PREP SPORTS BRIEFS

Bellmont Baseball Huntington North vs

A close ballgame between two of the top teams in the NE8 turned into a blowout victory for Huntington North Monday night as they plated seven runs in the sixth inning to shut out the host Braves, 11-0, thanks to an outstanding effort by starter Jack Eckert.

The Braves got five strong innings from their starter, Chase Lenegar, but could not provide him any run support in the loss.

Huntington North struck first in the top of the first despite not recording a hit. Two errors in the infield allowed Eckert to score.

The Vikes added another with a sacrifice fly in the third, but the game went to the sixth inning at 2-0.

Keagan Martin and Andrew James recorded the first hits against the Viking starter in the third, but it did not lead to a run as the Braves were picked off at first by Eckert.

The fateful sixth inning began with two successful bunts by the Vikes and another infield error by the Braves. With the score 4-0 and two runners on, the Braves made a pitching change and handed Jack Scheumann the ball.

Eckert was the first batter Scheumann was to face and he made the Braves sophomore pay, cracking a double to left to score two more and closing the book on Lenegar, who was charged with six runs ( four earned) and five hits.

Huntington North added on three more runs before the inning ended.

After Bellmont left the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Austin Oswalt led off the seventh with a home run for the Vikings, who added two more with two outs to take the score to 11-0.

Grant Beckner finished the game on the mound for Huntington North and allowed one hit, a single to Kobe Baker.

The Braves committed six errors in the loss and only managed five singles.

Bellmont Softball at New Haven

Bellmont snapped a threegame losing streak and scored 14 runs at New Haven Monday.

Piper Baker threw all six innings before the mercy rule went into effect and had two hits at the plate.

Rachel Bleke led the team with three hits, including another triple.

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Taylor Bauer drove in three runs with two hits, while Emma Mills, Emily Bleke and Sami Christen had two base knocks each also.

Outside of the third inning, when New Haven scored four times, Baker allowed just two baserunners, both on walks.

Adams Central Softball vs. Bluffton

Melina Peralez continued to crush the ball for the Adams Central softball Jets, picking up two more hits and knocking in four more to push her batting average just shy of .500 and her RBI total to 32 on the year in just 14 games as they defeated Bluffton 22-1 in a makeup ACAC game.

Maddie Hill threw three innings of two-hit ball and then handed the ball over to Lilli Jackson, who allowed just one hit and one run to see out the game.

Bluffton starter Tyrah Shaw walked 11, allowed 18 AC hits and was charged with 20 earned runs in the loss.

Brianna Cook also drove in four runs for Adams Central with three hits.

Jenna Cook added three hits and scored three runs.

South Adams Softball at Crestview (OH)

Olivia Heckler shut down the South Adams lineup Saturday and threw seven one-run innings for a 9-1 Crestview victory over the Starfires.

Gracy Bixler’s time in the circle for the Stars was plagued by six walks over five innings and Crestview led 6-1 after five innings.

Carlie Sealscott scored the Stars’ only run of the game, singling in the second and then scoring on an overthrow after she stole second.