WEST BRANCH WINS OFFENSIVE SHOWCASE OVER MINERVA

BELOIT, OH- Sydney Mercer came to the ballpark and meant business on Thursday, tallying four hits and leading West Branch to an 18-10 win over Minerva. Mercer singled in the second, doubled in the third, singled in the fourth, and doubled in the sixth.

An early lead helped propel the Lady Warriors to victory. West Branch scored on a single by Ryley Pittman in the first inning, a double by Addi Craven in the first inning, a single by Mati Hawk in the first inning, a single by Mercer in the second inning, a single by Pittman in the second inning, and a double by Tori McKay in the second inning.

West Branch pulled away for good with four runs in the second inning. In the second Mercer singled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs, Pittman singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run, and McKay doubled on a 0-2 count, scoring one run.

The Lady Warriors tallied five runs in the sixth inning. Mercer, Pittman, and Skyler Greeneisen powered the big inning with RBIs.

McKay led things off on the rubber for West Branch. McKay surrendered five runs on six hits over three innings, walking one.

Cress was on the rubber for Minerva. The hurler allowed 11 hits and nine runs over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking one. Murray and Lucas entered the game as relief, throwing three and two-thirds innings and two-thirds of an inning respectively.

West Branch smacked one home run on the day. Greeneisen had a four-bagger in the sixth inning.

The Green Machine had 24 hits. Pittman, Josie Milliken, Mercer, Hawk, Ragan Greeneisen, Craven, Greeneisen, and McKay each collected multiple hits for West Branch. Pittman went 5-for-5 at the plate to lead the victors.

Minerva racked up 17 hits on the day. Brunner, Shafer, Klingensmith, Cress, Murray, and Hillard each racked up multiple hits for Minerva.