Tag Archive for: Hoban

HOBAN FINDS A BOUNCE BACK VICTORY

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AKRON OH-  Hoban came alive late and slammed the door shut on Canton Central Catholic, using a five-run sixth inning to pull away for an 8-2 win on Wednesday.

The Knights got things started early with a first-inning RBI double, but Canton Central answered in the third with a game-tying single, then took the lead in the fourth on another base knock. That lead didn’t last long.

Hoban punched right back in the bottom half of the fourth with a pair of run-scoring singles to retake the lead at 3-2. Then came the sixth—an all-out blitz. A double into the gap brought two runs across, followed by back-to-back RBI singles to stretch the lead to 8-2 and break the game wide open.

On the bump, Hoban’s starter went five solid innings, giving up eight hits and just two runs (one earned), while striking out three. The bullpen handled the rest, tossing two scoreless to lock it down.

At the plate, the Knights racked up nine hits, spreading the damage across the lineup. The offense didn’t rely on the long ball—just clutch swings and timely execution.

Canton Central actually outhit Hoban with 10 knocks, including three from their leadoff man and a couple more from the middle of the order, but couldn’t string together the hits when it mattered. Next up for Hoban: a matchup with Benedictine on Tuesday.

BUILT FORD TOUGH; STACY LEADS THE WAY OVER HOBAN

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STRUTHERS, OH- Ford Stacy came up clutch for Mooney on Monday, driving in four runs to help the Cards take down Archbishop Hoban, 9-4.

Stacy got things rolling in the second with a two-run double, then came right back in the third with a single that knocked in two more. He also picked up the win on the mound, tossing six strong innings, giving up just four hits and two runs while striking out seven.

The bottom of the order came through in a big way. Stacy, Trent Litman, and Jacob Gugliotta combined for five of Mooney’s 10 knocks and drove in six of the nine runs. Gugliotta added an RBI single of his own to cap a three-run second inning that gave Mooney the lead for good.

Ben Oddis also chipped in with a 2RBI single in the third as the Cards stretched the lead to 6-1.

Hoban got on the board first thanks to a solo blast from Justice Buckner, but they couldn’t keep pace. Breyan Stewart took the loss for the Knights, giving up six runs in two innings of work.

Litman, Stacy, and Oddis each had two hits in the win. Blake Bantum had a solid day for Hoban, going 2-for-3, while Buckner and Andrew Karhoff each picked up an RBI.

Mooney is back at it Wednesday when they head to Columbiana.

PURCHASE GAME PHOTOS HERE

KNIGHTS END UP STYMIED BY HOOVER

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CANTON OH- Hoover flexed some muscle Monday night, cruising past Hoban 10-2 behind a monster day from Emi Fankhauser.

Fankhauser was locked in from the jump, going 3-for-4 with a single in the first, a triple in the third, and a no-doubt bomb to center in the sixth that brought home two. She wasn’t the only one locked in—Hoover racked up 15 hits as a squad and never let Hoban get comfortable.

The Vikings got rolling in the second after a Summer McCaw RBI knock and a Hoban miscue helped plate a pair. In the third, Alexis Greenauer lifted a sac fly and McCaw came through again with another RBI base hit to stretch the lead.

The big blow came in the sixth when Fankhauser’s two-run blast lit a spark, and Lucia Granito followed it up with a two-RBI double to slam the door shut.

Ella Letosky got the ball and went to work in the circle, grinding through five and a third while giving up just two runs and fanning five. Maya Kolts came on in relief and tossed a clean frame to keep the Knights quiet.

Fankhauser and Granito both had three hits, while McCaw drove in a pair and Greenauer and Letosky each chipped in with multiple hits. Hoover’s defense was airtight—no errors all game—with Sienna Koosh locking things down with six putouts.

For Hoban, Kalie Watson, Savannah Regan, and Kyia Rankin all notched two hits, with Rankin driving in both of the Knights’ runs. Hoban will try to bounce back Tuesday when they host Highland.

 

BUCKNER BRINGS THE BIG BATS

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AKRON OH-  Justice Buckner put on a show Wednesday, cranking two homers and driving in four runs to lead Hoban to a dominant 14-0 rout of Villa Angela-St. Joseph. The Knights did all their damage in just five innings, thanks to a mercy-rule beatdown powered by Buckner’s big bat and Jack Hardesty’s work on the bump.

