Bellefontaine 13, Graham 6
Bellefontaine used a late offensive surge, scoring eight runs over the final two innings, to pull away for a 13-6 win over Graham and improve to 2-0 on the season.
Graham struck first with a run in the opening inning on a sacrifice groundout from Levi Hollingsworth that scored Kase Loudenback, then added another in the second on a passed ball to go up 2-0. The Chieftains answered in the third when Aven Caudill singled to right to score Sutton Daring, then took control in the fourth with a three-run inning. Hits from Cayleb Overmann and Patrick Stolly set the table, and after an error tied the game, back-to-back walks and a bases-loaded walk from Caudill gave Bellefontaine a 5-2 lead.
Graham responded with a four-run fifth inning to briefly take a 6-5 advantage, highlighted by a triple from Jack Traylor and RBI singles from Jack Seeberg and Donovan Corwin. Bellefontaine quickly answered in the sixth, capitalizing on control issues with hit batters and a key RBI single from Nicholas Beair to score four runs and regain the lead.
The Chieftains added four more runs in the seventh, with Spencer Stolly delivering a two-RBI double and Overmann adding a two-run single to cap the scoring. Overmann finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Caudill and Sammy Kline each drove in three. Aiden Smith was strong in relief, allowing just three hits over three scoreless innings with three strikeouts to close out the win.
Bellefontaine returns to action Monday, April 6, against Tecumseh, while Graham will face Greenon on Wednesday.
Triad 5, Tecumseh 4
Triad opened its season with a 5-4 victory over Tecumseh, using a five-run third inning and holding off multiple late threats from the Arrows.
After a quiet start, the Cardinals broke through in the third when George Hartman and Connor Hayes singled to put runners on base. JJ Roberts followed with a double down the left field line to drive in two runs, and later in the inning Jayden Blackburn delivered a two-run double to clear the bases and make it 5-0.
Tecumseh answered in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back singles to get on the board, then added three more runs in the fifth to cut the deficit to 5-4. The Arrows continued to threaten, loading the bases with one out in the sixth, but Triad escaped with an infield fly and a strikeout to preserve the lead.
In the seventh, Tecumseh again put runners on and had the tying run just 90 feet away, but a groundout back to the pitcher ended the game. Connor Hayes led the Cardinals offensively, going 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Roberts and Blackburn each recorded two RBIs. Waylin Holtsberry worked through late pressure on the mound, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out four.
Triad travels to Riverside on Saturday.
Riverside 7, Catholic Central 5
Riverside used strong pitching and timely hitting to secure a 7-5 win over Catholic Central.
The Pirates opened the scoring when Syler Clark doubled and later came home on a sacrifice fly from Cooper Crouch, but Catholic Central responded with three runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. Riverside chipped away, getting a run back in the third before tying the game in the fifth on a double from David Gross that scored Brayden Moore.
Brody Orsborne followed with an RBI single to give Riverside the lead, and later scored to extend it to 5-3. After Catholic Central added a run in the bottom half of the fifth, the Pirates created separation in the sixth with a sacrifice fly from Gross and another RBI single from Orsborne.
Clark dominated on the mound, striking out 11 batters while allowing just one earned run on three hits. Orsborne led the offense, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and also closed the game in the seventh with two strikeouts.
Riverside hosts Milton-Union on Tuesday.
Urbana 12, Springfield 6
Urbana rallied for eight runs in the seventh inning to defeat Springfield 12-6, improving to 2-0 in a back-and-forth contest.
The Hillclimbers jumped out early when Carter Houseman led off the game with a double, stole third, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Brody Donahoe. Urbana added another run in the third on a second sac fly from Donahoe to make it 2-0, but Springfield answered with two runs to tie the game.
Urbana regained the lead with a pair of runs, but Springfield responded with a four-run fifth inning behind RBI doubles, a groundout, and a single to take a 6-4 advantage. Down to their final inning, Urbana mounted a comeback as Bentley Cordial led off with a triple and later helped set up a two-RBI single from Houseman to tie the game.
With the bases loaded, Kevin Endres delivered the go-ahead hit, and a series of walks and another RBI single from Cordial helped Urbana score eight runs in the inning. Cordial finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Houseman added two hits and three RBIs. Jackson Stacy shut down Springfield in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.
Urbana travels to Northwestern on Friday.
Lima Bath 9, Indian Lake 0
Indian Lake struggled to generate offense in a 9-0 loss to Lima Bath, falling to 0-2 on the season.
Both teams were held in check early, with Laker starter Grant Wickline allowing just three baserunners through the first few innings while recording two strikeouts. However, the Lakers were also limited offensively and couldn’t capitalize on early opportunities.
Bath broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly, then added two RBI singles later in the inning to extend the lead. The Wildcats continued to build momentum with a sacrifice fly and a two-run single in the sixth, and took advantage of defensive errors in the seventh to push the final margin to 9-0.
Indian Lake put several runners on base throughout the game, but was unable to deliver with runners in scoring position. Nixon Lillard led the Lakers at the plate, going 2-for-3.
The Lakers will look to bounce back Friday against Kenton Ridge.
