Patriots can’t rally past Bellmont

DECATUR — The Patriots came from behind to get their win Monday.

They weren’t able to recreate the magic a day later.

The Jay County High School softball team got in a nine-run hole after the first inning and had a rally come up short in an 11-8 loss to Bellmont on Tuesday.

Bellmont, which won three straight sectional titles from 2017 to ’19, is ranked sixth in Class 3A.

Jay County (1-1) trailed 10-1 after the first inning, and cut the deficit to just two with four runs in the second, one in the third and a pair in the fourth. Bellmont, which had a 13-12 advantage in the hit column, got an insurance run in the fifth inning and the Patriots weren’t able to score again.

Mady Fraley had a double, a single and three RBIs, and Olivia Bright added a double. Aubrie Schwieterman collected three RBIs on a triple and a pair of walks. Mattie Ardizzone had two singles for the first hits of her varsity career.

Rieley Brewster, Renna Schwieterman, Maddy Rinker and Haleigh Clayton all had singles as well.

Taylor Brown suffered the loss, allowing nine earned runs on nine hits while recording just one out.



Indians trounce Jets

SIDNEY, Ohio — A 12-run third inning helped the Fort Recovery softball team to a 22-0 victory over the host Fairlawn Jets in five innings Tuesday.

The Indians (5-2) were ahead 3-0 after the first inning before breaking the game wide open in the third. The Tribe added five runs in the fourth and a pair of runs in the fifth for the lopsided victory.

Maddie Guggenbiller hit her fourth home run of the season, and Jackie Homan also went deep for the Tribe. Guggenbiller added a pair of doubles, finishing with four hits and five RBIs. Sophie Pearson had two triples and two RBIs, Brenna Homan had two doubles and a single. Jackie Homan knocked in four runs on three hits as Fort Recovery out-hit the Jets 16-2.

Pearson earned the win pitching. She struck out seven and walked one in three hitless, shutout innings.



Jay falls to Stars

BERNE — Jay County’s JV softball team fell to the South Adams Starfires 9-2 Tuesday.

Jay County (1-1) trailed 1-0 after the first inning and 3-0 after the second. The Patriots cut the deficit to just one with a pair of runs in the third frame.

But the Starfires pulled away with a run in the fifth inning and two each in the sixth and seventh innings.

Verionique Coppock had one hit with two stolen bases.