Tag Archive for: Featured

MEROLILLO HAS MONSTER GAME TO PUSH THE RAMS FORWARD

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- Lily Merolillo was the star for Mineral Ridge as they rolled past Lowellville 13-4 on Wednesday. Merolillo knocked in four runs with singles in the second and third innings, really sparking the offense.

The team jumped out early with Laney Rigley’s RBI single in the first. The second inning saw them extend their lead thanks to a wild pitch and another two-RBI single from Merolillo.

The third inning was a bonanza, with Mineral Ridge tacking on five runs. Maddie Gerberry’s sacrifice bunt brought one home, Maggie Collins smacked a double for another, Sullivan Sandy lifted a sac fly, and Merolillo delivered yet another two-run single.

Merolillo wasn’t just a force at the plate but also on the mound, earning the win with a full seven innings of work, allowing four runs and striking out six.

The bats were hot for Mineral Ridge, racking up 15 hits. Rigley, Sydney Wyllie, Collins, Aaliyah Wall, and Savannah Turek each had multiple hits, helping to keep the bases flowing. They also showcased their speed, swiping four bases during the game.

Next stop for Mineral Ridge is the district semifinals against Maplewood at Jackson Milton High School on Monday.

BADGER EARNS THE ROAD TOURNAMENT WIN

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EAST PALESTINE OH- Isabella Bailey was on fire from the mound, racking up 12 strikeouts to steer Badger past East Palestine 4-1 on Wednesday. Bailey was stingy with the hits, letting just two slip by and allowing a single run across seven innings, issuing only one walk.

The action started early when Badger capitalized on an East Palestine error and a sharp single by Samantha Bradbury to score in the opening frame.

On the other side, Gabby Andre shouldered the loss for East Palestine, working through seven innings where she yielded four unearned runs on seven hits, while striking out three and issuing a pair of walks.

Molly O’Brien was a standout at the plate for Badger, notching two hits. Bradbury and Morgan Hall each knocked in a run, adding to the team’s momentum. Badger also showed their speed on the bases, swiping four bags during the game.

For East Palestine, Kennedy Andre and Emma Gingher managed a hit apiece, while the team’s defense turned two double plays, showing some slick skills in the field despite the loss.

Badger now advances to the d district semifinals where they’ll matchup with top seeded Mathews on Monday at Jackson Milton High School.

BLUE DEVILS DOING THE RIGHT THINGS

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MCDONALD OH- Isabella O’Brien was untouchable in the circle, racking up 19 strikeouts in McDonald’s 6-0 shutout against Fairport on Wednesday. O’Brien was almost perfect, allowing just one hit across seven innings without issuing a walk.

The game swung McDonald’s way in the fifth inning, thanks to a flurry of runs. O’Brien smacked a double that brought two runners home, while Aubrey Evans and Jenna Helco each added RBI singles. The scoring started in the fourth, though, when a Fairport error allowed McDonald to notch the first run of the game.

On the flip side, Madisen McFadden shouldered the loss for Fairport, enduring a tough six innings where she conceded six runs (four earned) off 13 hits and struck out three.

McDonald’s lineup was on fire, amassing 13 hits. O’Brien, swinging a hot bat, drove in two runs and bagged a couple of hits herself. Bri McCombs led the hit parade, going 3-for-4. Helco and Evans also turned in strong performances with multiple hits. Defensively, McDonald was flawless, with Lauren O’Leary involved in 12 plays, ensuring the team kept a clean sheet.

With this win, McDonald is set to face Jackson Milton in the district semifinals this Monday at 4:00 PM at Badger High School, renewing a rivalry with another MVAC powerhouse.

HUBBARD RIDING MOMENTUM FORWARD

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HUBBARD OH- Haleigh Taylor lit up the diamond for Hubbard, putting on a show that helped propel the Eagles to a spirited 10-7 win over LaBrae as they gear up for their upcoming tournament game. Taylor smashed a homer, knocked in three runs, and scored twice herself, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Not to be outdone, Cara Green had a standout performance, batting a perfect 3-for-3, driving in two runs, and crossing the plate once. Alyssa Gregory added her own spark with a 2-for-3 outing, contributing an RBI and scoring twice.

On the mound, Taylor and Phoebe Rusnak shared duties, navigating through seven innings where they surrendered 11 hits and five earned runs while fanning seven batters.

