TIGERS SILENCE THE COLUMBIANA BATS

By Joe Eusebio

HOWLAND OH- The Columbiana Clippers took headed north to battle the Howland Tigers on Saturday afternoon and ran into a talented freshman pitcher who helped the Tigers defeat the Clippers, 5-0.

The pitcher, Brayden Kovarik took a perfect game into the fifth inning, retiring 13 Columbiana batters in a row before Max Conway hit a ground single through the hole and into left field.  Hunter Davanzo hit one to the same spot in the sixth and those were the only hits the Clipper bats could muster against Kovarik, who went seven innings, striking out nine and walking one.

Kovarik had a big day at the plate as well, with two singles and an RBI.  Brendan Ray & Dominic Santee also had two hits apiece with Santee contributing two RBIs for the Tigers.  Sully O’Donnell also had a single and two RBIs.

For Columbiana (14-10, 10-0 EOAC), Avery Young took the loss going six innings, allowing eight hits and five runs with one walk and no strikeouts.  The Clippers return to action at East Palestine on Monday when they will attempt to clinch the EOAC championship after securing at least a tie for the league crown after defeating United on Wednesday.  Howland (10-8 overall) will host Salem on Monday.