The Acme sectional tournament opened last night at Blue Jacket Park.

West Liberty-Salem edged Benjamin Logan 7-6.

Brock Bahan earned the win. He fired a complete game and recorded eight strikeouts.

WLS had 12 hits.

Garrett Dallas led the way with three hits and two RBIs.

Levi Reed tallied two hits and two RBIs.

Bahan and Ryan Ropp each added two hits.

For Benjamin Logan, Trenton Pugh tossed a complete game.

Pugh shined on offense with three doubles.

Dustin Bowers had two hits.

West Liberty-Salem is 11-6; Benjamin Logan is 13-5.

The Acme sectional tournament runs through Tuesday and the top two teams advance to the district tournament.

The Mac-O-Chee Quarter Midget racing association invites children ages 5-16 and their families to test-drive a racecar on Friday at the West Liberty Lions Club Park.

This “Arrive and Drive” event is free of cost and all of the necessary safety equipment will be provided.

Children who want to participate in the event must wear tennis shoes and a parent must accompany them to sign a required waiver.

Starting at ten a.m., pre-race training and registration begins in the tower and will be open to the community until dark.

The Mac-O-Chee Quarter Midget racing association encourages interested families to come and talk to the young drivers and their families as well as parts suppliers and chassis builders who will be available to answer any questions.

Racing action will take place on Saturday, July 4th, and Sunday, July 5th. Admission is free for the races. All of the races will be posted on the web at www.usaracing.com.

The United States Auto Club’s “Generation Next Tour” is coming to Logan County for the racing event where local Mac-O-Chee racers will compete with the best of the best around the tri-state area trying to capture the coveted USAC Winner Medallion.

The West Liberty Lions Club is hosting a Fish Fry on Saturday in addition to their regular concession stand.

For more information on the event, visit www.machochee.org.

In Acme baseball, Benjamin Logan T&L Graphics defeated Tecumseh 8-2 last night.

Matt Cira earned the win.

Trenton Pugh led the offense with an RBI triple.

The Raiders (13-4) will battle West Liberty-Salem in the opening round of the sectional tournament tonight at 8:30 at Blue Jacket Park.

In Hi-Point Farm League tournament action, Real Living edged Exchange 12-9.

Max Wilcoxin was the winning pitcher. He struck out seven in 3 1/3 innings.

Dillon Robb and Jack Cushman pitched well in relief.

Cushman paced the offense with three hits.

Gavin Standley smacked two triples.

Christian Kelly had a triple and a double.

Benjamin Logan majorettes Peggy Deardurff (captain) and Kelsey Saylor did very well at the Fred J. Miller Summer Clinics at Wright State University on June 21st.

Benjamin Logan received the Outstanding Teamwork Award, which is the camp's highest honor.

Over 100 schools were part of the competition.

Deardurff won the Outstanding Achievement Award for her abilities in twirling.

Deardurff and Saylor are students at Razz-M-Tazz Studios.

Sports column written by WPKO & WBLL Sportscasters Camper Hart Main.

Why is the Steelers franchise the most successful in the NFL? It's all about the history.

In 1933 Art Rooney purchased the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then they have won 6 Super Bowls and have been AFC champions 7 times. For 76 years, and counting, the Steelers have been kept in the Rooney family. If you count by championships, no one matches the Steelers.

Another factor in their success is the coaching. They have had few coaching changes and most of them have done well. For example, in the 70's Chuck Knoll won 4 Super Bowls. In '05 Bill Cowher won it and in '08 Mike Tomlin won it in his first year (in the Super Bowl). If you look at it by coaches no one matches the Steelers.

The final and most important reason is us. No not just me and you but all the fans. The Steelers have one of the largest fan bases in the league. No matter what the weather, the game and the Steelers record or even if the game is home or away, they know that there will be a guy painted in black and gold with no shirt and plenty of Steelers fans supporting their team, the Pittsburgh Steelers!

On June 20th and June 21st the Riverside Powerlifting team competed in the 2009 NASA USA Nationals. The event was held at the Marriott Hotel in Columbus.

16 boys and 6 girls on the Riverside team competed in the tournament.

Many of the lifters set personal records in at least one event.

Boys team members include: Cody Week, Joe Worrell, Zach Stewart, Craig Boling, Trevor Helmlinger, Jesse Kite, Mason Harbour, Brian Hayman, Ryan Stewart, Mike Seeling, Joe Coulson, Gunner Whitaker, Nick Snapp, Brad Moffett, Jared Holycross, and Chad Small.

Girls team members include: Heather Core, Hillary Jackson, Dani Lump, Carly Lump, Erica Ervin, and Amelia Carter.

The Pirates did very well at the Sonlight Powerlifting Bench Press/Deadlift Championship on June 27th at Sampson's Gym in Hamilton.

Three of Riverside's girls set state records at the meet. Heather Core set a record with a 260 lb deadlift in the 114 lb weight class, Erica Ervin set a bench press record of 95 lbs in the 165 lb weight class, and Amelia Carter set a record with a 305 lbs deadlift in the 198 lb weight class.

