Tag Archive for: Ohio baseball

WARRIORS HANDLE BUSINESS; SHUT DOWN SALEM

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SALEM, OH- West Branch stayed in control Wednesday night and knocked off rival Salem 6-2 in a steady all-around performance.

Salem struck first with a bases-loaded walk in the opening frame, but West Branch didn’t blink. Carson Wike roped a shot down the line to tie it up in the second, then the Warriors blew the game open in the fourth. Grady Close and Anthony Perry came up clutch with RBI singles, helping West Branch hang a four-spot and flip the momentum for good.

Wike got it done on the bump too, tossing five strong innings. He gave up just one hit and one earned while working around four walks. Dominic Fotheringham came in to slam the door with two clean innings of relief.

Offensively, Perry led the charge with two knocks, and Drake Stryffeler was chaos on the basepaths, swiping three bags. The Warriors worked six free passes and stole five bases total, putting constant pressure on Salem’s defense.

The Quakers couldn’t get much going at the plate—Ben Kuboff, Keegan Sommers, and Derek Oesch each had a hit, but the bats never found a rhythm.

West Branch is back in action Thursday, hitting the road to face Carrollton.

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SALEM CANT FIND THEIR FOOTING

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SALEM OH-  Salem ran into trouble Saturday and couldn’t dig out, falling to Massillon Perry 12-1 after an eight-run explosion in the fourth inning flipped the game on its head.

Perry got on the board early, taking advantage of a dropped third strike and a groundout to plate two in the top of the first. They tacked on two more in the third with a double and a fielder’s choice to make it 4-0.

Then came the fourth. Salem couldn’t stop the bleeding as Perry strung together three hits, mixed in a few freebies, and took full advantage of a couple defensive miscues. When the dust settled, eight runs had crossed the plate, and the Quakers were suddenly staring down a 12-0 hole.

Salem got one back in the bottom half thanks to a Colin Riesen RBI, and Bairon Exline chipped in a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate, but it wasn’t nearly enough to close the gap.

Braydon Van Dyne got the start and battled through 3.2 innings, striking out three but running into trouble in that big fourth frame. On the flip side, Perry’s starter went the full five innings, holding Salem to just one run on four hits without a walk.

Perry finished with nine hits and played clean defense, while also swiping four bags on the basepaths. The Quakers now regroup and look ahead to a road trip to Girard on Monday.

CRESTVIEW BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER WITH TODD KIBBY (FEATURING GARY KNITTLE 4-10-25)

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COLUMBIANA, OH- In a recent episode of YSN’s “Crestview Baseball Coach’s Corner,” hosts DJ Yokley and Anthony Hartwig welcomed two prominent figures from the Crestview Rebels, Head Coach Todd Kibby and Assistant Coach Gary Knittle. The episode was a mix of reminiscing, sharing insights, and candid discussions about the realities of coaching baseball in unpredictable weather conditions.

Right from the start, Coach Todd Kibby expressed a sentiment that many coaches in the area would resonate with. “Good,” he replied when asked about his current state, “Just be nice if the weather would break and we could play some consistent baseball adventure every day.” This longing for stable weather was a recurring theme throughout the conversation, reflecting the challenges coaches face in keeping their teams engaged when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.

Assistant Coach Gary Knittle mirrored Kibby’s sentiments, “As Coach Kibby said, I think we’d rather be outside and see a little bit of sun, but I guess we’ll settle for this.” Despite these challenges, both coaches demonstrated an optimistic outlook and a commitment to nurturing local talent. Knittle highlighted the significance of the talent pool in the area, recalling the past achievements and the continuing journey of local players. “You mentioned the local talent, and we get asked all the time. There’s a lot of talent in this area, and, you know, and we’re very fortunate.”

The conversation also delved into the dynamics of keeping a team motivated when weather and schedules disrupt regular play. According to Kibby, “Keeping the guys with their task on hand, especially with us, where we have a good mixture of young guys, but getting them that exposure and that experience out of the gate is hard.” It’s a delicate balance of managing practice, ensuring readiness, and building resilience.

Knittle’s transition from retirement back to coaching was another key highlight. “He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I mean, it’s pretty simple. It’s like the Godfather,” he chuckled, describing his return to the fold under Coach Kibby. This camaraderie and shared history between the coaches evidently strengthen their team’s foundation.

