Warriors battle through close losses, earn first win over Dover

If a team’s mettle is forged in the furnace of close losses, Carrollton’s baseball team is a hardy bunch.

The Warriors, who opened the season with a one-run loss to GlenOak, continued the trend in a 6-5 loss at Meadowbrook March 30.

Unlike the 5-4 loss to GlenOak, in which the Golden Eagles methodically built a four-run lead before Carrollton rallied in the sixth and seventh innings, the Warriors struck early against Meadowbrook, scoring four runs in the first inning.

The Colts answered with a run in the second and three more in the third to tie the game. A run in the fourth gave Meadowbrook the lead until the seventh, when Carrollton tied the game at 5.

In heartbreaking fashion, the Colts (1-0) walked it off with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Cooper Haun had two hits and an RBI for Carrollton.

After an April 3 home game against New Philadelphia was postponed, Carrollton traveled to Dover April 4 seeking its first win.

The Crimson Tornadoes entered on a three-game winning streak, but Carrollton struck first with a run in the second inning. The teams traded three-run innings in the third before the Warriors added an insurance run in the fourth for a 5-3 lead.

That margin held as Carrollton’s pitching limited Dover (4-2) to five hits. Jaden Murphy and Hunter Allison each had two hits and scored a run for the Warriors (1-2).

Softball

Carrollton had a busy week with four games scheduled, including one postponement.

The Lady Warriors opened March 30 at Edison. The Wildcats built a 5-0 lead through two innings before Carrollton responded with three runs across the fourth and fifth innings.

Edison (4-1) added a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to secure an 8-4 win. Reagan Schneiders led Carrollton, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and three RBIs.

The next day, Carrollton traveled to Indian Creek. The Redskins, who had lost six straight and been outscored 66-11 during that stretch, broke out offensively in one inning.

After Breeanna Arquilla scored on a Laiken Spilker RBI to give Carrollton a 1-0 lead in the third, Indian Creek (3-6) scored seven runs in the fourth to win 7-1.

Following a postponed game against Fairless, Carrollton traveled to Canton South for an April 4 doubleheader.

Freshman Emilee Shepard pitched a complete-game two-hitter in the opener, striking out nine without issuing a walk.

Canton South (3-3) won the second game 3-1 to split the doubleheader, limiting Carrollton to three hits. Right fielder Josilynn Cross scored the lone run for the Warriors (2-4).