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TV's Liz Poling kept Arcanum hitters off balance most of night in match-up of last two undefeated WOAC Teams.  Poling scattered 8 hits & gave up 2 runs in 9-2 win.

Story & Photos by Dale Barger

ARCANUM – Tri-Village Lady Patriots softball cleared the biggest hurdle yet this year in the WOAC with a 9-2 win over Arcanum putting them in the driver seat looking for their third consecutive WOAC league title.

Over the last 4 years the title race has come down to Arcanum and Tri-Village.  The Bradford girls won the first ever league title in 2022 and went on to win a state championship. 

Arcanum won in 2023 and the Patriots in 2024 and 2025 with the PATS claiming a state championship last year as well.

Tri-Village collected 17 hits with five players having a multi-hit night while Arcanum scattered 10 hits in the game.

Emma Greer led off the game with a shot to center field that nearly left the yard.  She would go 3-4 in the game, 2 rbi, 2 runs scored.

Emma Greer continues to swing a hot bat for Tri-Village and got the game started with a line drive double that nearly went out in straight center hitting off the top of the fence.  Greer would score after back-to-back – ground ball outs by Kash Mead which got her to 3rd and Hailey Burk then sent her home for a 1-0 lead.

The Patriots touched up Arcanum pitcher Cam Garbig in the 2nd inning for 3 more runs to push the lead to 4-0.

Caley McCarroll who leads the league in homers in a tie with Greer, both have 6, roped a double down the left field line to start the top of 2nd inning.

Cam Osborne then singled to 2nd base that was followed by a walk to Miley Bierly to load up the bases.

Addy Wright hit one deep that was caught near the fence by left fielder Emily Fox that scored McCarroll tagging up on the play.

Addy Wright had two doubles for the Patriots and snared a nice catch in the outfield for TV.

Garbig got a hitter to pop-out … but then walked Greer to again load up the bases.  Kash Mead battled at the plate, and it paid dividends with a single into left field scoring Osborne and Bierly to put the Patriots up 4-0.

Tri-Village tacked on two more runs in the top of the 4th inning both coming with two outs.

Greer hit a single followed by a walk to Mead.  Hailey Burk singled to score Greer and then Mead scored on a base hit from Aereonna Baker to go up 6-0.

Arcanum in the bottom of the inning got a one-out hit from Rees Hoffman.  Meredith Laux hit one back to the pitcher, who then tried to get the force at 2nd … but the throw was late and Arcanum had their first threat of the game with runners at 1st and 2nd.

Rees Hoffman laced one of the Trojans 10 hits in the game.

Fox laid down a sacrifice bunt moving two runners into scoring position at 2nd and 3rd with two outs.  Poling then coaxed a ground ball to McCarroll at 1st base who stepped on the bag to end the scoring threat.

Arcanum again threatened in the 5th inning getting two hits, one from Grace Fry and the other by Jordan Garbig.

Poling kept the Trojans off balance most of the night as they struggled to get any real solid contact, she managed three infield pop-ups to get out of the inning unscathed.

The Patriots added a run in the 6th inning on a McCarroll RBI bringing home Burk stretching the lead to 7-0.

Arcanum rallied in the bottom of the inning … with two outs and Meridith Laux on with a hit, Poling threw a couple of wild pitches that allowed courtesy runner Brynn Byers to get to 3rd base and then walked Ella Flatter.

Grace Fry helped prevent the Trojans from getting shutout with this rbi single.

Lead-off hitter Grace Fry delivered with an RBI single to get Arcanum on the board scoring Byers and now they had runners on 1st and 2nd.

Tri-Village coach Emily Osborne was pleased with the effort she got from her senior leader Liz Poling on the mound against a good Arcanum team but decided it was time for a pitching change.

“I told Liz, she did a good job, making them hit outs and giving us a chance to make plays behind her.  She got ahead in the count, hit her spots and I thought maybe we'd get her to go all the way through for a shutout,” coach Osborne stated.

“But it’s a long season and it’s nice to have options so we brought in Caley McCarrolI. We're hoping to go deep in the tournament and having the flexibility of throwing the two and still have a third kid we can throw in at spots is nice to have,” Osborne added.

