MAC/SVC SOFTBALL Howland edges Salem, 3-2; Poland, Canfield stay perfect

The Tigers scored the winning run in the ninth on a passed ball.
HOWLAND -- Jackie Hill scored a run on a passed ball in the bottom of the ninth inning as Howland outlasted Salem, 3-2, in a Metro Athletic Conference softball game Wednesday.
Freshman Abby Nicholas (4-1) got the win after relieving Ali Meyers after five innings with the score tied, 2-2. Nicholas allowed one hit in the final four innings.
Meyers allowed two hits through the first five innings for Howland (9-1, 3-1 MAC).
Brittany Gregory took the mound loss for Salem (4-4, 2-3 MAC) . She also went the distance with a six-hitter and five strikeouts.
Carly Sabat had double and single for Howland.
Abi Seguin had two-run single for Salem.
Poland 15, Campbell 0
CAMPBELL -- Allie Patton tossed a five-inning one-hitter that included 10 strikeouts and two walks for Poland (7-0, 3-0) in a MAC game at Roosevelt Park.
Amanda Gittings had four RBIs on three hits, including a double, while Allyson Kennedy had two singles, three RBIs and two runs scored, and Jenna Susany a double and two singles and two RBIs and three runs scored.
Senior Victoria Steiner had the lone hit -- a single in the fourth inning -- for Campbell (2-6, 0-4). The Red Devils committed six errors.
Canfield 11, Struthers 0
STRUTHERS -- Tricia Bettura pitched a one-hitter over six innings, striking out six and walking two, in a MAC game.
Melissa West had two hits, including a home run, scored twice and drove in three runs for Canfield (5-0, 3-0 MAC). Bettura also had three hits and scored twice, Lauren Sulick had three hits, including a homer, and Jena Ervin and Rachel Melewski each had two hits.
Niles 16, East Liverpool 0
EAST LIVERPOOL -- Erin Armstrong gave up three hits in five innings, striking out seven, to lead Niles.
Kelsy Mikesell had two hits, while Kelly Leonard, Stephanie Taneyhill and Ashley Rios each had two RBIs for Niles (7-4-1).
Mooney 17, Mineral Ridge 0
MINERAL RIDGE -- Freshman Kelcie Herberger pitched a one-hitter and was backed by a 16-hit attack to lead Cardinal Mooney (8-2).
Sarah Pelini had a double, two singles and four RBIs to pace Mooney, while Katie Hughes had triple and two singles and three RBIs.
Mara Palombaro socked a two-run homer while Gina Fabian added two singles to bolster the Cardinals.
January Golden's single was the only hit for Mineral Ridge (3-6).
Ursuline 15, Beaver Local 6
LISBON -- Vannessa Dickson hit for the cycle while Jessica Yarab had a double and three singles for Ursuline (7-4, 2-2 Steel Valley Conference).
Dickson scored three times and finished with three RBIs.
Also, Natalie Palermo had two hits including a home run while Mary Hendricks and Angelina Joseph both had two singles.
Dorris had two hits including a home run for Beaver Local (7-6, 1-1).