The episode was not just an insight into Crestview Baseball but also a reflection on the commitment and passion these coaches bring to their roles despite frequent obstacles. As Kibby aptly summarized, “Every day is a new adventure… It’s done. Nothing else you can do.” For listeners and aspiring coaches, the episode stands as a testament to perseverance and adaptability.

 

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EAGLES FLY OVER EP IN PITCHERS DUEL

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HANOVERTON, OH— Despite a stellar outing from Cale Moraski, the East Palestine Bulldogs came up just short on Monday, falling 2-0 to United in a tight, low-scoring battle.

Moraski was dominant on the hill, striking out 11 batters and allowing just five hits and two runs over six innings without issuing a walk. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, two early unearned runs in the first inning — both coming off an error — proved to be the difference.

United’s Parker Newburn was just as impressive, going the distance and tossing a complete-game shutout. The righty allowed only two hits, walked two, and struck out 16 to earn the win.

Phoenix Marvin and Kyler Bourne each collected a hit for East Palestine, but the Bulldogs couldn’t string together enough offense to break through.

Offensively for United, Jackson drove in both runs, while Pratt and Schonauer each picked up two hits. United played clean defensively, committing no errors, with Swanson leading the way with 17 putouts behind the plate.

East Palestine will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they host United in a rematch.

JFK BATS WARM THINGS UP AGAINST GENEVA

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GENEVA, OH — Behind a dominant performance from Freddy Bolchalk and a hot bat from Landon Snyder, the John F. Kennedy Catholic Eagles rolled to a 10-0 shutout victory over Geneva on Friday.

Snyder had a day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and two singles, while Bolchalk was untouchable on the mound. The right-hander struck out 10 batters, allowing just one hit and no walks over five shutout innings to earn the win.

The Eagles jumped ahead early in the first thanks to an RBI double from Dom Ryan, then added three more in the second, aided by a Geneva error and an RBI single from Taggart Carfangia.

JFK stayed hot in the third, with Snyder roping a double to left to plate one, and Trevin Rinck following with an RBI single to center to make it 6-0.

The Eagles racked up 10 hits in the game, with Rinck going 2-for-2, and Andrew Lapolla showing patience at the plate with three walks. JFK drew seven walks as a team, staying disciplined and applying constant pressure.

Geneva’s Ryland Besco took the loss, giving up six runs (three earned) on six hits over three innings.

The win improves JFK’s record to 3-1, and they’ll be back in action Saturday against Crestview.

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.

NILES TORCHES THE BLUE DEVILS

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NILES, OH — AJ Yost couldn’t be stopped at the plate Friday, going a perfect 4-for-4 to lead the Niles McKinley Red Dragons to an 8-3 win over McDonald.

Yost wasted no time setting the tone, singling in the first, driving in a run in the second, and adding a pair of doubles in the fifth and sixth innings. He also swiped two bases and sparked a Red Dragons offense that piled up 12 hits and five stolen bases on the day.

Niles got on the board early with a sac fly from Brian Parsons Jr. in the first. The lead grew in the second after back-to-back RBI singles from Andrew Strader and Yost made it 3-0.

McDonald rallied to tie it at 3-3 in the fifth, highlighted by an RBI single from Nick Larson, but the Red Dragons wasted no time responding. In the bottom half, Brixton Gilmour broke the tie with a sac fly, Anthony Mymo followed with an RBI single, and a defensive miscue added a third run to make it 6-3.

Connor Duncan earned the win on the hill for Niles, tossing six innings and giving up five hits and three runs (two earned) while walking four. Joseph Lehman closed the door in the seventh with a dominant inning of relief, striking out three.

Parsons Jr. also had a big day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs, while Mymo and Brady Court each recorded multiple hits.

Larson and Brady Shobel knocked in runs for McDonald, and Nate Metzinger showed great plate discipline with three walks. McDonald drew six walks in total and turned one double play on defense.

Niles improves to 2-1 on the season and will hit the road Monday for a big matchup at South Range.