Senior pitcher Elizabeth Poling would eventually get the win, going 5.2 innings, giving up 8 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and had 2 strikeouts.

Matty Noe fields ball for an out & hit a double to give Arcanum their 2nd run in the game.

Arcanum’s Matty Noe would touch up McCarroll in relief immediately with a hard shot to deep center field that just stay in the park.  The double scored Flatter and the Trojans trailed 7-2.

But the rally got cut short as Grace Fry also tried to score from first on the double  and the Patriots relay throw home was in time for Burk to apply the tag on Fry to get out of the inning preventing further potential damage.  

Tri-Village would get those two runs back in the top half of the final inning.  With one out Claire Royer slapped a double over third base.  Addy Wright followed it with her 2nd double  of the night scoring Royer.

Kaley Brandon singled with Wright going to 3rd base and then Greer collected her 3rd hit to score Wright as the Patriots held a 9-2 lead into the bottom of the inning.

Kaley Brandon gets a solid hit in game with Arcanum.

Caley McCarroll gave up one hit in the last inning, two in the game but shut down the Trojans to earn a save and the Patriots would remain undefeated in the WOAC with 9-2 win.

Offensively Emma Greer was 3-4, 2 runs, 1 rbi, 1 walk, Aereonna Baker 3-4 and rbi, Addy Wright 2-4, 2 rbi, 1 run, Cam Osborne 2-4, 1 run, Caley McCarroll 2-4, 1 run, 1 rbi, and Hailey Burk 2-4, 1 run, 2 rbi.

Arcanum’s Jordan Garbig was 3-4, Grace Fry 2-3, 1 rbi, Meredith Laux 2-2 and Matty Noe 1-4, 1 rbi.

Arcanum Coach Mike Morris gave credit to Tri-Village and knew going it they needed to keep it a low scoring game.

“We wanted to keep it low scoring, we're not going to get in a big home run match with them. We should have probably shifted earlier in the game, they probably had five, maybe six runs, if we shifted earlier.   We hit the ball tonight, we just didn’t hit it hard enough at times and the wind was a factor as well, no excuses, obviously, they're a great team,” Morris commented.

“We got a lot of ball left as we continue to work to get ready for tournament. I think we can do some damage in the tournament this year. We’ve got a big game tomorrow with Miami East and we'll see how we fare with them, they are another great hitting team, so we will see what we can do,” Morris concluded.

Arcanum fell to 9-6 overall and 4-1 in the WOAC tied with Tri-County North also at 4-1.  The Trojans will host North on May 7th.

Tri-Village improved to 10-3 overall and 5-0 in the WOAC.  The Patriots will host St. Henry on Saturday and Franklin Monroe on Monday.

Aereonna Baker turns on an inside pitch lacing a double down the left field line in win over Arcanum.
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Twin Valley South's Andrew Johnson hits the game winning RBI as the South earns a 5-4 win over rival Tri-County North.

Story & Photos by Dale Barger

WEST ALEXANDRIA – Twin Valley South baseball team handed Tri-County North their first WOAC loss.  South’s Andrew Johnson’s singled in the winning run in their last at bat for the 5-4 win.

Tri-County North got a one out double from Peyton Fannin and moved to third on a single from Koby Reynolds, but the Panthers would be unable to bring home the runners popping up to shortstop and to the first baseman with the next two hitters.

The outfielders were getting a workout in this game with the wind blowing out.  Peyton Fanning had to chase this one down going to the fence.  North fell short in this one 5-4.

Aiden White led off the bottom half the inning with a walk.  Dustin Miller hit a double moving White to third base. 

Laiden Carver who started the game on the bump for South helped himself at the plate in the bottom of first inning with a base hit that scored White and moved Miller to third.

Miller then scored on a wild pitch and Carver advanced to 3rd.  Tyler Wampler then hit ground ball to up the middle and fielded by shortstop who had to go to first and Carver scored to give TV South a quick 3-0 lead.

