Pope’s homer lifts Rockets, 5-3

Springfield, Ursuline and East Palestine won easily.

STRUTHERS — Tony Pope hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning Wednesday to lead the Lowellville High baseball team to a 5-3 Division IV tournament victory over Columbiana at Cene Park.

The Clippers (11-11), who had 14 hits, stranded 15 baserunners. Winning pitch Dante Abbas (5-2) came on in the fifth inning with nobody out, the bases loaded and a 1-2 count on the batter. He picked up a groundball and threw to home to start a double play.

Columbiana’s next batter grounded out to first base.

Tyler Demeade hit three singles and scored once for the Clippers.

Lowellville (18-6) will meet the winner of the McDonald-Jackson-Milton game in a district semifinal Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at Cene Park.

Springfield 16, Leetonia 6

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Winning pitcher Todd Kibby (7-1) struck out 11 batters and walked five in the four innings he pitched.

Kibby hit two doubles to drive in four runs. He also scored twice for the Tigers (21-5).

Travis Richey drove in two runs while Bryan Visingardi’s two hits included a double to drive in two runners.

For the Bears, Lance Tullis hit a RBI triple while Andrew Ryan had a two-run single.

Springfield’s next tournament game will be Tuesday against the Mathews-Youngstown Christian winner.

Division III

Ursuline 12, Grand Valley 0

STRUTHERS — Robert Switka (5-0) tossed a five-inning one-hitter for the Irish (18-5), striking out nine and walking none.

Wade Daniels hit a two-run triple and Mark Lapikas had a RBI triple. Dan Baco’s two hits included a two-run triple.

Also with two hits were Joe Wielbrude and Daniels.

For Grand Valley (8-16), Zach Sirrine broke up the no-hitter with a one-out single in the fifth inning.

Ursuline advances to play the winner of today’s Campbell-Crestview game on Monday at Cene Park.

East Palestine 10, United 0

EAST PALESTINE — Winning pitcher Kevin Baiamonte (7-1) tossed a five-inning one-hitter, striking out eight for East Palestine (16-6).

Taylor Snyder led the Bulldogs’ offense with three hits including a triple. He drove in three runs.

Pat Buckley had three hits while Nick Dicello had two. The Bulldogs will play the Girard-Pymatuning Valley winner in next’s week’s district game.

Jimmy Phillis had United’s hit.

Regular season

Western Reserve 12, Southern 1

SALINEVILLE — Winning pitcher Eric Kennehan tossed a three-hitter, striking out five batters. He had two hits as did Jake Barker who drove in four runs.

Tuesday

Howland 18, Girard 12

STRUTHERS — Josh Kostraba had two doubles and four RBIs for the Tigers (12-12).

Matt Schultz had two doubles, one single and three RBIs. Matt Preston had a double, two singles and three RBIs to spearhead Howland’s 19-hit attack.

Girard (15-9) was led by Marty Brinker with three singles and one RBI.