Championships, streaks and statement wins highlight busy week

Late April into early May brought a little bit of everything – league titles decided, streaks extended and a few reminders that even strong teams can get tested late.

Across the board, though, one thing stood out: when the moment got big, somebody stepped up.

Marlington

Marlington’s biggest moment of the week didn’t come on the diamond. Instead, it came on the courts.

On April 30, the Dukes’ boys tennis team swept West Branch in a doubleheader, winning both matches 3-2 to clinch the EBC championship. With both teams entering unbeaten in league play, the stakes were clear – and Marlington answered. Finn Hassenzhal, Marcos Ramos Ruiz and the first doubles team of Nathan Dipold and Paulo Mora Montalvo all went 2-0 on the day as the Dukes improved to 10-4 overall.

On the baseball side, the week started earlier, and just as strong.

Back on April 22, Marlington rolled past Salem 12-4, using a six-run sixth inning to break the game open after chipping away early. Cole Jones and Landon Hawthorne each drove in two runs, while Harrison Selzer scored three times in a balanced offensive effort.

They closed the stretch April 30 with a tighter game, but the same result. The Dukes edged Salem 2-1 at home to improve to 6-2 in EBC play, showing they can win with patience and pitching just as easily as with big innings.

Softball followed a similar script – wait, then strike.

Also on April 30, Marlington used a four-run fifth inning to pull away from Minerva for a 5-3 win. It wasn’t flashy, but it was timely and enough to secure another conference victory.

Lake

Lake’s week leaned heavily on balance and a little bit of star power.

On April 28, the Blue Streaks opened with a grinder, edging Green 1-0 in extra innings. Makenna Miller provided the only run of the game with a solo home run in the eighth, while Gianna Greathouse dominated in the circle, scattering five hits and striking out eight.

Two days later, April 30, the offense showed up in full.

Lake defeated Perry 6-1 behind – once again – Greathouse, who returned to the circle and delivered another strong outing. Maggie Orr powered the offense with a home run and two RBIs, while Aubrey Eisele added two hits as the Blue Streaks improved to 12-6 overall and 6-4 in league play.

For the ninth-ranked team in the state in Division III, it was a matter of two games, two wins and a team that continues to find different ways to get it done.

Baseball kept rolling as well.

Lake knocked off McKinley 11-6 behind a huge day from Drew Pribanich, who blasted three triples, drove in three runs and scored twice. Aaron Mitchell added two hits, helping Lake improve to 11-4 overall and 4-2 in Federal League play.

Lake Center Christian

For Lake Center Christian, the week was defined by momentum swings. Baseball opened April 28 with a statement.

The Tigers broke open a close game late, scoring 11 runs across the fifth and seventh innings to defeat Warren JFK 13-3 on the road. One day later, April 29, they didn’t let up, jumping out to a six-run first inning on the way to an 8-0 shutout win. The pitching staff controlled the game throughout, allowing minimal traffic on the bases.

That pushed LCC into the weekend with confidence and a strong record.

But the Tigers’ PBR Spring Classic on May 2 brought a different kind of challenge.

Facing Waynedale, the No. 2-ranked Division V team in the state, the Tigers carried a lead into the final inning before surrendering six runs in the seventh in a 6-3 loss. Despite the setback, Lake Center Christian remained in strong shape at 11-3-1.

Softball followed a similar up-and-down path. On April 27, the Tigers dropped a 12-5 decision to McKinley despite a perfect 4-for-4 day from McKenzie Mast and a two-double performance from Addie Westfall.

They answered immediately.

On April 28, the Tigers bounced back with a 7-1 win over Warren JFK, powered by Jillian Miller’s three RBIs and a dominant pitching performance from Nora Sobitz, who allowed just one hit while striking out eight. The win moved LCC to 6-9 overall.

For Lake Center Christian, it was a split week, but one that showed both resilience and potential.