Gabriel’s gem helps lead Poland into Grand Strand championship

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Poland freshman Erin Gabriel struck out a career-high 18 with one walk, tossing a two-hitter to lead the Bulldogs (8-1) past St. Mary’s Ryken 2-1 Thursday in a championship semifinal of the Grand Strand tournament.

Jessica D’Apolito had two hits, scored a run and drove in a run for the Bulldogs, who play in the No. 1 seed championship game at 9:30 a.m. today. Alexis Shields also had an RBI.

Erin Leddy had two hits for St. Mary’s (13-2), which hails from Leonardtown, Md.

Canfield 7, Howland 2

HOWLAND — Melanie West and Carlee Hart hit back-to-back homers in the third and Hart also doubled and drove in three to lead Canfield (5-2, 5-0 All-American Conference Red). Carlee Hart (1-1) struck out eight in a complete game victory. Gina Mancini went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

For Howland, Tori McCormick and Erika Nites doubled.

Hubbard 4, Salem 0

SALEM — A strong pitching performance by Heather Shadden and timely hits lifted the Eagles (3-2).

Shadden tossed a four-hitter with 15 strikeouts and a walk. Hubbard mustered only three hits — singles by Kathy Jugenheimer, Mandi Madeline and Paige Seech.

Jessie Dillon and Deanna Walker each had a triple for the Quakers (0-5).

Champion 16, Brookfield 0CHAMPION — Katie Saluga went 4-for-4 with two homers, a double and five RBIs for the Flashes, while Lindsay Swipas went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Tawny Rogers doubled and drove in two.

Morgan White pitched a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts and a walk for Champion (6-0, 3-0 AAC Blue).

Brittany Springs doubled for Brookfield (1-6, 0-3).

Jefferson 3, Lakeview 2

10 innings

JEFFERSON — Mackenzie Palette struck out 12 over eight innings and had two hits for Lakeview (1-5). Abby Bensing and Angela Farone each added two hits.

Hannah Francis had three hits and the game-winning RBI for Jefferson (2-1), while Rachel Francis had two hits.

Ursuline 4, Struthers 1

STRUTHERS — Casey Lower (6-1) retired the first 17 batters she faced and finished with a two-hitter, striking out eight and walking one, to lead Ursuline (6-1).

Malikka Caige and Kelli Kolenich each added two hits for the Irish.

Dana Mathews and Ashley Baron hit back-to-back doubles in the seventh for Struthers. Ellen Becker had seven strikeouts.

Chaney 28, Youngstown Christian 15

YOUNGSTOWN — Raylin Fullerman and Jessica Gavin each went 4-for-4 with two doubles, while Gavin also added a home run to lead Chaney.

Gavin and Fullerman also combined to pitch the victory. Kara Guyer went 6-for-6 including a home run for the Cowboys (1-2).

Massillon Perry 4, Boardman 0

BOARDMAN — Alex DiDomenico and Shannon Morrow held Perry to just four hits, but the Spartans couldn’t muster anything offensively.

Boardman (5-1) was limited to three hits, two of them by Lizzie Padgitt, while Angela Martin had the other single.

LaBrae 11, Warren Harding 1

LEAVITTSBURG — Lauren Crays, Emily Potter and Bayle Boggs each had two hits for LaBrae (2-1). Chelsie Hartman, Kathleen Dieter and McKenzie Blaney combined on a two-hitter.

Laura Howard tripled for LaBrae (2-1).

McDonald 4, Sebring 3

SEBRING — Losing pitcher Taylor Ward drove in two runs for the Trojans (4-4, 4-1 Inter Tri-County League Tier Two). Chantel Fox drove in the other run.

Lowellville 9, Jackson-Milton 6

NORTH JACKSON — Lowellville’s Cori Pavlicko broke a tie and gave her team a four-run advantage on one swing of the bat.

Facing a 4-4 tie in the top of the seventh, Pavlicko hit a grand slam to lift the Rockets (4-3), who started the inning with three consecutive bunt singles by Belinda Brady, Brooke Pallozzi and Gina Stouffer.

The Bluejays (3-1) scored two in the bottom of the inning. Starting pitcher Lindsey Knipp hit a double for Jackson-Milton.

Southeast 8, Kent Roosevelt 2

KENT — Kayle Carson had two doubles and Emily Coy added a double and a single for Southeast (3-0, 3-0 PTC).