Canfield, OH - After yesterday's game was canceled due to wet conditions, the West Branch Lady Warriors varsity softball team traveled to Canfield to compete in Day 2 of the Strikeout for Cancer tournament at McCune Park.
Game 1 score: West Branch 6, Akron Hoban 9
Game 2 score: West Branch 14, St. Joseph 4
Game One
The Archbishop Hoban Varsity Knights opened the scoring early in the game, taking the lead in the bottom of the first inning with three singles. Savannah Regan started the momentum with a single that brought in the first run. Adeline Herstich further extended the Knights' lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second inning with another single.
The West Branch Lady Warriors answered back in the top of the fourth when Carly Loper hit a solo home run to right field, putting their first run on the board. Later, in the top of the seventh, Addi Craven hit a solo home run to center field, adding another run to the Lady Warriors' tally.
Klary McKay took the mound for West Branch, where she surrendered seven hits and four runs over three innings, while striking out two and walking two. Despite the challenges, the Lady Warriors showed their offensive strength, piling up 13 hits throughout the game. Sara Schmidt led the lineup with three runs batted in, going 2-for-3 at the plate, while leadoff hitter Ellie Tucker excelled with three hits in five at-bats. Zoe Metzger and Addi Craven also contributed with multiple hits, further solidifying the team's performance.
On the other side, the Archbishop Hoban Varsity Knights recorded a total of 17 hits. Nevaeh Peters drove the middle of their lineup, leading with three RBIs while finishing 2-for-3. Taylor Gerring was a standout at the top of the order, collecting three hits in four at-bats. Herstich, Kalie Watson, Gracelyn Schultz, Madison Shenigo, and Elli Weigand also made significant contributions with multiple hits. Notably, Shenigo displayed her speed on the bases, stealing two, and the Knights executed a strong defensive play with one double play during the game.
Game Two
Ellie Tucker demonstrated impressive plate discipline on Saturday, drawing three walks and helping lead the West Branch Lady Warriors to a 14-4 victory over St. Joseph.
St. Joseph struck first, with a single by Johnson putting them on the board in the top of the first inning. However, West Branch quickly responded when Klary McKay doubled on the sixth pitch of her at-bat, allowing the Lady Warriors to tie the game at one.
The game took another turn in the top of the second, where a wild pitch gave St. Joseph a 2-1 lead. Yet, West Branch surged ahead in the bottom of the second as Libbie Davis singled to score one run, followed by Mati Hawk's double that brought in two more, making it 4-2 in favor of the Lady Warriors.
St. Joseph fought back, capitalizing on two errors to tie the game at four in the top of the third. But West Branch regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring on a passed ball and a fielder's choice from McKay, each contributing one run.
The defining moment of the game came in the bottom of the sixth, when West Branch erupted for seven runs on six hits. Addi Craven doubled to score one, Josie Milliken singled for another run, and Carly Loper drew a walk that added to the tally. Tucker then added to the scoring with a single, followed by Hawk's single that collectively brought the score to 14-4.
In the circle, Tucker pitched three and two-thirds innings in relief, giving up no hits and just one run (unearned) while walking two batters. Maylin Hartzell started for West Branch, surrendering four hits and three runs (two earned) over two and one-third innings.
The Lady Warriors amassed a total of 15 hits during the game. Hawk, Milliken, McKay, Davis, Tucker, and Craven each contributed with two hits. Hawk led the team with three RBIs, while Tucker's patience at the plate resulted in three walks. The team collectively showed great discipline, earning a total of eight walks and stealing seven bases, with Tucker leading the charge by stealing five.
Johnson from St. Joseph finished with a solid performance, going 2-for-3 at the plate and earning the team's only RBI. St. Joseph also managed to turn one double play during the game.
What's Next: The West Branch Lady Warriors will be back in action at home on Monday, facing off against the Columbiana Varsity Clippers at 5 PM.