LaBrae wasn’t without their highlights. Leah DeArmitt and Mackenzie Lichty each put up solid efforts, with DeArmitt going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, and Lichty 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run. Shelby Bragg and Vada Allen also chipped in with key hits and runs, ensuring the game kept its competitive edge.

CLIPPERS CREATE A PATH TO DISTRICTS

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Mackenzi Gamble kicked off the tournament in stellar fashion, throwing a no-hitter that catapulted Columbiana past Wickliffe with a smooth 5-0 victory, clinching the Sectional Championship. Gamble was on fire, shutting down the opposition with 13 strikeouts across seven innings, allowing no hits and issuing just two walks.

At the plate, Columbiana’s lineup delivered some serious firepower. Maryn Hepler smashed a homer, driving in two runs and crossing the plate herself. Cam Perkins was hot with the bat, going 2-for-3, knocking in two runs, and scoring once. Caitlynn Pleska and Gamble each added hits and runs to round out a solid team performance.

With this win, Columbiana is all set for the district semifinals, where they’ll face the winner of the Rootstown vs Pymatuning Valley showdown. The action moves to South Range High School this Tuesday at 6:00 PM.

BOARDMAN NEVER STOPS FIGHTING

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BOARDMAN OH- Boardman’s season wrapped up with a bang, but not the kind they hoped for, as Lake stormed into town and snagged a wild 16-14 victory on Wednesday.

The Spartans didn’t go down without a fight, though. Maddie Wymer was on fire, going 3-for-4 with a homer, driving in five, and scoring three times herself. Kenzie Cherne also brought the heat with a 2-for-4 day, including a homer, three RBIs, and crossing the plate twice. Leah Habeger and Alex Ward contributed solid hits and RBIs, keeping the scoreboard operator busy.

LEOPARDS TAKE CARE OF SECTIONALS

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LOUISVILLE OH- Louisville steamrolled into the district semifinals after thrashing Nordonia 11-1 in their sectional final on Wednesday.

The Louisville lineup was on fire, with Leah Claugus leading the charge. She hammered two homers, driving in six and crossing the plate twice herself. Not far behind, Anna Sirohman added a solo shot, contributing to the scoring frenzy.

In the circle,  Taylor Schneider dominated, tossing five innings of two-hit ball. She only let one run slip by while striking out eight, keeping Nordonia’s hitters guessing all game.

Next up, Louisville sets their sights on Riverside for a district semifinal showdown this Monday at 5:00 PM in Mentor. They’re looking sharp and ready to keep the momentum going.

LAKERS WAVE OF OFFENSE TOO MUCH FOR SPARTANS

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Photo Credit: Kelly Summer Photography

Andover, OH- The Pymatuning Valley Lakers got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Kylie Luke tripled, scoring two runs, an error scored one run, and Kendall Gray singled, scoring two runs.

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers scored 10 runs on seven hits in the bottom of the second inning. McKenna Jordan singled, scoring one run, an error scored one run, Mackenzie Kribbs doubled, scoring two runs, Nataleigh Haines doubled, scoring two runs, Luke singled, scoring one run, and Saige Payne tripled, scoring three runs.

A single by Isabella Limestoll extended the Pymatuning Valley Lakers’ lead to 16-0 in the bottom of the third inning.

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers scored six runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Rylee Young singled, scoring one run, Macie Payne doubled, scoring two runs, an error scored two runs, and an error scored one run. Kribbs earned the win for the Pymatuning Valley Lakers. The starting pitcher surrendered two hits and one run over five innings, striking out six and walking four.

Alexis Brown took the loss for the Conneaut Spartans. The right-handed pitcher went three and two-thirds innings, giving up 22 runs (five earned) on 13 hits, striking out three and walking four.

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers accumulated 13 hits in the game. Payne drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Pymatuning Valley Lakers with four runs batted in. They went 1-for-2 on the day.

Payne, Allison Clark, and Luke each collected two hits for the Pymatuning Valley Lakers. Clark stole two bases.

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers stole five bases in the game. The Pymatuning Valley Lakers turned one double play in the game.

Maddy Drew and Vina Sanford each collected one hit for the Conneaut Spartans.