NDCL SERVES UP PROBLEMS FOR FITCH

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AUSTINTOWN, OH — A fifth-inning grand slam from Cian O’Boyle broke things wide open Friday as Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (NDCL) pulled away from Austintown-Fitch, handing the Falcons a 9-2 loss.

Fitch struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Jackson Cheeks ripped an RBI single to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. But that would be all the early offense Fitch could muster as NDCL tied it up in the fourth with a Gavin Palchick groundout.

Then came the turning point.

In the top of the fifth, NDCL exploded for five runs on four hits, highlighted by O’Boyle’s grand slam to center, shifting the momentum and putting the game out of reach. NDCL added insurance runs late to seal the win.

McCord earned the victory for NDCL, tossing 4.1 innings and giving up six hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out four. Zac Zabosky took the loss for Fitch despite a solid outing, striking out six over 4.2 innings and allowing just three runs on five hits.

Both teams finished with 10 hits, but NDCL made theirs count.

O’Boyle led the charge with four RBIs and went 2-for-4, while Frankie Clark, Lucas Marlowe, and Charlie O’Dale each added two hits. O’Dale also swiped two bases as NDCL finished with four steals and turned a double play on defense.

For Fitch, Carter Owens, Cheeks, and Landyn Myers each collected two hits. Cheeks also drove in a run and had a multi-hit performance, while the Falcons flashed the leather with two double plays of their own.

Fitch will look to bounce back on Monday when they travel to face rival Boardman.

 

RANGE OUTHITS DUKES; MARLINGTON MAKES THEIRS COUNT

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CANFIELD, OH — Despite outhitting Marlington 8-2, the South Range Raiders couldn’t convert opportunities into runs and fell 6-2 at home on Friday.

South Range jumped out to an early lead in the first when Gaven Nagy drove in a run with a groundout. The Raiders threatened early and often, but Marlington’s pitching and timely defense kept them from breaking the game open.

Marlington tied it in the fourth on a Garett Dillon liner that brought in a run, and then took control in the sixth. Dillon came through again with a two-run double to break the tie, and Cole Jones followed with a bases-loaded walk to make it 4-1. The Dukes tacked on two more in the seventh to seal it.

South Range starter Julian Tranovich was sharp, tossing 5.1 innings of no-hit ball before handing things over to the bullpen. He allowed just two runs (one earned), striking out three and walking three. Brennen Klasovsky took the loss in relief after issuing four walks and giving up two runs in one-third of an inning.

Offensively, Lincoln Cleevely led the Raiders with two hits, while Nagy and Nico Papuga each tallied an RBI. South Range stayed aggressive on the bases, swiping six bags, with Cleevely and Dylan Smesko collecting multiple steals.

Marlington’s Dylan Heatherington picked up the win, tossing four innings and giving up one run on five hits. Sam Yoder started the game and kept South Range quiet through the first three innings, striking out four.

Dillon led the way for Marlington at the plate with three RBIs, while Brady Keller added a hit and a run scored. The Dukes made the most of their patience, drawing nine walks as a team and stealing four bases. Defensively, they were perfect—no errors—and Logan Smith led with seven putouts.

South Range will look to bounce back on Monday when they host Niles.

 

CANFIELD PITCHING DOMINATES MOONEY BATS

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CANFIELD, OH-— The Canfield Cardinals took care of business at home Friday, riding a strong start from Anthony Groner and timely hitting to a 7-2 win over the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals.

Canfield got on the board early after a wild pitch plated the first run in the bottom of the first. They kept the momentum going in the second with a Jake Dovich double, followed by RBI singles from Zain Jadallah and Groner, stretching the lead and putting pressure on Mooney’s pitching staff.

Groner did it all, not only delivering at the plate with 2 RBIs, but also earning the win on the mound. He threw five shutout innings, giving up just one hit while striking out eight and walking three. Sean Harrington came in to shut the door with a clean inning of relief.

Jadallah matched Groner with two RBIs, and Bobby Levonyak led Canfield’s patient approach at the plate, drawing three of the team’s eight walks.

Mooney’s Ryan Reese picked up the lone hit in the loss, while the defense held strong with zero errors. Trent Litman led the way defensively with seven putouts.

Canfield improves to 2-0 on the season and will hit the road Saturday for a non-conference matchup against Canton Central Catholic.