Faulkner, Caldwell lead Jay to ACAC in

WOODBURN — Quinn Faulkner and Blake Caldwell hit their first career home runs Tuesday.

They followed that effort with even more fireworks Friday night.

Faulkner had a career-high five hits and Caldwell went deep once again in leading the Jay County High School baseball team to an Allen County Athletic Conference win, 10-5, over the Woodlan Warriors.

Jay County (5-3, 1-0 ACAC), which never trailed, opened the night with a three-spot in the first inning thanks to a three-run shot from Caldwell, the second homer of his career and second in as many games.

The Patriots added two runs in the third inning on RBI singles from Austin Curts and Sam Dunlavy ahead of a four-run fourth. Crosby Heniser, Dusty Pearson and Caldwell each recorded RBIs.

Heniser added an RBI single in the fifth, and then after Woodlan finally scored five runs in the home half of the fifth, the Patriots tacked on their final run in the seventh.

Faulkner was 5-for-5 with two doubles, while Gavin Myers and Pearson each had a double. Caldwell finished with three RBIs, while Heniser knocked in two runs. Dunlavy, Curts and Heniser also had multi-hit games.

Pearson picked up his fifth win of the season, allowing four earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.



Woodlan walks off

WOODBURN — Two errors in the final inning allowed the game-winning run to score as the Jay County softball team lost to the Woodlan Warriors on Friday, 4-3.

The Patriots fall to 7-4 (0-1 Allen County Athletic Conference).

With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, an error gave Woodlan a runner on base before a Warrior strikeout. A single put runners on first and second, and another error allowed the winning run to score from second.

Jay County had a lead, 2-0, after the second inning but saw it turn into a one-run deficit as Woodlan scored a run in the third inning and two in the fourth. The Patriots tied it up, however, in the sixth, ahead of Woodlan’s walk off.

Rieley Brewster led the Patriots with two hits, including a double, and she added a walk. Riah Champ hit a solo home run, while Olivia Bright also had a hit. Taylor Brown and Mady Fraley each collected an RBI.

Haleigh Clayton suffered the loss, allowing four runs — two earned — on four hits in 6 1/3 innings. She struck out two and didn’t issue a walk.  



Homers snap streak

ARCANUM, Ohio — Chloe Grisez and Jackie Homan each hit two home runs as the Fort Recovery softball team snapped a six-game losing streak with a 9-3 win against the Arcanum Trojans on Friday night.

Homan went deep for the first time in the game’s first inning, hitting a two-run shot to make it 3-0. She then homered in back-to-back at bats in the second frame with another two-run blast. Grisez first round-tripper of the night came in the fifth, and her second was two innings later.

Grisez also hit a double in going 4-for-4 with four RBIs. Jackie Homan knocked in four runs. Brenna Homan contributed three singles and an RBI.

Jackie Homan got the win, allowing three runs — one earned — on six hits. She struck out two and didn’t issue a walk in the complete-game effort. 



Patriots top Red Devils

RICHMOND — Jay County’s girls tennis team grabbed a 4-1 victory against the Richmond Red Devils on Friday night.

Grace Brewster and Lyric Garringer won their singles matches for the Patriots (6-2).

Brewster won her No. 1 singles match by a 7-5, 7-6 margin, while Garringer got a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles.

Madison Dirksen and Rachel Muhlenkamp had a 6-2, 6-2 No. 1 doubles victory, while Lilly Hedges and Holly Hemmelgarn got a 6-1, 6-0 victory in their No. 2 singles match.

Kierston Block fell at No. 3 singles 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In junior varsity action, Courtney Benter got an 8-6 win. Heaven Hambrock and Chelsea Blankenship combined for an 8-3 doubles victory, while Allison Byrum and Paulina Esquivel had an 8-1 doubles win.