Buckner got things rolling early with a two-run shot in the first, then added a solo blast in the third for good measure. The Knights dropped eight runs in the first frame alone—drawing walks like crazy and cashing in on nearly every free pass. Andrew Karhoff chipped in with a two-run single, Colt Andrews added a pair of RBIs, and Buckner even got hit by a pitch to drive in another.

On the hill, Hardesty was in full command. He struck out 11, walked none, and gave up just three hits in five shutout innings. VASJ never had a chance to settle in.

Karhoff and Buckner each finished with two knocks, and Falkenstein drew three walks as Hoban piled up 11 free passes as a team. Clean defense helped seal it, too—not a single error on the day.

For VASJ, Brady McNulty couldn’t find the zone, walking six and giving up eight runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Henry Gonakis, Brandon McBride, and John Vuraich each tallied a hit, but the Vikings couldn’t crack Hardesty.

Hoban is back at it Thursday when they host Holy Name. If Buckner stays hot and Hardesty’s dealing like this, good luck stopping them.

IRISH CAN’T CATCH HOBAN

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AKRON, OH — A big fourth inning and solid pitching from Zakary Zellers helped lift Archbishop Hoban past Ursuline, 7-2, on Friday.

Ursuline struck first in the second inning, scoring on an error to take a 1-0 lead. But Hoban quickly answered in the bottom half when Blake Bantum singled to right to tie the game.

The Knights broke things open in the fourth, starting with a Dashel Hemlick RBI double to give Hoban a 2-1 lead. Another error followed, allowing two more runs to score and stretch the lead to 4-1. Hoban added three more across the fifth and sixth to put it away.

Zellers earned the win in relief, tossing three innings of one-hit ball, striking out six and walking just one. Starter Peyton Weigand allowed three hits and one unearned run over two innings, and Breyan Stewart closed the door with two scoreless frames, striking out two.

Bantum led Hoban at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Justice Buckner, Colt Andrews, and Hemlick also drove in runs. The Knights were active on the basepaths, swiping five bags and turning a double play defensively.

For Ursuline, Luke Kollar went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Joe Balog reached base three times via walks. Despite drawing six walks as a team and turning a double play, the Irish couldn’t capitalize on their chances.

Rowan Urbach took the loss for Ursuline, allowing five runs (three earned) over five innings with three strikeouts.

Hoban will be back in action Tuesday when they host Villa Angela-St. Joseph.

SPARTANS DEFENSE KEEPS HOBAN GROUNDED

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BOARDMAN OH- Pitching was the name of the game Thursday as Boardman outdueled Hoban 2-0 in a tight one. Tori Strines was locked in from the jump, going the distance and picking up 21 outs without letting a single run cross. She gave up just three hits, walked one, and fanned three in a workhorse performance.

The Spartans scratched their first run across in the second thanks to a wild pitch, and that was all the breathing room Strines needed. Addie Rudge knocked in the other run, going 1-for-3 from the cleanup spot. Alex Ward was seeing the ball well, leading Boardman with a 2-for-3 day.

Defensively, Boardman was clean—no errors, just smooth fielding all around. Leah Habeger was a magnet at her spot, handling 11 chances without a hitch.

Hoban got knocks from Kalie Watson, Nevaeh Peters, and Madison Shenigo, but couldn’t string anything together. Alivia Havanas gave a solid effort in the circle, striking out six over six innings, but the Spartans found just enough to get it done.

Both squads played sharp defense with zero errors, but in the end, it was Boardman who made the most of their chances. Next up, Boardman heads to Columbiana on Friday, while Hoban looks to bounce back Monday on the road against Green.

Game Photos Can Be Found HERE

LEOPARDS HAND HOBAN FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON

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By Ty Bartell

AKRON, OH – The Louisville Leopards handed Archbishop Hoban its first loss of the season Monday, shutting out the Knights 4-0 behind a masterful performance from sophomore pitcher Taylor Schneider.

Louisville (2-3) wasted no time taking control, striking for three runs in the top of the first. Bailee Griffith provided the biggest swing of the inning, belting a two-run home run to give the Leopards an early advantage. Kaitlin Twinem added an RBI single as part of her two-hit performance, while Leah Claugus collected a single and a double to help pace the offense. The Leopards tacked on an insurance run in the fourth, capitalizing on steady contact and aggressive baserunning.

