot hit the first pitch of the game to left center for a double and scored on a ball that got through the left side.   With two out, another error allowed Dalton Vance to score for an early 2-0 advantage. However, Sean Helpy gave up two walks to start the bottom of the second which set up the Clippers’ go-ahead inning. Wayne Davis had the big hit. His knock scored Zach Pleska, and Erik Hopfenziz followed after a throwing error. Davis then scored on a wild pitch to put the Clippers ahead for good 3-2.   They added single runs in the fourth and sixth as junior Ryan Fahs had an RBI single.

There weren’t many hard-hit balls as a cold, biting wind made it very difficult for both teams at the plate.  Helpy was the hard-luck loser as he pitched effectively into the sixth.

The Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference and Route 14 rivals will meet again in East Palestine at the Next Level complex on Wednesday at 5 p.m.   

 

**Written by YSN’s Voice of Columbiana: Mark Franken**

CLIPPERS GROW IN FIRST COMPETITION OF THE SEASON

SANDUSKY, OH- The Clippers traveled to Sandusky on a cold and windy Saturday for their first opportunity to compete in the 2019 season.  Strong performances on the mound and clutch performances at the plate helped the Clippers come out on top.  Beyond the results on the scoreboard, it was a great opportunity for young players to showcase their skills and the returning veterans to get back in the swing of things.

Chase Franken, Zachary Pleska, Rylie McElwain, Ryan Fahs, and Wayne Davis all were strong on the mound as they combined to allow only 1 hit and 3 runs (1 earned) on the afternoon.  At the plate, the Clippers knocked in 10 out of 13 runs scored with 2 outs, led by Brady Dixon who hit a 2 run inside-the-park home run in his first at-bat of the afternoon.

The Clippers are back in action this week with three more varsity scrimmages scheduled and two JV scrimmages.  These are great opportunities for Columbiana to fine-tune before the season openers for both squads next Monday, March 25th.

 

**STORY BY RYAN WOLF AND CONTRIBUTED BY COLUMBIANABASEBALL.COM**

RAIDERS SINK CLIPPERS

CANFIELD, OH– A solid, stingy defense and just enough offense enabled South Range to oust Columbiana 52-32 here Friday night.  The Raiders frustrated the Clippers attack all night long not allowing them to find any rhythm.

The defensive nature of the game was evident from the outset.  Both teams tenaciously challenged each other making offense difficult to execute.  It was the Raiders though who were able to open up a lead late in the first quarter and control the action the rest of the way.  Nick Matus had a strong start scoring 7 points giving the Raiders a 16-7 lead after one, and South Range took a 25-12 advantage into the locker room.

Columbiana kept the game within reach through three quarters getting as close as ten points with 3:20 to play in the third.  South Range led 37-25 heading to the final stanza before steadily pulling away.

 Chris Brooks led all scorers with 15.  Jaxon Andersen had 10 while Ben Irons, Dante Digaetano, and Matus chipped in with 7 apiece.  Sean Whitehead scored all of his 14 in the second half, and Matt Mazei netted 9 for the Clippers whose strong second half of the season ended with a 13-11 record.

South Range (17-6) head to Salem for a District semi-final against Canton Central Catholic Tuesday at 7 p.m.

CLIPPERS CRUISE TO VICTORY

COLUMBIANA, OH- The Columbiana Clippers drove to the basket early and often as they cruised past rival East Palestine 64-42 to open sectional play.  

Junior Sean Whitehead started strong in place of injured senior Seth Ross scoring six points in the first two minutes as the Clippers raced out to a 12-2 lead midway through the first quarter.  The Bulldogs could find no rhythm on offense and trailed 13-5 at the end of the first quarter.

Back to back threes by Dominic Posey and Abel Figley tightened things up early in the second, but the Clippers quickly responded.  A 13-2 run opened things up and they never looked back. “Our boys were really pumped up tonight hosting a playoff game,” said coach Todd Johnson.  And the Clips were clicking on all cylinders as seven players scored in the second quarter en route to a 40-19 lead at intermission.