Tri-County North got two runs back in the top of the third inning.  Peyton Fanning walked to start. After a strikeout by Carver, Fannin stole second base.  Gabe Heltsley hit a line drive double to center bringing Fannin home. Heltsley would score a few batters later on a single from Joe O’Connell to make the score 3-2.


Ben Knife gave North a 4-3 lead with a towering 2-run homer.

In the top of the fourth Luke Baughman led off with an infield single.  As the game went along the clouds were ominous, dark and the wind picked playing in favor of Tri-County North and Ben Knife who timed it just right on one big swing getting the ball up in the air with the wind blowing out and the ball sailed way over the fence for a go-ahead two run homer with North going in front 4-3.

In the bottom of the 5th inning Parker Howard and Dustin Miller hit back-to-back singles.  One pitch to the next batter Miller attempted a steal to second and then Howard broke to home from third the relay back to home was late and Howard scored the tying run 4-4 where the score remained until the final at bat for South in the seventh inning.

Andrew Johnson would notch the big hit for the game winner.  Dustin Miller who came on in relief in the final inning had two strikeouts for TV South and with the game tied picked up the win.  Meanwhile Laiden Carver threw 6 innings giving up 8 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks and had 6 strikeouts.

Gabe Heltsley got the start for North and went 5.1 innings and he gave up 8 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks and had 5 strikeouts.  Ben Knife came on in relief and gave up 1 hit, 1 run, 3 walks and had 2 strikeouts and would be tabbed with the loss.

While starting pitcher Laiden Carver didn't get the win for TV South, he threw six good innings and helped his team at the plate as well.
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Tri-County North Baseball Team is off to a good start 3-0 in the league and 5-1 overall (Dale Barger photo)

Story by Dale Barger

LEWISBURG – The Tri-County North baseball team picked up two big WOAC wins last week to improve to 3-0 in the league and 5-1 overall.

The Panthers, along with Arcanum (6-1) and Dixie (4-3), are the last remaining undefeated teams in WOAC play at 3-0. Arcanum will travel to Dixie on Tuesday in a matchup that will ensure the league’s unbeatens dwindle to at least one — and at most two — teams.

North was a young team last year and still managed to finish tied for second in the league at 8-3 before graduating three seniors. Youth still exist this spring, with just one senior, infielder/pitcher Koby Reynolds, who head coach Garrett Gray says has fully embraced the leadership role.

“Koby, as our lone senior, has taken the leadership role on and is doing a great job helping this team battle,” Gray said.

Senior Koby Reynolds receives pick-off throw attempt from Gabe Heltsley in game with National Trail. (Jim Freeman photo)

“I think that's our biggest thing, especially early on — we’ve just been battling, grinding out games, getting to the next pitch, getting the next at-bat,” Gray explained. “We’re just doing the little things really well, and we’ve adjusted. Yes, we’ve had mental mistakes, but we continue to correct them and not make them again.”

Panthers Grind Out 6–5 Win Over National Trail

The narrow 6–5 win over National Trail is a prime example of the Panthers’ resilience in a cold, error-filled early-season matchup that handed the Blazers their first loss.

Tri-County North jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the second inning, helped heavily by a throwing error on a ground ball from Peyton Fannin that allowed three runs to score.

National Trail answered in the bottom half of the inning, taking advantage of several throwing errors and getting RBI hits from Mason Cordle and others to move in front, 4–3.

Sophomore Joe O'Connell fields the ball in game verses National Trail. (Jim Freeman photo)

The score remained 4–3 until the sixth inning, when Tri-County North again capitalized on miscues. A hit-by-pitch and an error allowed the tying run to score, and a misplayed pop fly by Gabe Heltsley brought in two more runs, putting the Panthers ahead 6–4.

National Trail pushed one run across in the seventh inning on another error to cut the lead to 6–5 and brought the tying run on base, but a flyout by Matt Jones ended the game and sealed the Panthers’ win.

Jr. Pitcher Gabe Heltsley is tied for the most WOAC wins with Arcanum's Regan Christ with 3 wins so far this year. (Jim Freeman photo)

Heltsley went the distance on the mound for Tri-County North, throwing a complete game. He allowed 5 runs (only 2 earned) on 7 hits, struck out 5, and did not issue a walk to earn the victory.

