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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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Jordyn Garbig knocked home a few runs. The Trojans scored in every inning to secure a 13-9 win over Newton in WOAC opener for both teams.

PLEASANT HILL – Arcanum scored in every inning, and it would be needed to pull out a 13-9 win over Newton in the first WOAC softball action of the year for both teams.

Arcanum entered the game with a 1-4 record with a double header loss to Oxford Talawanda to start the year.  They dropped a tough one in extra innings to a good Covington team 8-5 and also lost in extra innings to Beavercreek 4-3.

The losses hurt but at the same time they serve to challenge the team, playing good competition early helps prepare for league play and the WOAC has a number of good teams looking to challenge for a league title.

Newton came into the game with a 4-2 record and opened the year with a double header loss to Northwestern but then beat Tecumseh, Milton Union, Houston and Brookville 20-16.

Ironically, Arcanum also played Brookville and defeated them 19-15 in dramatic fashion with a grand slam home run from Jordyn Garbig to pull out the victory.

So, it was no surprise that the game between Newton and Arcanum would be a tight game.

Arcanum struck first plating two runs in the top of the 1st inning.  Grace Fry led off the game with a hit, she would collect three in the game.  She scored on a hit from Jordyn Garbig and then Garbig stole second and then scored on an error on a hard-hit ball from Matty Noe for a 2-0 lead.

The Indians got one back in the bottom half of the inning when Mya Denlinger who reached on an error then stole 2nd and scored on a hit to center from Isabelle Prickett to make the score 2-1.

Arcanum added a run in the 2nd inning in a repeat performance from Fry getting on and Jordyn Garbig getting her home to go up 3-1.

Cam Garbig was on the bump for the Trojans, and she would pitch a scoreless 2nd inning.

Arcanum expanded their lead in the 3rd inning with Matty Noe getting things started with a double off pitcher Isabelle Pritchett.  An error would advance Noe to 3rd and a Claire Hein ended up at second.  Noe then stole home and Hein went to third on an error.  She would get home then on a ground ball from Merideth Laux to make the score 5-1.

Newton added a run in the bottom of the inning on a fielder’s choice hit from Jersey Robinson that got Mya Denlinger home to make the score 5-2.

Newton's Jersey Robinson gets solid contact and drives home a run.

Arcanum got a run in the top of the 4th, and you guessed it Fry scored on a hard-hit ball to second from Garbig to going up 6-2.

Back came Newton with two runs in the bottom half.  Freshman Tylea Jackson gets a one out line drive to fall in left field.  Jackson scored on a ground ball by Audrey Miller along with Kaelyn Petry who drew a walk in the inning to make the score 6-4.

It was at this point I heard the 1st base umpire say everything was bang bang so far, with plenty of action every inning … and it would continue.

Arcanum’s Rees Hoffman scored on Ella Flatter bunt to go up 7-4 … but Newton would tie the game at 7-7 at the end of the 5th inning.

Arcanum made a pitching change going into the bottom of the 5th inning with Brynn Byers taking the mound. 

Newton got a lead-off hit from sophomore Brynnasen Fiely and she advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch.  Prickett got on by an error and Fiely advanced to 3rd.

Fiely then score on a rbi hit from Robinson.  Ella Bayer reached on an error that also scored Prickett.  The Indians Robinson scored on a couple of errors and the Indians were looking to add more runs until Arcanum turned a double play to keep the score deadlocked at 7-7.

Audrey Miller hails the bench after hitting a double.

Claire Hein delivered a rbi in the 6th inning bringing home Jordyn Garbig to put the Trojans back in front 8-7.  Arcanum would score 5 runs in the inning to push their lead to 12-7.  Hein came home on a Laux single.  Baker became a courtesy runner and stole 2nd.  Baker scored on a passed ball with Baker going to 3rd. Flatter singled bringing Baker in and then Ashlyn Tetgmeyer scored the final run in the inning on an error.

Newton got two of the runs back in bottom of the inning.  Freshman McKenzie Sheridan got on base and that was followed up with single by Audrey Miller  who had 3 hits in the game along with 2 RBI’s.  Fiely singled  and Sheridan scored on the play.  Robinson picked up her 2nd hit to go with 2 RBI’s which scored Denlinger to make the score 12-9 heading into the seventh inning.

Arcanum picked up an insurance run to score in every inning.  Noe led off with a hit, stole second and third and then scored on a pass ball to go up 13-9.

Newton would have one last opportunity at the plate but were set down 1-2-3 by Byers including a strikeout, the only one of the game for Newton who did a good job of drawing walks or getting the bat on the ball.

Arcanum got 4.1 innings from Garbig who gave up 4 runs only 1 earned.  Byers went 2.2 innings gave up 5 runs with 4 being earned and the one strikeout to get the win.