Schneider proved unhittable when it mattered most, racking up 11 strikeouts while allowing just six hits and two walks in a dominant complete-game shutout. Hoban (6-1) put runners on throughout the game but failed to break through against Schneider.Madison Shenigo reached base three times with a single, a triple, and a walk, while Gracelyn Schultz added a pair of hits, including a double. Despite her efforts at the plate, Schultz took the loss in the circle, pitching all seven innings while striking out six and surrendering three earned runs on seven hits.

The Knights will look to rebound Thursday when they travel to face Boardman (4-1), while Louisville will aim to build momentum in a matchup against Dover (5-1) the same day.

HOBAN HOLDS MOONEY SCORELESS

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By Ty Bartell

AKRON, Ohio — The Archbishop Hoban Knights (2-0) continued their strong start to the season with a dominant 6-0 victory over the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals (1-2) on Monday.

Hoban took control in the third inning, plating two runs before adding two more in the fourth and another pair in the sixth. The Knights collected seven hits, while their pitching staff held Mooney to just two.

Andrew Karhoff led the Hoban offense, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Will Givens, Breyan Stewart, Grady Falkenstein, Blake Bantum, and Colt Andrews also contributed at the plate. Jack Hardesty earned the win on the mound, striking out five over four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. Zakary Zellers and Stewart combined for the final three innings, striking out four and preserving the shutout.

Hoban will next face the Wadsworth Grizzlies (1-0) in Akron on Wednesday, April 2, with first pitch set for 5 p.m. Cardinal Mooney will look to bounce back the same day when they take on the Warren JFK Eagles (1-1) at Eastwood Field.

TRENT KEEPS IT LIT

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH= In a recent episode of the YSN podcast, Cardinal Mooney’s star catcher Trent Litman shared insights into his baseball journey, offering an inspiring look at his dedication and growth. Known on YSN as “The Fireman” for his consistent offensive prowess, Litman detailed his progression from a backup for the junior varsity team to a key varsity player making significant impacts on the field.

During the podcast, co-host DJ Yokley and Anthony Hartwig delved into Litman’s development. Litman credited his mentors, including Ian Francis and Will Petty, for elevating his skills, particularly in catching—a role he only recently took on. This guidance has helped him maintain a confident mindset at bat and manage the pressures of a competitive schedule filled with formidable opponents like Hoban and St. Ed’s.

The discussion also highlighted Litman’s leadership, as he embraces his role in guiding a predominantly young team. With aspirations for college baseball, Litman has committed to Garrett College, choosing the junior college route to maximize his potential amidst the flux of transfer portals.

Baseball runs deep in the Litman family, and this passion fuels Trent’s pursuit of excellence. His ultimate goal is to progress to a major university and potentially a professional baseball career while establishing roots in business inspired by his father.

As he embarks on his senior year, Litman’s journey promises more memorable moments, whether through hitting home runs or outsmarting opponents as a catcher. Fans of Cardinal Mooney baseball can certainly expect thrilling performances from “The Fireman” this season.

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KNIGHTS HAVE A DAY

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MENTOR OH- Kyia Rankin was locked in at the plate Saturday, going 3-for-4 to help Hoban take down Steele, 6-2.

Rankin set the tone early with a double in the first, followed by singles in the second and sixth. She wasn’t the only one swinging it—Hoban racked up 13 hits in the win.

The Knights got rolling in the first with a Madison Shenigo RBI single, then added two more in the second on back-to-back ropes down the left field line by Gracelyn Schultz and Rankin. Schultz came through again in the third, battling through a nine-pitch at-bat before ripping another RBI knock.

Alivia Havanas handled business in the circle, going the distance. She scattered five hits and two runs over seven innings, walked one, and struck out two to get the W.

Schultz finished with a pair of hits and three RBIs from the eight-hole, and Savannah Regan chipped in with a 2-for-4 day. Hoban just kept applying pressure.

Steele made some noise with five different hitters picking up a knock, and Briana Blankenship drove in a run. They also turned a double play and played a clean game defensively—no errors and solid work behind the glove.

Hoban’s back in action next Saturday with a road trip to Mentor.