Brother blasts lift Jay baseball

HARTFORD CITY — Wyatt and Jacob Geesaman haven’t been able to lead the Patriots as the battery this year.

Wyatt, a sophomore, hasn’t made his season debut on the mound yet because of an arm issue.

Instead they used their bats on Tuesday to propel the Patriots to a victory.

The Geesaman brothers both went yard, launching home runs in leading the Jay County High School baseball team to a 7-1 victory over the host Blackford Bruins.

It was the 11th consecutive victory for the Patriots, who improve to 14-3 on the year.

Wyatt Geesaman hit a solo shot in the third inning to give Jay County a 1-0 advantage, and his senior brother Jacob hit a two-run shot in the next inning. Blackford scored its only run in the home half of the fifth inning before Jay County tacked on one run in the sixth and three in the seventh.

Jacob Geesaman added a single and drove in four runs, while Max Moser had a double and a single with an RBI. Cole Stigleman, Mitchel Frasher and Payton Heniser each had singles.

Gaven Hare notched the win. He allowed one earned run on four hits, struck out nine and walked two in 5 1/3 innings. Hare improved to 5-1 on the year, taking the team lead in wins.



Finnerty leads JC

PARKER CITY — Kady Finnerty blasted two home runs Tuesday, leading the Jay County softball team to a 12-7 victory over the host Monroe Central Golden Bears.

Jay County (7-8) scored three runs in the second inning for a 3-1 advantage. The Patriots held a 7-4 lead after the third inning, and added an insurance run one inning later. Monroe Central cut the deficit in half with two runs in the fifth inning, and Jay County put up four more in the sixth for the win.

Finnerty drove in four runs to lead the Patriots. Hannah Phillips notched two hits, two RBIs and two runs. Emily Corn had a pair of singles and drove in a run. Hannah Chapman, Chloe Trissel and Catera Gierhart each had hits.

Gwen Butcher got the win, improving to 4-4 on the year.



Stars third

GENEVA — The South Adams boys golf team finished third in a three-team meet on Tuesday at Golf Club of the Limberlost.

Eastbrook shot 164 to win, beating Oak Hill by two strokes. South Adams totaled 188 for third.

Jake Rife posted a season-low 43 to lead the Starfires. David Muselman was one stroke behind at 44. Nick Wurster was third on the team with a 48, and J.D. Groh completed the South Adams team score with 53.

Nate Bollenbacher made his varsity debut and he shot 68.



Three honored

A trio of Fort Recovery softball players earned all-Midwest Athletic Conference honors Tuesday.

Seniors Emily Hart and Devin Post, and freshman Rachel Thien, were all named honorable mention all-conference.

Fort Recovery finished the year 3-18 (1-6 MAC). The Indians defeated St. Henry 3-2 April 13 for its first conference win since 2011.

Post earned honorable mention last year as well.



Golfers beat Bears

FARMLAND — Jay County’s middle school golf team won a six-hole match against Monroe Central Golden Bears on Tuesday at Hickory Hills Golf Club, 120-158.

Griffin Mann and Kyle Sanders both shot 37 to lead the way. Landon Grimes was two strokes behind at 39, while Matthew Hall and Aiden Garlinger both had 45 to complete the team score.

Isaac Braun and Mitchell Brown also competed, and they shot 46.



Pak-A-Sak wins

Pak-A-Sak picked up a 15-8 victory over Barnett’s Auto Parts on Tuesday in Portland Junior League’s Rookie baseball action.

Alex Miller, Freddie Lingo and Kellan Keyes each had four hits to lead Pak-A-Sak. Aryon Montes and Eli Stockton had three hits apiece, while Braden O’Brien and Trevor Jones both had two hits.

Boston Barnett smacked two home runs and a double for Barnett’s. Benson Barnett added two hits, scored twice and had an RBI. Gavin Thomas chipped in two hits, while Chase Bragg and Skyler Esparza added one hit apiece.