Overall, both teams showed they can compete, but defensive mistakes loomed large. Tri-County North simply did a bit more to take advantage of the opportunities.

Offensive Outburst in 10–0 Win Over Tri-Village

Ben Knife is a dude throwing a one-hitter in a 10-0 win over Tri-Village. (Dale Barger photo)

Tri-County North followed the tight win over National Trail with a 10–0 run-rule victory over Tri-Village, showcasing its ability to swing the bats — something that pleased Coach Gray.

“We did a really good job defensively and pitched really well and got the bats out against Tri-Village,” Gray said.

Sophomore pitcher Ben Knife was dominant, giving up just one hit — a double to Tri-Village’s Jamey Lipps in the top of the fifth inning. Knife relied on his defense, recording 3 strikeouts to pick up the win.

The Panthers’ offense backed him with 12 hits to generate their 10 runs.

Kaden Powell (So.) went 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs.

Ben Knife (So.) also went 3-for-3, driving in a run and scoring 2.

Koby Reynolds finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.

“It was a pretty good night, especially after plating seven runs in the third inning,” Gray said after the game.

Gray also offered high praise for Knife’s all-around performance.

“Ben is such a consistent guy for this team — defense, offense, and pitching. Whatever we ask him to do, he is just consistent all the time,” Gray said. “He is one of my favorite players to watch out on the field, just being a dog. When he comes to the field — practices, games, in the offseason — he’s just a dude.”

The coach credited the entire lineup for its approach at the plate.

“We did great as a whole team,” Gray concluded. “I think everybody was putting the bat on the ball and battled. We grind out at-bats. We didn’t give up any at-bats — a couple guys had 10-pitch at-bats — and did the job. That’s our main offensive goal: do whatever it takes.”

With a strong start in league play, a proven ace in Heltsley, an emerging two-way force in Knife, and steady leadership from Reynolds, Tri-County North has quickly shown it belongs in the conversation at the top of the WOAC standings. If the Panthers continue to “battle” the way their coach describes, their early-season success may just be a preview of what’s to come in the weeks ahead.

Jr. Peyton Fannin makes diving catch in left field stranding Patriots only runner in game at 2nd base. They beat Tri-Village 10-0 to go 3-0 in the WOAC. (Dale Barger photo)
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Sr. Colton Quigney delivers two run blast that lead to 3-0 Arcanum win over Newton.

Story & Photos by Dale Barger

PLEASANT HILL – In just five years of WOAC baseball, the Newton–Arcanum matchup has become a fixture in the conference title race. The Trojans have claimed three of the first four league crowns, with Newton and Arcanum sharing the inaugural championship.

So it was no surprise that two of the best arms in southwest Ohio, regardless of division, went head-to-head again.

Arcanum sent senior right-hander Regan Christ to the mound, while Newton countered with senior Austin Tippie. Both feature lively fastballs in the upper 80s and sharp breaking balls. Christ entered the game 2–0 with wins over Versailles and Covington and 27 strikeouts. Tippie came in 1–0 after Newton’s annual Florida trip against larger schools, designed to harden the Indians for WOAC play.

Austin Tippie gave up just two hits and pitched well enough to win most games ... but in a pitchers duel one big play can be the difference. 

Tippie looked dominant early, striking out the first two Trojans he faced. But catcher Bryce Kramer worked a walk to keep the inning alive.

Then lightning struck.

Senior Colton Quigney turned on a Tippie fastball and launched it over the left-field fence for a two-run homer—his first career home run—and what would prove to be the game-winning blow.

Before the at-bat, Arcanum coach Randy Baker had a simple message for his hitters:
“Just get your bat on the ball. He’s (Tippie) providing all the power, so use it by making contact.”

Quigney did exactly that.

“Actually, after I hit it I didn't know where it went,” Quigney admitted. “I thought it was just like a little shot to the outfield, but then running to first, I saw coach Rench’s face light up and then I knew it was gone and I was like, ‘All right, that felt really great.’”

