Poland holds off Struthers to claim 5-4 sectional win

POLAND — Poland High jumped out to a 5-0 lead then held on, to defeat Metro Athletic Conference rival Struthers, 5-4, in a Division II softball tournament game Thursday.

Liz Maher allowed three hits before Jordan Palumbo pitched 22‚Ñ3 innings to get the save for the Bulldogs, whose second baseman, Nicole White, was busy defensively.

Allie Patton and Liz Maher both doubled, while Jenna Medina had two hits for Poland (19-7), which advanced to the Jefferson district to play the Edgewood-Geneva winner Tuesday at the JAGS Complex.

Also for Poland, Maher’s double knocked in two runs, Jenna Barnhart had a two-run single and Patton and Medina both scored two runs.

Ashley Baron had a two-run double for Struthers, which split with Poland during the regular season.

Jefferson 2, Lakeview 1

JEFFERSON — Jefferson scored in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 deadlock and eliminate Lakeview in the Division II sectional final.

The Bulldogs (13-7) scored their only run in the second inning on a home run by Alexis Sidley. Abbey Bensing tossed a four-hitter in a losing cause, while Jessica Downs added two hits.

Southeast 8, Marlington 1

RAVENNA — Shannon Hamilton pitched a three-hitter and struck out nine as Southeast toppled Marlington in a Div. II game.

Ali Austin, Tricia Williams, Lindsay Speidel and Danielle Kaley all had three hits each for the Pirates, who had 13 hits in the game. Austin had a pair of doubles.

Boardman 11, Chaney 1

BOARDMAN — Senior Kelsey Ford (8-7) pitched a one-hitter with seven strikeouts to pick up the win for the Spartans in the Div. I sectional game at the Fields of Dreams.

The Spartans (14-9) , leading 6-1, scored five times to end it in the bottom of the fifth inning as Sarah Maxwell, Brook Meenachan and Erin Schafer eached singled home a run. Jamie Massaro hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and she also singled. Meenachan collected three singles and scored twice. Lizzie Padgitt hit two singles and drove in a run.

Jessica Gavin singled and scored the only run for the Cowboys in the second inning.

The Spartans will entertain North Canton Hoover in a regular season game today at 5 p.m. at the Fields of Dreams and will then host a Division I district semifinal game at the Fields of Dreams Monday at 4:30 p.m.

LaBrae 11, Maplewood 7

CORTLAND — The Vikings (11-12), in winning a first-round Div. III game, won for the seventh straight time as senior Amanda Witherow (2-0) scattered eight hits to pick up the win. Angelica Pugh hit two singles and scored twice. Erica Stratakis hit a pair of singles and scored twice. Emily Potter hit a double, single and drove in three runs. Chelsie Hartman and Bayle Boggs hit a pair of singles apiece.

Amanda Peski of the Rockets hit two singles and scored twice.

Ursuline 8, Girard 0

GIRARD — Sophomore Casey Lower had a nine-strikeout, three-hitter and Jessica Yarab had a home run, double and single for three RBIs for Ursuline (17-6) in a Div. III game at Tod Park.

Anna Donko had three singles and an RBI and scored twice and Rebecca Hartz had three singles and scored once for the Irish.

Kasey Foley and Mary Alexander each added two hits for the winners, who play Lisbon next Wednesday in the North Lima district.

For Girard (6-14), Kristin Helle had two hits and Melissa Weitzman added a single.

Springfield 9, United 4

HANOVERTON — Erica Burkey (11-8) pitched a seven-hitter with 10 strikeouts while Shala Maldonado had two singles and two RBIs to lead Springfield (13-10) in a Div. III game.

Andria Lyons and Ashley Davis each added two singles and one RBI for Springfield.

For United (22-4), Stephanie Richards had two singles and three RBIs and Alisha Syx two singles.

Jackson-Milton 6, Lowellville 3

NORTH JACKSON — Sophomore Lyndsey Knipp’s walk-off home run scored Cat Keck and Chelsea DeBolt to win the Div. IV game in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Jackson-Milton trailed, 3-2, entering the inning before DeBolt’s single scored Taylor Dugan to tie the score, 3-3, with one out.

Knipp (7-14) had 10 strikeouts and no walks.

In addition to her three-RBI hit, Knipp also had a double and single, while sophomore Keck had three hits, including a two-run homer in the first inning.

DeBolt also had another hit, a single for the Bluejays (7-14).

Cori Pavlicko had a double and two singles, while Kayla Maszczak had two hits for Lowellville.

Today, Jackson-Milton plays at McDonald at 4:30 with the winner advancing to the Cortland district.

Warren JFK 17, Youngstown Christian 0

YOUNGSTOWN — Junior Morgan Piacquadio pitched a five-inning no-hitter and struckout 12 as Warren JFK rolled easily in its Div. IV sectional opener.

The Eagles had 25 hits in five innings led by Alex Raeburn with five, while Ali Rossi and Jackie Kolovich each had three. Rachael Ratcliffe had a homer for the Eagles (15-4) who will play at Lordstown today.