Sanford led the Conneaut Spartans with one run batted in. They went 1-for-2 on the day. Ella Boriski stole two bases.

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers welcome Rootstown Rovers on Thursday for their next game.

NO DRAMA THIS TIME FOR COLUMBIANA

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COLUMBIANA OH- Just two days after Devin Daugherty hit and pitched the Columbiana Clippers to a victory over East Palestine, his teammate and friend Alex Eusebio did the same on Wednesday at Firestone Park.  The EOAC Champion Clippers beat the Bulldogs 11-1 in five innings as Eusebio (6-1) pitched a two hitter, striking out 10 while giving up one unearned run and walking none. Eusebio also helped his own cause at the plate, ripping two doubles and knocking in three runs.

Columbiana got on the board in the bottom of the first when Ian Less and Colin Keleman drew walks, advanced on Daugherty’s ground out before Eusebio doubled, scoring Less and Keleman.  Hunter Davanzo then hit a sacrifice fly and Eusebio scored to make it 3-0 after one inning.  The Clippers made it 5-0 in the second when Less got hit by a pitch, Keleman walked and after a double steal, Daugherty hit a sacrifice fly to score Less then Eusebio doubled for the second time, bringing in Keleman.

Columbiana added five runs in the third inning on three walks, two hit batsmen and hits from Keleman and Daugherty. The Bulldogs got on the board in the fourth when Cale Moraski singled and went to second on an error.  Tommy Beatty then singled on a soft liner to left and brought in Moraski.

The game ended due to the Mercy Rule when Eusebio walked in the fifth, stole second and came home on Anthony Hall’s double to center.  In addition to Eusebio’s two doubles and three RBI and Hall’s two hits and one RBI, the Clippers also received a hit and two RBIs from Daugherty, a hit and an RBI from Keleman and a hit from Reese Roush.

The win gives the Clippers (16-10, 12-0 EOAC) their second straight undefeated season in the EOAC and their third conference championship in four years.  They will open tournament play next Wednesday at home against the winner of Monday’s Sectional Semi-Final between Waterloo and Crestview.   East Palestine (5-9, 5-4 EOAC) has two games against Lisbon to finish off the regular season before opening Sectional play on Monday at Lakeview.

BRIONES LEADS DRAGONS TO FIRST VICTORY OVER NILES

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Niles, OH- Rosario Briones drove in four runs on one hit to lead Lakeside Dragons past Niles Red Dragons 19-10 on Wednesday.

Both offenses were strong at the plate as Lakeside Dragons collected 11 hits and Niles Red Dragons 10 in the high-scoring affair.

A single by Jada Lavender put Lakeside Dragons on the board in the top of the first. Niles Red Dragons jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Lakeside Dragons committed an error, and Madison Sullivan lined out, each scoring one run.

Lakeside Dragons flipped the game on its head in the top of the second, scoring seven runs on four hits to take an 8-2 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was an error that drove in two. Lakeside Dragons added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Niles Red Dragons committed an error, Lavender grounded out, and Ryleigh Chatman singled, each scoring one run.

Lyla Hamilton earned the win for Lakeside Dragons. They gave up one hit and five runs (zero earned) over two innings, striking out none and walking four. Jules Lavender pitched five innings in relief for Lakeside Dragons. The righty surrendered nine hits and five runs while striking out seven and walking eight. Ariana Jones began the game for Niles Red Dragons. They surrendered 11 hits and 19 runs (six earned) over seven innings, striking out eight and walking eight.

Lakeside Dragons piled up 11 hits in the game. Mariah Gildersleeve led Lakeside Dragons with three hits in five at-bats. Hamilton collected two hits for Lakeside Dragons in five at-bats. Lakeside Dragons had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating eight walks for the game. Sophia Matriciano and Lucie Cole led the team with two walks each.

Niles Red Dragons piled up 10 hits in the game. Kennedy Barrell drove the middle of the lineup, leading Niles Red Dragons with two runs batted in. The shortstop went 1-for-2 on the day. Abigail Noland went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Niles Red Dragons in hits. Lucia DeLuca and Jones each collected multiple hits for Niles Red Dragons. Zoey Beck paced Niles Red Dragons with four walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying 12 walks for the game.

Next up for Lakeside Dragons is a game at Grand Valley on Wednesday.