Hot bats, strong pitching power local teams through busy week

It was another week of dynamic performances on the diamond from the area’s softball and baseball teams. With tournament play just around the corner, some teams are heating up at just the right time.

Baseball

Lake Center Christian enjoyed an explosive week at the plate, winning three of four contests before finally being slowed down by Richmond Edison.

The Tigers opened the week Monday, May 4, with a 9-2 home win over Mogadore after building a 6-0 lead through two innings. One day later, on Tuesday, May 5, Lake Center Christian erupted for 11 runs in the fourth inning of a 19-0 road rout of the Wildcats in five innings. The Tigers piled up 17 hits while allowing just three on the mound.

LCC stayed red hot Wednesday, May 6, hammering Canal Fulton Northwest 11-1 in another five-inning victory. The Tigers scored nine runs in the first two innings to put the game away early.

Richmond Edison finally cooled off the Tigers’ offense Friday, May 8, edging Lake Center Christian 2-1. No additional statistics were available from the loss as the Tigers finished the week 14-4-1 overall.

Meanwhile, Lake split three games during the week, highlighted by a pair of victories following a loss to Jackson.

On Wednesday, May 6, Jackson rolled to an 11-1 win over the Blue Streaks behind a dominant pitching performance from Landon Thiel, who struck out 12 over five innings. Brody Folk and Kenyon Oakes each had three hits for the Polar Bears.

Lake bounced back Thursday, May 7, with a 9-3 Federal League victory over Canton McKinley. The Blue Streaks scored all nine runs in the first three innings. Aaron Mitchell drove in two runs and scored twice, while Ty DeGeorge added two runs scored and an RBI as Lake improved to 5-3 in league play.

The Blue Streaks closed the week Friday, May 8, by slipping past Rootstown 2-1 in nonconference action. Lake finished the stretch 13-5 overall.

Marlington went 1-2 during the week, with Brock Woods continuing to swing one of the hottest bats in the area.

Alliance secured the outright Eastern Buckeye Conference championship Wednesday, May 6, defeating the Dukes 9-2 after a six-run fourth inning. Woods provided one of the highlights for Marlington with a solo home run.

The Dukes answered back Thursday, May 7, earning a 4-1 victory over Alliance. Woods homered for the second straight game, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI as Marlington improved to 7-3 in EBC play.

On Saturday, May 8, Marlington could not hold an early 5-0 lead in a 7-5 loss at Tuslaw. Woods stayed productive at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI, while Tyler Walder added two hits, including a double. The Dukes closed the week 12-6 overall.

Softball

Lake put together a strong week, winning two of three games while continuing to receive excellent pitching from Gianna Greathouse.

The Blue Streaks opened Monday, May 4, with a 6-2 win over Dalton. Violet Seaman went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored, while Greathouse struck out six in a complete-game effort.

Lake followed with an 11-0 Federal League shutout of Canton McKinley on Wednesday, May 6. Makenna Miller went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while Olivia Draher collected two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs. Greathouse dominated over three hitless innings with seven strikeouts before Olivia Gross finished the combined shutout.

The Blue Streaks were edged 1-0 by GlenOak on Thursday, May 7, despite another stellar outing from Greathouse, who allowed just one run on two hits. The loss dropped Lake to 14-7 overall and 7-5 in Federal League play.

Marlington continued its impressive season with a pair of victories.

The Lady Dukes rolled past Salem 19-4 on Tuesday, May 5, scoring in every inning. Chelsea Miller delivered a monster performance, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, a triple, five runs scored and seven RBIs.

Marlington followed Thursday, May 7, with a 6-2 Eastern Buckeye Conference victory over Alliance. Payton Peterson and Justine Doringo each had two hits and two RBIs, while Aaliyah Williams doubled and drove in two runs. The Lady Dukes improved to 15-5 overall and 9-1 in the EBC.

Lake Center Christian split its two games during the week.

The Tigers exploded for a 20-7 win over Central Christian on Monday, May 4. McKenzie Mast drove in five runs on three hits, while Caroline Chesnic finished 4-for-4 with four singles and three RBIs.

Mogadore answered Friday, May 8, defeating Lake Center Christian 13-1. Olivia Gingerich recorded the Tigers’ lone hit, while Jillian Miller scored the team’s only run. Lake Center Christian ended the week 7-10 overall.