Rutushin strikes out 21 as McDonald wins pitching battle

McDONALD — Sophomore Kaitlin Rutushin struck out a school-record 21 batters over 10 innings without surrendering a walk, tossing a two-hit shutout to lead the McDonald High softball team to a 1-0 victory over South Range on Thursday.

With one out in the bottom of the 10th, Sarah Ingalls singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kirsten Tayala. Andrea Robison, who had two hits on the day, followed with a single to right-center for the game-winner for McDonald (6-0).

Rutushin (6-0) carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before South Range freshman Madison Yanek singled.

Yanek had a perfect game going into the sixth before yielding a single to Kassie Garland. The Raiders are 3-3.

Springfield 9, Girard 2

GIRARD — The Tigers scored two runs in the first inning, four in the fourth and two in the fifth in cruising to victory. Rebecca Evan hit a double, a single, drove in two runs and scored twice for the Tigers, while Ashley Davis doubled, singled and drove in three runs. Erica Burkey (1-0) worked five innings with eight strikeouts to pick up the win.

Columbiana 5, Salem 4

SALEM — Although the Quakers (0-4) out-hit the Clippers, 11-6, they weren’t able to catch up. Alexis Wyatt hit a pair of singles and drove in two runs for Columbiana (5-3). Leah Minnamyer hit a solo home run for Salem in the fourth inning, while Bridgett Szbate and Jesse Dillon each hit two singles.

Jackson-Milton 9, Lowellville 5

LOWELLVILLE — Jackson-Milton scored three runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to break open a close game.

The Bluejays (1-5, 1-4 ITCL) led 3-0 entering the sixth inning.

Cori Pavlicko had 12 strikeouts, two singles and a two-run double for Lowellville.

Ashley Harkleroad added two singles and Kayla Masczcak had two RBIs for the Rockets (4-2, 3-2).

Boardman 6, Fitch 5

AUSTINTOWN — Shannon Morrow had a home run, double and single and drove in three runs to lead Boardman, which survived a seventh-inning rally by Fitch in a Federal League softball game.

In less than an inning of relief in the bottom of the seventh, Morrow helped shut down the Falcons (4-2, 1-1), although starter Kelsey Ford (3-1) got the win.

Ford and Lizzie Padgitt each doubled for the Spartans (3-1, 1-1), who led 6-0 after five innings.

Stephanie Berdis singled twice, while Kate Ferree singled and drove in a run for Fitch, which scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Mooney 14, Mathews 0

BOARDMAN — Freshman Jamie Clausen had a home run and double for two RBIs for Mooney (5-0).

Also for the Cardinals, Krissy Cormell had two singles, a double and scored three times, Kristen Stahl had a single and double and two RBIs and Macy Ucchino had a two-run double.

Kelcie Herberger gave up three hits over five innings.

Mathews is 0-3.

Campbell 12, East 2

CAMPBELL — Junior Erica Melnik had a seven-strikeout no-hitter over five innings for Campbell (1-3).

Of Campbell’s 16 hits, Melnik had three hits, Jamie Dolan and three hits and an RBI, Karyssa Opencar had two hits and two RBIs, Bianca Koup had two hits, Kaylynn Flowers had two hits and knocked in three runs, Tiffany Colon had two hits and an RBI and Jennifer Bednarik tripled.

Cindy Rojas and Saylove Tutwiler scored for East.

Warren JFK 5, Py. Valley 0

ANDOVER — Rachel Pico threw a four-hit shutout, striking out 11 and walking one, for the Eagles. Kim Sylvester hit a two-run homer and Alex Raeburn had two hits for JFK (5-1).

Jen Dibell had two hits for Py. Valley.

Howland 13, Niles 1

NILES — Melanie Cope (1-1) struck out six and walked six, tossing a five-inning no-hitter for Howland (2-3, 1-1 MAC). Abby Nicholas, Katie Peoples and Jena Debiac each had two hits, while Casey Haering had two RBIs.

Niles is 3-3, 2-1.

Lakeview 7, LaBrae 0

CORTLAND — Freshman Mackenzie Palette struck out 14 and walked four, tossing a no-hitter to lead Lakeview (4-1, 4-1 TAC). Lex Fidley went 4-for-4 with a triple and Jessica Downs had three hits. Brigitte Morvay, Angela DiCesare, Joanna Novotny and Raelynn Burns each had two hits. Burns also had two RBIs. LaBrae is 2-4, 1-4.

Liberty 9, Hubbard 1

LIBERTY — Alison House was the winning pitcher and she hit a triple for Liberty (2-2, 1-2 TAC).

Melissa Dykes had a triple and single for the Leopards, and drove in two runs. Kacey Kurtz and Katie Greaf had two RBIs each. Greaf’s two-run single highlighted a five-run first inning for Liberty.

Southeast 7, Streetsboro 0

STREETSBORO — Shannon Hamilton (4-0) scattered two hits, leading the unbeaten Pirates to the victory over Streetsboro (2-3). Ali Austin and Jess Hess each hit a double.

Newton Falls 4, Girard 0

NEWTON FALLS — Ashley Lemmon pitched a one-hitter for the Tigers Tuesday. Lemmon struck out 11.

Stephanie Blair had two hits for Newton Falls and Jasmine Hawkins had two RBIs.

Kristin Helle had Girard’s only hit.