Jay baseball drops two

A walk-off doomed the Patriots on Saturday. A few errors spelled the end Monday.

Jay County High School’s baseball team dropped a pair of games recently, and is now 1-2 on the season.

The Patriots lost 10-9 on a walk-off single to the Mississinewa Indians on Saturday morning in Gas City, then fell 12-0 Monday at home to the Coldwater Cavaliers.

Against the Indians, Jay County scored four runs in the fifth inning and two in the seventh for a 9-8 lead. But the Indians tied the game in the home half of the frame before getting a two-out, walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh.

Blake Caldwell led the Patriots in the loss with a double, a single and four RBIs. Quinn Faulkner added a single and two RBIs, while Dusty Pearson and Josh Dowlen each drove in two runs without getting a hit.

Austin Curts took the loss, allowing two runs — one earned — on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts in three innings of relief.

On Monday, Jay County fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and was never able to get its offense going. The Cavaliers, who won the 2019 OHSAA Division III state championship, added another run in the third inning before striking for nine runs in the sixth. Coldwater got a double, two singles and a walk in the inning while benefitting form three JCHS errors. Sam Myers doubled for the Patriots, and Crosby Heniser, Kess McBride and Curts all had singles.

Heniser suffered the loss, surrendering three earned runs on five hits. He struck out a half dozen and walked a pair in five innings.



Late rally sinks FR

VAN WERT, Ohio — A late rally handed the Fort Recovery baseball team a 2-1 loss to the host Lincolnview Lancers on Monday.

Fort Recovery (3-3), which has lost back-to-back games, jumped out front 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning. Ryne Post and Cobe Wendel hit back-to-back singles, and then Post scored on a double steal.

The Lancers tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on a double, then got the eventual game-winning run on a passed ball in the same frame.

Riggs Tobe also had a hit for the Indians.

Freshman Troy Homan took the loss, allowing two runs — one earned — on three hits over six innings. He struck out five and walked one.



Patriots top Tigers

HAGERSTOWN — Jay County’s girls tennis team moved to 2-0 on the season Saturday with a 4-1 victory against the Hagerstown Tigers.

Both doubles teams for the Patriots did not surrender a game in their victories. Madison Dirksen and Rachel Muhlenkamp won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles, while Lilly Hedges and Holly Hemmelgarn won by the same margin in their No. 2 doubles contest.

Kierston Blunk grabbed a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 3 singles, and Lyric Garringer won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 singles.

Grace Brewster fell 6-0, 7-5 at No. 1 singles.

In junior varsity action, Courtney Benter, Brenna Haines and Heaven Hambrock all got singles victories. Melana Zimmerman and Haylee Zimmerman teamed for a doubles win.



Girls open with win

The Jay County junior high girls track team opened its season Monday by taking first place over Southern Wells Raiders and Adams Central Jets.

The host Patriots scored 55 points for the win. Southern Wells (49) was the runner-up, and Adams Central (33) placed third.

Jay County’s boys scored 41.5 points for second, behind Southern Wells (55) and ahead of Adams Central (39.5).

Morgan DeHoff and Kenzie Huey had two wins apiece for Jay County’s girls. DeHoff was victorious in hurdles and long jump, while Huey beat the field in shot put and discus.

Jenna Dues (200-meter dash) and Mya Kunkler (high jump) also had individual wins, while the Patriots’ 4x100 relay team took first.

Garrett Hiday (200 dash), Adam Alig (shot put) and Joseph Boggs (long jump) all had single victories. Jay County’s 4x400 relay also placed first.