Six of Riverside's boys also set state records or won 1st place in an event at the meet. Craig Boling broke the state bench press record with a 175 lbs lift and lifted 385 lbs to break the state deadlift record for his 181 lb class. Zach Stewart placed 2nd in the deadlift with a pull of 295 lb. Mason Harbour broke the state record deadlift with a 450 lbs lift and a 250lbs bench press lift. Joe Coulson won 1st place in the 181 lb weight class of 16 and 17 -year-old division with a deadlift of 475 lbs. Ryan Stewart won 1st place in the 181 lb 18 and 19-year-old division with a deadlift of 475 pounds. Chad Small broke the state record in the bench press with a 275 lb lift in the 18 and 19-year-old division in the 308 lb class.

Riverside's Powerlifting team is coached by Scott Stewart.

Three local Acme teams posted wins last night.

In varsity action, Benjamin Logan T&L Graphics defeated Bellefontaine Powerbuilt 11-4 at Blue Jacket Park.

Logan Coleman earned the win.

Jonathon Mobley paced the Raiders attack with a three-run double.

Colt Stover added a two-run single.

For Powerbuilt, Michael Stockton had three hits.

Marquis Klausing and Conner Kellogg each had two hits.

Bellefontaine surrendered ten walks.

Powerbuilt is 23-5.

Indian Lake shut out Fairbanks 10-0 in five innings.

The Lakers went 12-9 in the regular season.

Indian Lake will play Saturday at 2:30 at Blue Jacket in the sectional tournament.

The Lakers will face the winner of Friday night's Benjamin Logan/West Liberty-Salem matchup.

In Junior Acme, Bellefontaine edged host Urbana 5-3 in ten innings last night.

Mike Little went the first eight innings and held the Hillclimbers to three runs. He struck out seven.

Jordan Kauffman worked the final two innings to earn the win. He worked out of a one-out bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning.

Right fielder David Niswonger threw out a runner at the plate in the sixth inning to keep the game tied.

Drae Lyburtus led the offense with three hits.

Blake Butler added a double.

Bellefontaine will visit Springfield Shawnee Saturday morning at eleven o'clock in the winner's bracket final.

The Braves beat Benjamin Logan 8-1 last night.

Sports column written by WPKO & WBLL Sportscasters Camper Terry Lash

For yet another year, Brett Favre leaves us wondering the same questions: where, when and, most importantly, why?

The future Hall of Fame quarterback is again causing an uproar with his decision to come out of retirement and play another season, presumably with the Minnesota Vikings. We have heard this story for the last five seasons, and I, for one, am a little tired of this saga, as I imagine most of the country is.

The argument has been made that since Brett has had such a decorated career that it’s his choice when he wants to go, and he can retire or unretire as many times as he wants. The only problem with this is that it was Packer fans making this defense. Now, since he’s exploring opportunities outside of Green Bay, who’s going to defend him?

Being a Vikings fan, I can say that I’m not as excited as most about the potential acquisition of Favre. True as it may be that he is by far the best quarterback that Minnesota can pick up and he surely can give them a better chance at a Super Bowl appearance than Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfells or John David Booty, but is he worth going through the agonizing process of waiting on him until the last possible minute to make a decision?

I believed the Vikings were making a positive step in the handling of Favre when they gave him a deadline to make a decision, but I was disappointed to find out that as soon as the deadline passed, the Vikings retracted the deadline and denied ever giving it. With the reports of Brett getting surgery on his arm confirmed I believe it is inevitable that Favre will become a Minnesota Viking. I’m just hoping it’s sooner rather than later. If Favre can be the missing piece to the Vikings puzzle to ascend them from pretenders to contenders, then great. If he decides that his arm isn’t healing properly and that it is time to leave, that’s great also. I’m just hoping that we can soon close the book on this never-ending story.

The Bellefontaine Swim Team made a strong showing against Versailles with many Bellefontaine swimmers achieving personal bests.

Macy Arn and Shelby Starkey tied for top points for the girls. Jared Slayer was the top scorer for the boys. Other point scorers in the 8 and under group include Amy Fulmer, Payton Kinney and Breanne Heath also scored points.

In the 9/10 age group, Emily Fulmer was the top scorer for the girls and Skylar Tavenner earned the most points for the boys. Shelby Moore, Megan Barthauer, Molly Schultz, Abigail Herman, Haylee Pequignot, Kohl Moore, Jacob Miller, Alex Miller, and Brock Finch also scored points for the 9/10 group.

Emma Smith earned top points for the girls and Zach Bodenmiller was the top scorer for the boys in the 11/12 age group. Additional swimmers scoring points in the 11/12 group include Renae Deardurff, Riley Penhorwood, Evelyn Belcher, and Isaiah Brady.

Jessica Miller and Nick Taylor earned top points in the 13/14 age group. Other point scorers in that group include Shelby Phillips and Connor George.

In the 15-18 age group, Kaileigh Bible earned top points for the girls and Christian Garlock earned the most points for the boys. Additional swimmers that scored points at the meet from the 15-18 group include Chris Walker, Dylan Notestine, and Matt Spatz.

