Comeback falls short for Jay Co.

The Patriots had a chance at a come-from-behind victory on Thursday for the second time in as many games.
But like Tuesday, the rally fell short.
Jay County scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Northeastern Knights held off the Patriot rally in an 8-5 win.
Northeastern scored three runs in the second inning to nab a 3-1 lead, and pushed its advantage to three with another run in the third. Jay County (13-12) plated runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to get within one, but a four-spot in the seventh put the Knights up 8-3.
Jay County mounted its comeback with a pair of runs in the seventh, but couldn’t complete the rally.
Gabby Hart smacked a pair of doubles and drove in a run to lead the Patriot offense. Catherine Dunn contributed two singles and an RBI, and Chloe Steigerwalt also had a pair of hits.
Kady Finnerty, Chloe Trissel and Emily Corn also had singles for Jay County.

Bellmont beats Jay
DECATUR — Jay County’s baseball team committed seven errors in a 10-1 loss Thursday to the Bellmont Braves.
Jay County (10-12) scored its only run of the game in the top of the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Ethan Myers. Bellmont struck for five runs in the bottom of the frame, thanks to a pair of Patriot errors and a three-run home run by Josh Brune off JCHS starter Chandler Jacks.
The Braves (17-4) tacked on three more in the third and two in the fifth for the lopsided win.
Cole Stigleman had two singles for Jay County. Jacob Geesaman and Mitchell Kunkler each had singles, and Tanner Reynolds hit a double.
Jacks was losing pitcher, allowing all 10 runs — only two were earned — on six hits. He struck out one in five innings of work. Jake Carpenter had a flawless inning of relief.
Jordan Hilyard got the win for Bellmont, scattering five hits and striking out five. He gave up one unearned run and walked one.

Big inning lifts Raiders
SELMA — A six-run second inning powered the Class 2A No. 3 Wapahani Raider softball team to a 10-1 win Wednesday against South Adams.
The Raiders scored once in the first inning before exploding for six in the second. South Adams (11-12) scored a run in the second on an RBI double by Jade Jauregui, scoring Morgan Alberson.
Wapahani added two runs in the third and tacked on one more in the fifth for the win.
Casi Evans, Cindy In’t Groen and Alberson each had hits for South Adams, and Loren Sparks drew a walk.
Alberson took the loss pitching, allowing seven runs — six earned — on six hits. She also walked three in two innings.

Frontline tops Berne
Frontline Construction outlasted First Bank of Berne 13-11 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday in Portland Junior League’s Minor softball division.
The two teams were tied at 18 in the second game when it was called because of darkness.
Renna Schwieterman had four hits and scored three runs for Frontline in the first game. Madison Wenk added three hits and three runs. Grace Maitlen had three hits and scored twice for First Bank of Berne, with Kylie Morningstar tallying two hits and a pair of runs.
In the nightcap, Maebry Ninde had three hits and scored three times for First Bank of Berne. Jayden Claytor added four runs on three hits.
Tricia Ison paced Frontline with two hits and two runs.