Roundup: Newark Catholic baseball rallies against Heath
Bryan McAnally's RBI single, Newark Catholic's fourth consecutive hit of the inning, capped a two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh, giving the Green Wave an exciting 6-5 Licking County League-Cardinal Division baseball win against visiting Heath on Friday.
The Bulldogs (14-2, 9-1) which saw a 10-game winning streak halted, had scored two in the top of the seventh to go up 5-4, as Connor Corbett's sacrifice fly scored Wyatt Binckley, who had doubled, and Conner Toomey came home on a two-out error.
But Troy Johnston singled, went to second on a wild pitch, and took third when winning reliever Kane Stephey singled sharply to left. Stephey then stole second, and Johnston scored on Miller Hutchison's infield single. With none out and the infield playing in, McAnally delivered the game winner up the middle.
NC (7-10, 5-7), which earlier lost 7-4 at Heath, had to come back twice. The Bulldogs led 3-1 in the fourth but committed three errors as the Green Wave forged ahead 4-3.
Johnston, Stephey and Hutchison had two hits each for the winners.
Hayden Woodward smacked a solo home run and losing pitcher Riley Baum tripled and doubled for Heath.
Lichtenauer sharp
Evan Lichtenauer pitched a five-hitter, striking out seven with just one walk Friday, and host Licking Valley maintained its LCL-Buckeye lead with a 4-0 win against Granville.
Lichtenauer and Gunner Bowman knocked in runs for the Panthers (14-1, 8-1) which won despite getting only three hits off losing pitcher Chase Holtzapple. He walked two and fanned five.
Jacob Smith doubled for the Blue Aces (8-7, 5-5).
Sprankle impressive
Mason Sprankle allowed only three Utica baserunners over six innings, two on errors, throwing a one-hitter with two strikeouts and no walks, as Lakewood downed Utica 10-0 Friday in the LCL-Cardinal.
Luke Pierce knocked in three runs with three singles for the Lancers (12-5, 8-4), and he had plenty of help. Jalen White doubled and singled with two RBIs, William Marrero lashed a double and two singles, Carter Anderson added two singles and Nate Gall doubled.
Roman Gamble singled for the only hit for the Redskins (8-9, 6-5) and Aidyn Burgess took the loss.
Johnstown rolls
Braeden Archibald delivered three RBIs Friday and Sam Marasek doubled and singled, scoring three runs in host Johnstown's 10-1 LCL-Cardinal win against Northridge.
Anthony Zirille added two singles for the Johnnies (5-10, 3-5) and Nash Andrix pitched 4.1 hitless innings to get the win, striking out nine. He and two relievers teamed for a three-hitter.
Riley Reeves doubled for the Vikings (1-18, 0-10) and Andrew Shay was losing pitcher.
Wildcats respond
Thomas Olon tossed a six-hitter Friday, fanning 11 and walking two, and host Newark ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-3 Ohio Conference Capital Conference-Buckeye Division win against Reynoldsburg.
Seth Fish plated three runs with a pair of singles for the Wildcats (10-7, 8-4), while Bodie Smith had two singles, and Moses Crane and Tyler Flint doubled.
SOFTBALL
Ernsberger stars
Ally Ernsberger pitched a five-hitter Friday, striking out 11 with three walks, and visiting Granville remained in LCL-Buckeye title contention with a 5-1 win against Licking Valley.
She also slammed a solo homer and two singles with two RBIs, and Sophia Patena whacked a two-run homer and two singles, going 3 for 3 with three RBIs for the Blue Aces (20-2, 10-1). Megan Lodge and Alyssa Guglielmi doubled and Avary King added two singles.
Abbe McNabb struck out nine in seven innings of relief for the Panthers (12-7, 6-4) and Hailey Small drove home the only run.
Utica explodes
Kaitlin Evans belted a pair of doubles and two singles Friday, going 4 for 4, scoring four runs and knocking in two as visiting Utica dumped Lakewood 11-4 in the LCL-Cardinal.
Emily Meyers added a triple and two singles with two RBIs for the Redskins (8-9, 6-6), winning pitcher Cheyenne Smith drove in three runs with a pair of singles, Lauren Schmitt drilled a double and two singles and Carlie Hill chipped in with two singles. Smith allowed only five hits in six innings.
Losing pitcher Dani Stewart slugged a two-run homer and Jaycie Montie doubled for the Lancers (10-6, 6-5), which fell out of a tie for first place in the loss column.
Johnnies cruise
Peyton Mischel twirled a five-inning four-hitter Friday, striking out two and walking none, and also doubled and singled in an 11-1 LCL-Cardinal victory against visiting Northridge.
Jenna Hochanadel pounded a homer and double with two RBIs for the Johnnies (5-14, 2-9), while Riley Stefanick ripped a double and two singles with two RBIs and Aubrey Del Cecato doubled and knocked in three runs.
Addison Moore homered for the Vikings (4-13, 2-10) and Gracie Smith was losing pitcher.
Hornets go deep
Visiting Licking Heights slammed four home runs Friday, including two by Savanna Christ with four RBIs in a 19-9 non-league romp against Reynoldsburg.
Ava Von Bargen and Lily Meidl each homered and singled with three RBIs for the Hornets (9-8), while winning pitcher Lydia Rauch drove home two runs, Evie Hays doubled with two RBIs and Kelsey Carter also doubled.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Heights defeated
Licking Heights played host Mount Vernon tough Thursday before dropping a 24-26, 20-25, 24-16 match.
Pabin Bista had five kills and Cleveland Brown Jr. added four kills and three aces for the Hornets.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Roundup: Newark Catholic baseball rallies against Heath