By Miriam Stoner

Bellefontaine Powerbuilt improved to 23-4 on the year with a 4-2 win over the Dayton Dodgers at Blue Jacket Park. Garrett Pickering led the offense with a 3-3 performance. Michael Stockton was 2-3 and Daulton Mosbarger tripled. T.J. Garman and Josh Kauffman combined to strikeout eight.

In other ACME action, West Liberty-Salem beat Riverside 6-2. Sean King pitched a complete game, striking out six. Tyler Cordell had two hits and two RBI, as did Cade Hunt. Brock Bahan, Erik Thomas and Canaan Thornburg each doubled.

Junior ACME

Bellefontaine rolls Triad, 11-0 in tournament action. Drae Lyburtus struck out 13 and gave up one hit in the win. Lyburtus also sparked the offense, turning in a three-RBI triple in the bottom of the first inning. Jordan Kauffman had a hit and drove in three runs. Miyabi Nonaka and Robbie Herring each had a hit and scored three times. Josh Runion recorded a hit and scored twice. Nate Brisson had two hits.

Bellefontaine plays top seed Urbana in the next round of the tournament.

Pony League

Bellefontaine FOP notches win over Belle Center 20-8. The pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts. Josh Burton was 4-5 with two triples and three RBI to lead the offense. Roman Miller was 2-3 with a triple and two RBI. John Kirby was 3-3 with a triple and two RBI. Collen Pulfer turned in a 3-4 performance.

Parker Codora was 4-4 for Belle Center and Miles Eaton hit a two-run homer.

By Justin Miller

The Hi Point Farm League tournament opened last night in Bellefontaine.

Real Living defeated Maple Leaf 13-1.

Christan Kelley earned the win and struck out eight.

Kelley led the offense with two home runs.

Jack Cushman went two for two.

Max Wilcoxin added a double.

The tournament wraps up July 10th.

The American Modified Series ran the 15th Firecracker 50 sponsored by Cooper Tires on Saturday.

Zanesfield #1 won the county Farm League title over DeGraff #3, 12-6 on Saturday. Hayes Roebuck picked up the win on the mound, going five innings and striking out 10.

Roebuck was also 4-4 at the plate with two singles and a pair of doubles. Mitchell Fink, Cole Craig, Clay Bibart, Nolan Robson, Dylin Harshfield, Jared Abbott and Cam Bensman all added hits to the offensive attack.

Caleb Stevens, Gavin Stallard and Joey Kaeck combined to hurl 15 strikeouts for DeGraff. Stevens led the DeGraff offense with a 2-3 game, including a triple.

DeGraff got to the championship by winning seven straight after losing its first game. The wins came over Belle Center (20-11), Zanesfield #2 (11-5), Ridgeway #1 (10-0), Washington #2 (18-13), Raymond (5-3), West Liberty #1 (19-16) and DeGraff #1 (11-10).

The team showed an incredible will to win, rallying from behind to win in the final inning against Washington, Raymond, West Liberty and DeGraff #1.

By Justin Miller

Saturday on 1390 the Bell Bellefontaine #2 AcuSport brought home the Little League Championship in convincing fashion with an 11-1 5-inning victory over Zanesfield.

AcuSport finishes with a stellar 18-1 record overall.



Jarrod Houchin starred both at the plate and on the mound. He hit two home runs while also fanning eight Zanesfield batters.


(Photo of Jarrod Houchin and Coach Don Hensley)

Listen to postgame comments from AcuSport head coach Don Hensley and standout Jarrod Houchin.

For Zanesfield, Austin Ahle, David Nease, and Steven Cole had hits.

T-Ball:

Zanesfield Horney Insurance defeated Quincy #2 19-9.

Kenna Hone had two home runs, including a grand slam.

Landon Armentrout had a home run and a triple.

Aaron Brugler doubled.

Washington II outscored Ridgemont III 17-8.

Lukas Schwieterman blasted a home run.

Shania Fruchey had three hits.

Josh Staley recorded two hits, including a double.

Ashlyn Shaner, Kaya Campbell, and Allison Kinney played excellent defense.

Huntsville #2 CJ Engineering ran past West Mansfield #2 26-8.

Reid Notestine, Dustin Franks, Easton Klauer, and Hayden Pummel had home runs.

Raelyn Parsell, Alexis Lones, and Callie Notestine each had three hits.

Huntsville #2 starts tournament action July 11th in DeGraff at 11:30.

13 and under:

Bellefontaine 13 and under split a doubleheader with Ridgemont on Sunday.

Bellefontaine won the first game 8-6 behind strong pitching from Cam Henry, Colton Dement, and Cody Lyons.

John Kirby had two hits and two RBIs.

Collen Pulfer recorded two hits and Kade Runyon added a double and two RBIs.

Ridgemont won the nightcap 11-9.

Nick Burton and A J Gorham pitched for Bellefontaine.

Burton and Dement each had two hits.

Lyons doubled and drove in three runs.

Acme:

Indian Lake beat West Liberty-Salem 4-2 Friday night.