Newton sophomore Pritchett threw all 7 innings for the Indians giving up 13 runs, 5 earned, 5 walks and one strikeout in the loss.

Sophomore pitcher Isabelle Prickett went the distance in game verses Arcanum on the mound. 

Each team collected 12 hits and when you look at the numbers it was a fairly even game that all boiled down and mistakes and execution.

Arcanum coach Mike Morris was pleased with his team at the plate but know they need to improve on defense.

“We hit the ball really well and ran the bases well too and stole a bunch of bases,” Morris stated.

However, he knows the mistakes they are making as a young team sometimes makes it difficult to relax and finish strong.

Grace Fry collects one of her 3 hits on the night.

“They (Newton) are a young team and they we're making mistakes, which you might expect however, we're an older team so making the same mistakes shouldn't happen and we've got to fix it,” Morris explained.

“We've been working on situations but sometimes early in the year you don’t get in the groove, we’re not a deep bench so we got to clean it up on defense,” Morris added.

Despite that Morris is happy to get a win because he knows in the WOAC every one of them matter.

“Newton has a great coach. They've got a very young team with talent, and they're dangerous. They don't quit either. So, it was just good to get the first league win tonight against them because they are going to win a lot of game,” Morris concluded.

Newton coach Kayla McEldowney while disappointed in the loss knows patience is needed with a young team … but sees a lot of positive things happening and a winning attitude to build on.

“I told our girls post-game that I'm proud of them, because sometimes, especially with a young team, you make some errors and then fold. But we just keep fighting. And I love that about them, it doesn't matter. We're going to keep doing our thing. I also love that they  know they didn't play to their potential and I don’t have to sit there and tell them and they are ready to get back into practice to work on things.  That type of attitude and work ethic will pay off by the end of the season, where we can compete with good teams like Arcanum and start winning them,” McEldowney said.

“Tonight we got a good effort from our sophomore pitcher Isabel Prickett.  She's our go to and the amount of growth that she's shown since being a freshman, and the mind set when  your team's making errors behind you didn’t phase her and she keeps plugging away without hanging her head, plus she’s a big bat in our lineup,” McEldowney praised.

“Another leader for us is junior shortstop Maya denlinger, she's kind of a vocal leader, and at the top of our lineup, she kind of gets us going which I expect from her to kind of lead the younger ones. So, we're growing and learning as a team, it's just painful growth, and this game is a lesson for us early on and we can learn and maybe win these types of games going forward,” McEldowney concluded.

Newton fell to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in the WOAC and will play a non-league game on Saturday hosting West Liberty Salem.  They will then go to Bradford for a WOAC game on Tuesday.

Arcanum improved to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in the WOAC.  They will travel to Brookville Friday in a rematch of their 19-14 win a week ago and then play at Ansonia on Tuesday in a big WOAC showdown.


Freshman 2nd baseball Tylea Jackson chases down Grace Fry tagging her out in a run down.

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Elizabeth Poling threw a 5-hitter to record a 10-1 win at Ansonia in an early season showdown between two of the top WOAC softball teams.

Story & Photos by Dale Barger

ANSONIA – Tri-Village baseball and softball on the strength of good pitching and timely hitting collected wins over Ansonia in their first WOAC league games this year. 

Ansonia held a ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the game to open up their beautiful new softball/baseball complex.

Tri-Village’s Emma Greer christened the event scoring the first run in the new complex on a first pitch homerun to quickly get the Patriots on the scoreboard 1-0. 

Emma Greer christened the new baseball/softball complex with a first pitch dinger over the left field fence.

It would be an early showdown between two of the top teams in the league last year and both expected to challenge for a title again this year. 

Ansonia was looking to pick up where they left off last season with a 16-12 record and a district championship in 2025.  They won their first three games to start 2026 with two wins over Eaton in a doubleheader and a 15-0 shutout over Ft. Recovery.

The Tigers much like the Patriots have put together a very strong non-conference schedule to prepare them for strong WOAC league competition and post season play.

Tri-Village is coming off their historic 30-0 state championship season and like Ansonia return a majority of their roster from last year. 

The Patriots started off this year with a win over Greenville but fell to perennial powers Oak Hill and Springfield Shawnee.  They picked up a win over Russia and then got the 10-1 WOAC win over Ansonia Monday night.

Junior Kaley Brandon would go 3-3 at the plate and scored two runs for the PATS.

Last year’s pitching ace for Tri-Village, Elizabeth Poling would have a good night in the circle going the distance.  She threw 7 innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and had 11 strikeouts to get the win.

The Patriots banged out 18 hits with  Aereonna Baker going 3-4, 2 rbi, Tai Mize 3-4, 3 rbi, 2 runs, Miley Bierly 3-4, 2 rbi, 2 runs, Cameron Osborne 3-4, 1 run, Kaley Brandon 3-3, 2 runs and Emma Greer 2-3, 2 rbi and 2 runs scored.

