TIGERS CLAW PAST GIRARD

HOWLAND, OH- Both squads brought their A-game to the mound on Friday, but Howland Tigers edged out Girard 3-1 in a tight contest.

Brendan Ray took the hill for Howland and went the distance, chalking up 21 outs. Girard initially broke through in the fourth inning after a wild pitch allowed them to score.

The Tigers roared back in the bottom half of the same inning, taking the lead for good at 3-1. Terry Werner kicked off the rally with a clutch single, Isaiah Burgess grounded out to send a runner home, and Anthony Marimpietri added a key RBI single.

Ray was stellar, bagging the win by holding Girard to just one unearned run on five hits while striking out nine over seven innings. Jaden Royal absorbed the loss for Girard, giving up three runs across six innings, managing only one strikeout and handing out four walks.

The Tigers showcased some solid hitting, with Luca Fronzaglio, Brayden Kovarik, Marimpietri, Ray, and Werner each bagging a hit. Marimpietri, Werner, and Burgess each notched an RBI. Defensively, Howland was on point, turning two double plays to stifle any Girard rallies.

For Girard, leadoff hitter Will Hynes was the bright spot, going 3-for-4 and swiping two bases, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback. Camron Herrick was a standout in the field, getting involved in three key plays.

Howland looks to keep the momentum rolling as they head to Austintown-Fitch on Monday.