Tag Archive for: WPIAL

WARRIORS BLANK SHENANGO

BESSEMER, PA- The Mohawk Warriors cruised to a smooth 7-0 victory over Shenango on Tuesday, showcasing some sharp plays and strong pitching.

Right from the start, the Warriors made their intentions clear. In the bottom of the first, Aidan Bowser ripped a single that brought in two runs. Then Joe Campoli got Mason Hopper to ground into a fielder’s choice, which somehow squeezed another run across the plate.

The Warriors didn’t let up. In the second inning, A.J. Verdi lifted a sacrifice fly to tack on another run. By the third, J.J. Nail executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, and Keigan Hopper followed up with a single, each adding to the scoreline, cementing the Warriors’ early lead.

On the mound, Briar Crawford was nearly untouchable, throwing six innings of one-hit ball, striking out five while navigating around five walks. That stellar performance notched him the win. For Shenango, Campoli shouldered the loss after giving up six runs over three innings.

Drew Wrona came on in relief for the Warriors and kept the shutout intact, allowing just one hit in his inning of work.

At the dish, Bowser was the main man, driving in two runs and picking up a hit. The Warriors’ lineup had everyone chipping in, with Bobby Fadden, Jackson Chapman, both Hoppers, Verdi, and Wrona each collecting hits.

Shenango tried to muster some offense, with Jimmy Roe and Campoli each snagging a hit, but they couldn’t crack the Warriors’ defense, which also turned a double play to snuff out any potential rallies.

Up next, the Warriors are set to host Blackhawk on Thursday, aiming to keep their momentum rolling with the same mix of tight pitching and timely hitting.

SEBEK’S WALKOFF SEALS BOBCAT VICTORY

BEAVER, PA- The Beaver Bobcats snatched a thrilling 6-5 walk-off victory over Blackhawk on Tuesday, capped by a clutch hit from RJ Sebek in the bottom of the eighth inning. The game, knotted at five, saw Sebek drive in the winning run with a decisive single.

The scoring started early for Beaver, with Maddox Tanner launching a two-run homer to center field in the first inning. But Blackhawk wasn’t down for long. They swung the momentum in their favor in the fifth when Dylan Smith blasted a grand slam to left field, putting them up 4-2.

Despite facing a deficit, the Bobcats clawed back into the game. An error by Blackhawk in the sixth allowed Beaver to tie things up at four. The seesaw battle continued into the eighth, with Blackhawk momentarily regaining the lead, thanks to Tyler Kisling inducing a fielder’s choice from Saliba that brought a run home.

Not to be outdone, the Bobcats fought back in the same inning. Tanner and Sebek each delivered a run-scoring single, turning the tables and setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

Kisling, who played a pivotal role in the eighth, earned the win for Beaver. Over two innings of work, he gave up one run and three hits while striking out two. On the flip side, Stephen Kanally shouldered the loss for Blackhawk, giving up two runs on three hits in his two innings on the mound.

Beaver’s pitchers held their own throughout the game. Corbin Sevcik started strong, allowing no runs and just one hit over two innings. Josh Derringer also contributed with two solid innings of relief, keeping Blackhawk at bay.

At the plate, Beaver was formidable, racking up 11 hits. Tanner was particularly impactful, driving in three runs and going 2-for-5. Sebek led the team in hits, going 3-for-4, while Brady Mayo also added two hits.

The Bobcats showed great discipline, drawing seven walks, with Ty Butler and Kisling each walking twice. Defensively, they were flawless, not committing a single error, with Kisling also leading with five defensive chances.

For Blackhawk, Smith was the standout, driving in four runs on a 3-for-4 hitting performance. Owen Kiester also had a multi-hit game, adding two hits.

WARRIORS CLIP ELLWOOD CITY

ELLWOOD CITY, PA- In a game that unfolded under a clear blue sky, the Mohawk Warriors claimed a solid victory over Ellwood City with a 6-1 scoreline on Monday. The game saw a display of strategic play and strong pitching from the Warriors that ultimately left the home team struggling to find their rhythm.