Coach Emily Osborne talked about the success her team had at the plate verses Ansonia.

“We've really been working on our strategy at bat and trying to be team players. I think that kind of came through today by making sure that we're putting the ball in play. We’ll continue working on making sure we have runners on and finding a way to sacrifice getting them home,” Osborne explained.

Emma Greer would take matters in her own hands to start the game with her own shot to left field.

“That was fun with her leadoff homerun and the confidence it provides coming back to the team. I always tell her to make us believers, with the lead off it’s their job to make us believers, that we all can go up to bat and hit, and the homerun was just a bonus,” Osborne commented.

Mylee Bierly legs out a hit as Lillian Kaiser hauls in the throw from the third baseman.

And while the sticks were hot, the pitching performance was on point as well.

“Our pitching was nice, Liz was working hard on the mound as always and Ray did a good job blocking balls as we're working through some different pitches,” Osborne pointed out.

“We also got some good defensive plays to support the cause. They hit it over here to our hot corner a few different times. And she (Emma) was able to make awesome throws to first.  They found some holes, because they are a good team … but we did a good job making sure they didn’t string several together,” Osborne stated.

Coach David Fisherback knows the softball season encompasses a lot of games and the early schedule was going to be a challenge.

Miley Walls drives in the only run for the Tigers who dropped a 10-1 decision to TV.

“If I had circled a couple games on our schedule that we didn’t win would I be disappointed?  Both Covington and Tri-Village are two that I’m not terribly upset about,” Fisherback stated.

“We're continuing to battle walks from our pitching staff and we're working on it and getting better.  We finally started hitting the ball at the end here against Tri-Village,” Fisherback added.

The Tigers collected 5 hits against Poling with Lilly Perry going 2-3, 1 run, Miley Walls was 1-3, 1 rbi, and Addison Geyer and Abby Klingshirn went 1-3 at the plate.

Senior Abby Klingshirn throws in relief in game vs Tri-Village.

The Tigers will be back in WOAC action on Thursday traveling to Tri-County North and the Patriots will be at Preble Shawnee.

In baseball action Tri-Village also took a 6-3 win spoiling the opener to the Tigers new baseball field.

The Patriots got a good effort on the bump from junior Lucas Brown who threw a 4-hitter and helped himself at the plate with a single and a rbi as well.

TV jr. hurler Lucas Brown tossed a 4-hitter going the distance in a 6-3 win over Ansonia.

“Brown kept his pitch count way down and threw a nice game for us,” Tri-Village coach Josh Davies stated. 

“He has experience and we are expecting a big year out of him,” Davies added.

Davies was pleased to see his team open up WOAC play with a win and feels he has a team of guys who can win games in a number of ways.

“I have complete confidence in this line-up – one through nine, they can do some damage.  Since the start of practices, we have hit the ground running.  We’ve been hitting the ball well on the barrel and playing good defense, so I’m really excited about these guys.”  Davies explained.

Sophomore Staley Colston knocked a couple of hits & had two rbi's in win over Ansonia.

Ansonia has a new head coach, TJ Phlipot who was pleased to see his team fight back after getting down 6-1 and putting a little pressure on the Patriots closing to 6-3 with runners on in the bottom of the 7th inning.

“We’re a young ball club.  We had adversity early on, but the kids didn’t give up.  I’m really proud of them for that, we showed some fire at the end … but we need to start a little faster and make the plays presented to us,” Philpot stated.

Ansonia frosh Sam Evers got the start & will be a future force as a pitcher for the Tigers.

Patriot’s Ryker Marshall got things rolling for TV with an RBI Double to start the game.  Lucas Brown got an RBI single in the third and later scored.  Staley Colston rapped a rbi double as well to put the Patriots up 4-0.

The Tigers would answer in the 4th inning with Karsen Weiss getting on with a base hit and he would score on a hit from Jacob MacNutt later in the inning to make the score 4-1.

The Patriots scored two more in the 5th inning with Colston getting another hit and RBI to put the PATS up 6-1.

Ansonia rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning when Brown who had thrown well beaned back-to-back hitters.  A double from Jaden Dakin plated two runs to make the score 6-3 but Brown worked his way out of the jam and then struck out back-to-back hitters to get the win.

While the Tigers didn’t get the win, coach Phlipot is optimistic with some young talent and a nice new facility that they can get the program going in the right direction.

Ansonia will play at Tri-County North on Thursday while Tri-Village next league game will be on Tuesday when they host Mississinawa Valley.

Ansonia freshman Jaden Dakin hit a 2 run big double in the bottom of the 7th but the rally fell short with the Patriots getting a 6-3 win to start WOAC conference play.
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