Quigney felt great rounding the first base knowing he gave his team a big shot in the arm to start the game with Newton.

Baker understood just how big that swing was.

“We knew this was going to be a pitching duel, and we were really struggling to see the ball there,” Baker said. “I mean, he struck out the first two and throughout the game he mowed us down, only giving up two hits. So when Bryce walked and Quigney hit that homer, it was big. Hat’s off to Tippie—he threw a great game.”

The early 2–0 lead was crucial, but Arcanum still had to defend it for seven innings. They leaned on Christ’s right arm and just enough defense behind him.

Newton’s leadoff man Cole Alexander immediately tested the Trojans, driving a deep shot to center. Senior outfielder Derek Longstreth turned and ran it down over his shoulder near the fence, robbing extra bases and keeping the momentum in Arcanum’s dugout.

Derek Longstreth makes an over shoulder catch running at center field fence. In baseball one or two plays can make all the difference & this was a big play.

From there, Christ went to work.

The senior fired a complete game five-hitter, striking out 14. Through three outings and 18 innings this season, Christ now has 41 strikeouts to lead the league.

Newton threatened in the fourth. With one out, Rhett Koffer and Tippie laced back-to-back singles, bringing the tying run to the plate. Christ responded by striking out the side, slamming the door on the rally.

Arcanum added an insurance run in the top of the fifth. Junior Caleb Baker drew a walk, and a few batters later Longstreth delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 3–0.

Shortstop Cole Alexander makes a great play to throw out a runner. He was robbed of extra bases early then delivers a hit in 6th inning but the Indians couldn't get him home.

Newton kept battling. In the bottom of the sixth, Alexander singled with one out and moved to second on a passed-ball strikeout. Tippie then scorched a line drive, but Trojans third baseman Ethan Kearney snared it, turning away another potential scoring opportunity.

The Indians mounted one last push in the seventh. Will Bowser led off with a single to right, but Christ notched a strikeout for the first out. Brooks Flory followed with a grounder to Kearney, who recorded the out at first on a fielder’s choice while Bowser moved to third.

Junior Brady Pleiman then singled to left, putting runners on the corners with two outs and the tying run at the plate.

Christ, fittingly, finished what he started, recording his 14th strikeout to lock down a key 3–0 WOAC victory for Arcanum.

Despite the loss, Newton coach Jordan Kopp saw plenty to like from his ballclub.

“That was a big play for them early on to get that ball out, that's a momentum thing,” Kopp said.

“Then we come back out and first batter we smoke the ball and they make a diving catch, keeping the momentum. But that’s the game of baseball—they get the big hit and deny us the big hit," Kopp added.

Newton senior Rhett Koffer stretches to the ball to get the force out in a tight game with Arcanum.

“But our kids never quit. You know, we got out of jams. We got guys on base, and we out-hit them five to three. But we struck out too many times. You have to give credit to Randy, his staff and their team. Regan's a really good pitcher, and he showed it tonight. Not too often in small school baseball do you see two of the top arms in the area, so this was good baseball.”

In the end, the difference was razor-thin: one walk, one swing, and one ace who refused to let go of the lead. If this game is any indication, the WOAC race will once again run straight through Arcanum and Newton—two programs built on strong pitching, timely hitting, and the kind of big-game moments that players like Quigney and Christ thrive on.

Arcanum's Regan Christ got his 3rd win, throwing a complete 5 hit shutout with 14 strikeouts in an 3-0 win over Newton.
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Tri-Village's Caley McCarroll is greeted at the plate from her team as the Patriots out hit Tri-County North in softball action for an 11-3 win.

LEWISBURG – Two of the top WOAC Softball Teams battled Thursday night with Tri-Village coming out on top 11-3 handing Tri-County North their first loss in the league.

The Patriots jumped out to a 3-0 lead plating one run in the first inning and two in the top of the third inning.

Aereonna Baker drove in Tai Mize in the first to get the PATS going.  Caley McCarrol doubled in the 3rd plating Baker and Hailey Burk to go up 3-0.