With the Bulldogs unable to muster any semblance of a comeback, the Clippers simply maintained control throughout the second half.  Coach Johnson lauded his bench and the balanced attack. Nine players scored at least three points led by Carter Pasco and Whitehead who had 10 apiece.  Senior Erik Hopfenziz had 9 points and 8 rebounds. Posey led the Bulldogs with 13 points.

The Clippers travel to Canfield to face a strong South Range team on Friday night.  

 

**STORY COURTESY OF YSN’S MARK FRANKEN**

FULL OF OPTIMISM

For any younger sibling, it’s always hard to step out and away from the shadow cast by an older brother or sister.  Especially if that older sibling had been one of the greatest to do what they do.  For Columbiana Senior, Kennedy Fullum, it’s an honor to use the same flight path as her sister Khylea.

PHOTO CREDIT: KELLY FULLUM

 

These sisters have combined for over 2,100 Clipper points in their respective careers, with Kennedy still scorching the nets this year.  The only sisters to accomplish the feat in Columbiana, it’s quite the feat.  However, as much as Kennedy looks up to big sis, there’s a trail she’s looking to blaze on her own.  Kennedy Fullum is ready to help lead the Lady Clips into the playoffs, and with purpose.

PHOTO CREDIT: KELLY RUDOLPH FULLUM

The Clippers have taken off this year under Coach Dave Crismon, and have navigated their way to another EOAC Crown in 2019.  For Fullum, it’s about taking what she’s learned from past experiences (both her’s and her sister’s) and making this Clipper Crew the best in history!

A young lady full of determination, passion, but most of all- optimism.  YSN’s Mark Franken sits down with Kennedy Fullum in our Columbiana Basketball Player Profile: FULL OF OPTIMISM.

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COLUMBIANA BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER WITH DAVE CRISMON (EP 2)

With a new Pilot for the Clippers Girl’s Basketball Team, veteran Coach Dave Crismon has brought a sense of urgency to Columbiana.  The talent pool is stacked with scorers, and a great work ethic and Coach Crismon is looking to make a huge run this year!

The Lady Clips are red-hot, what’s at the heart of their success?  The offense is a big part of their success as of late, but is it the defense that makes the biggest impact?

Find out all that and more on this week’s Columbiana Coach’s Corner with Dave Crismon!

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TOO LIGGETT TO QUIT

Senior Clipper Cager, Tessa Liggett has had quite the campaign with Columbiana.  She’s known for her incredible skill on the court, but her accomplishments in the classroom are notable as well.  Flanked by 1000-point scorers this year, Tess has made a career of outworking her opponents.  Flying under the radar hasn’t been such a bad thing, as with most teams Liggett would be the team’s top scorer, but as we’ve seen in the professional ranks, it’s a team full of superstars that win championships.

PHOTO CREDIT: KELLY FULLUM

With diamonds on her mind, Tessa and her team are building for the long-haul.  Their focus is firmly set on championships at the highest levels.  As you’ll hear in our sit-down with her, Liggett is looking to engineer things in her near future, and that very well could start with an EOAC Championship in 2019.

YSN’s Mark Franken sat down with Tessa for this week’s Columbiana Player Profile: TOO LIGGETT TO QUIT!

 

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COLUMBIANA COACH’S CORNER WITH TODD JOHNSON (EP 2)

The Clippers are back and are led by Third-year Skipper Todd Johnson.  The Clippers are still searching for consistency, but it’s the depth of the bench and a couple 3rd-year starters in leadership positions is something that Coach J is looking to pay off this year.

Is this the year that the Clippers retake their throne at the top of the league?

YSN’s Mark Franken sits down with Coach to discuss the year ahead, and what the expectations are for the Red and White.

Are the Clips the front-runners for the EOAC?  Can they knock-off the returning champs in Toronto?

All that and more in the year’s second edition of Columbiana Coach’s Corner with Todd Johnson!

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