The game began quietly with both teams held scoreless in the first inning. Ellwood City briefly took the lead in the second inning thanks to a double by Roth, who later scored, but that would be the only time they’d see home plate. The Warriors, unshaken by their slow start, found their stride in the fourth inning, unleashing a burst of energy that would see them take control of the game.

Vince Pezzuolo, starting pitcher for the Warriors, threw a solid five innings, allowing only one run and striking two out, showcasing both control and stamina. His performance on the mound was backed by a cohesive defensive display, keeping the Ellwood errors to a minimum.

The turning point came in the fourth inning when the Warriors loaded the bases and Jackson Chapman hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the first run. This sparked a series of strategic hits and base running that saw two more runs come in, giving the Warriors a lead they would not relinquish. Keigan Hopper’s double was a highlight, driving in two crucial runs and demonstrating the depth of the Warriors’ batting lineup.

Mohawk Area continued to build on their lead with one run in the fifth and two more in the sixth, courtesy of smart base running and solid hits by the A&J Connection: JJ Nail and AJ Verdi, who together knocked in three of the six runs. Despite Ellwood City’s best efforts to rally, the Warriors’ pitching held strong, with Chapman and Bobby Fadden closing out the game without giving up any further runs.

Ellwood City’s pitchers, led by Nardone, found themselves under constant pressure, struggling with control and ultimately yielding six runs from eight hits. Their day was characterized by a battle against both the Warriors’ bats and their own command on the mound.

As the game concluded, Mohawk celebrated a well-earned victory, demonstrating not just their skill but their ability to capitalize on crucial moments.

CENTRAL VALLEY SNEAKS PAST FITCH

AUSTINTOWN, OH- In a thrilling and high-scoring football showdown, the Central Valley Vikings clashed with the Austintown Fitch Falcons, with the Central Valley Vikings emerging as the victors in a nail-biting 36-35 final score. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with explosive plays and last-minute heroics- which was a perfect setting for the stage it was on.

The first quarter began with a strong statement from the Central Valley Vikings as Steven Rutherford, their quarterback, orchestrated an impressive 15-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown run by Rutherford himself. With 6 minutes and 20 seconds on the clock, Central Valley took the early lead at 7-0.

However, the Austintown Fitch Falcons quickly answered back with a dynamic play from Davion Pritchard, who returned a kick 86 yards for a touchdown. Despite the missed PAT, Fitch closed the gap to 7-6 with 6 minutes and 8 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

As the game progressed to the second quarter, DJ Williams of the Fitch Falcons showcased his skills with a 4-yard touchdown run at the 8-minute and 35-second mark, propelling Fitch into a 13-7 lead. The Falcons extended their advantage when Deon’Dray Richard executed a 35-yard touchdown run, widening the gap to 20-7 with 4 minutes and 47 seconds left in the quarter.

The third quarter saw a resurgence from the Central Valley Vikings. Jance Henry powered through for a 2-yard touchdown run, bringing Central Valley’s deficit to 20-14 with 7 minutes and 1 second remaining. DJ Williams of the Fitch Falcons continued to be a force to be reckoned with, scoring a 21-yard touchdown run and extending Fitch’s lead to 27-14 with just 1 minute and 40 seconds on the clock. However, Steven Rutherford of Central Valley responded with a 29-yard touchdown run as the quarter ended, narrowing the gap to 27-21.

The final quarter was an absolute thriller. DJ Williams of the Fitch Falcons struck again, this time with a 15-yard touchdown run followed by a successful 2-point pass to Allen Hill Jr. Fitch took a 35-21 lead with 8 minutes and 16 seconds left on the clock. Not to be outdone, Mason Dixon of the Central Valley Vikings sprinted for a 69-yard touchdown run, inching Central Valley closer at 35-28 with 7 minutes and 56 seconds remaining.

With the clock winding down, Steven Rutherford led a remarkable 17-play, 80-yard drive for the Central Valley Vikings. In the final 14 seconds of the game, Rutherford connected with Quinn Connolly for a 14-yard touchdown pass. A 2-point conversion run by Mason Dixon sealed the deal, propelling the Central Valley Vikings to a dramatic 36-35 victory.

Fitch drops to 1-1 and will take on Canton Glenoak next week.