Jordan Pinion gets a base hit and later scored in game vs Tri-Village.

Tri-County North answered in the bottom half of the inning.  Bella Cherry and Jordan Pinion would hit back-to-back singles.  With two outs Lola Grieshop who had doubled once already turned on an inside fast ball and deposited it nearly 50 yards over the left field fence for a game tying 3-run homer breathing life into the Panthers.

Tri-County North sophomore Lola Grieshop sent one into the corn, a 3-run blast that tied the game in the 3rd inning.

Grieshop a sophomore is currently second in the WOAC with an average of .647 and has 22 hits and 3 homeruns.

Tri-Village Miley Bierly and Emma Greer started the fourth with back-to-back hits and both would eventually score on a wild pitches to go up 5-3.  Greer leads the conference with a .720 batting average and has 18 hits, 5 homeruns 15 rbi’s.  

A few batters later Caley McCarroll hammered her WOAC league leading 6th homerun of the year way over center field fence bringing in Baker to go in front 7-3.

McCarroll helped swing the momentum back in TV's favor with her league leading 6th homer.

“I think it's important to keep momentum on our side and to be able to swing back when the other team gets something going and we did that right away after Lola Grieshop’s homer.

We got a couple of hits to start the 4th by scoring a couple runs with good base running and then Caley’s big hit swung the momentum back our way,” Tri-Village coach Emily Osborne praised.

Elizabeth Poling added to the Patriots lead with a 3-run homer over the right field wall in the top of the 7th inning to go up 11-3. 

Poling also settled down and for the most part after the big 3rd inning by the Panthers she kept them in check going the distance on the hill throwing 10 strikeouts to pick up the win.

Elizabeth Poling not only can pitch, made it known she can swing the club as well with a 3-run dinger.

Poling now a 4th year pitcher for Tri-Village and coming into this game has only batted 15 times. She would get two opportunities to hit  late in the game and made one count for her first career homerun which prompted me to ask coach Osborne about her being at the plate.

“We’ve kind of protected her on the mound over the last three years because we weren’t deep in the pitching area and so we wanted to make sure that she was mentally prepared and focused on just that. Now that we have a few people behind her that can pitch as well, I think that we can give her some options. It's great to have options and she' been hitting it really well in the cage and been hitting well in practice. And so, every now and then we take a shot and see where it goes,” Osborne explained.

While Tri-County North fell short coach Shelly Lykins saw positive things to take away from the game.

“We came out ready to hit. We've been hitting well, and I think that carried on through tonight. We had seven hits which is good against a team like this, with pitching they have along with strong defense,” Lykins said.

“It was exciting to tie the game with that shot from Lola Grieshop … man that’s corn ball right there, that ball was way out,” Lykins exclaimed!

Freshman pitcher Alayna MtCastle will be a force in the WOAC for the next 4 years which pleases coach Shelly Lykins.

While North lost a lot to graduation they did reload with some talent mostly from the upper class but also a freshman pitcher.

“I threw a freshman pitcher Alyana MtCastle, she's the kind of freshman every person wants to get when come along and she's my only freshman this year,” Lykins stated.

I think she gave us a solid performance, but when you play Tri-Village they can just hit the ball better than we can and that's really the difference. They've got everybody in the lineup that can put the ball in play our defense was solid tonight, our pitching was solid, but they were better at the plate,” Lykins concluded.

Lola Grieshop and Jordan Pinion each had 2 hits for North with Grieshop getting all 3 rbi’s.  The Panthers fall to 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the WOAC.  They are back in action on Tuesday at Twin Valley South.

Tri-Village had 13 hits led by Aereonna Baker with 3 hits, 2 rbi, Tai Mize, Hailey Burk and Caley McCarroll each had 2 hits. McCarroll with 4 rbi and Poling 3 rbi off her homerun to lead the Patriots.  The Patriots improve to 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the WOAC.  They will play in the Newton Cancer Classic on Saturday in a double-header against Indian Lake and Riverside.

Tai Mize has been hitting well this season with 9 hits in 16 at bats. The Patriots as a team are batting .421 this year.
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