SPORTS: Local Teams Cruise To Blow Out Victories

The Ellwood City Varsity Softball made quick work of Quaker Valley in a doubleheader sweep Monday while both the Riverside and Ellwood City boys baseball teams earned blow out victories.

Wolverines Softball Sweeps Quaker Valley; Showdown With Avonworth Wednesday

A young and inexperienced Quaker Valley squad visited Steifel Park Monday for a doubleheader and the Lady Wolverines took care of business in workman like fashion. The mercy rule halted both games after 3 innings as Ellwood City won by scores of 18-0 and 17-0.

Nine players had at least one hit on the day. Kyla Servick led the way with six hits, including a triple. Keira Rozanski finished with four. Angie Nardone, Aliya Garroway, Mollie Street, and Sara Schwarz contributed three. Liz Mihalko had two base knocks on the afternoon and Paige Wearing had one. Ellie Kalantzis and Julia Nardone did not have an official at bat as they both walked in their plate appearances.

Freshman Schwarz got her first varsity wins in the circle as she pitched all six innings. She threw two shutouts fanning 15 without walking a batter. She yielded just 2 hits.

The Lady Wolverines will have their biggest game of the season on Wednesday as Avonworth visits Steifel Park for a 7:00 p.m. rematch. The winner will most likely wrap up or share the section title. Ellwood City is now 8-1 on the season and 6-1 in section play.

Fourth Inning Plays Key Role In Wolverines Blow Out Over Beaver Falls

Ellwood City varsity baseball put up seven runs in the fourth on its way to a 12-2 victory over Beaver Falls on Monday.

The Wolverines big bats were led by Ryan Widmaier, Alexander Roth, Ashton Wilson, Nick Magnifico, and Joseph Roth, all knocking in runs in the inning.

In the first inning, Beaver Falls got their offense started when Tyler Cunningham singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run but Ellwood City was able to respond with three runs in the third inning.

In the third Wilson singled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run and Tyler Cain’s wild pitch allowed two runs to score for Ellwood City.

Wilson led Ellwood City with two hits in four at bats and collected a team-high three RBIs in the victory.

Magnifico was the winning pitcher for Ellwood City. The bulldog went four innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out four and walking zero. Owen Andrews threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.

Cain took the loss for Beaver Falls. The pitcher lasted three innings, allowing two hits and three runs while striking out two.

Ellwood City, now 4-6 overall, will next host Beaver Falls at home on Tuesday in the finale of the home-and-home series with the Tigers.

Panthers Claim Blow-Out Victory Over South Side, 14-3

Riverside asserted their will over South Side on their way to an easy 14-3 victory on Monday.

After South Side opened up the scoring in the first inning, the Panthers knotted the game up at one in the top of the second inning. Sammy Barber’s sac fly scored one run for Riverside.

Riverside pulled away for good with three runs in the third inning and six runs in the fourth inning.

In the third Mitch Garvin singled on a 2-0 count, scoring two runs and in the fourth inning were led by a walk by Garvin and a single by Bo Fornataro.

Christian Lucarelli pitched Riverside to victory. The pitcher went two innings, allowing zero runs on zero hits, striking out three and walking zero. Shawn Kristophel threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Ronnie Harper started the game for the Panthers. The southpaw allowed two hits and one run over one inning, walking zero.

Riverside racked up 17 hits in the game. Ashton Schlosser (3-4, 2 runs), Evan Burry (3-4, 3 runs), Fornataro (3-4, 2 RBIs), Darren McDade (2-4, 2 runs), and Madden Boehm (2-4, 2 runs) all collected multiple hits for Riverside. Boehm and Hunter Garvin smacked doubles while Darren McDade collected a triple for Riverside.

DJ Basso took the loss for South Side. The pitcher allowed 11 hits and nine runs over three and a third innings. Carter Wilson went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead South Side in hits.

Riverside, now 10-1 overall, will next host South Side on Tuesday to complete the back end of the home-and-home series.