Champ named to 1st team

Riah Champ led the Patriots in most offensive categories in 2023.

It led her to an All-Allen County Athletic Conference selection.

The Jay County High School sophomore was one of five Patriots selected to an All-ACAC team Thursday.

Champ’s team-best .576 batting average, 12 home runs, 52 RBIs and 45 runs earned her a spot as an infielder on the All-ACAC first team.

Four Patriots were selected to the All-ACAC second team. Mallory Winner was selected as a pitcher, Jaelynn Lykins as a catcher, Renna Schwieterman as an infielder and Janae Jacobs as an outfielder.

Jacobs and Schwieterman graduate while sophomores Winner and Lykins are set to return in 2024.

Jay County tied Woodlan for the most players selected to the two teams at five. Woodlan had three players selected to the first team and two to the second team.



Rockets fall

The Portland Rockets lost 9-2 to the Fort Wayne Jackers at Runkle-Miller Field on Thursday.

The Rockets jumped out to an early 2-1 lead over the Jackers. A first-inning double from Jared Holley and a second-inning single by Tyler Jakob drove in the runs.

The Rockets started to slip as Garrison Brege struggled through the third inning, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks.

The Jackers would shut Portland out after the two early runs. Garret Weijak, Jake Howe and Martin Eckard combined to give up only two hits in the final seven innings.

The Jackers scored two runs in the fourth and seventh innings, and an extra in the sixth.



Loy’s skates by

Loy’s Realty won a 6-5 ballgame against Portland Forge of Portland Junior League Sandy Kofax baseball Thursday.

Caleb Sibray had a part in all of the action, hitting two singles, driving in a run, and scoring twice.

Arian Montes and Danton Hanlon both tallied an RBI while Grant Fennig had an RBI and scored twice.

Kayden Carpenter was the only player who had a hit for Portland Forge.



Winning Williams

Williams Auto Parts won their game against Matt’s Garage in Portland Junior League Rookie baseball on Thursday 14-8.

Williams Auto Parts had 21 hits in the game, nearly 40% came from Hayden Franks and Parker Huntsman, who each had two doubles and three runs. Franks also hit a triple and an inside-the-park home run, driving in five runs. Huntsman’s other two hits were singles, driving in two runs in his four at bats.

Matt’s Garage had three players with three singles, including Jaxon Allred with four RBIs.



Four-run 1st

The Portland All Stars 8-and-younger softball team beat Monroe Central 7-6 on Thursday thanks to a four-run first inning.

Carsyn Guggenbiller led the All Stars with a triple and three singles. Both Kynlee Homan and Kierstyn White hit two singles and scored two runs.



Crossroads win

Crossroads took down FCC of Portland Junior League Minor softball 12-6 Wednesday.

Lilah Hudson had a team high two singles and two RBIs for Crossroads. Supporting her was Aubrie Overla with a double, single and RBI as well as Paisley Day with two singles and an RBI.

Chloe Yates and Josey Napier also slapped doubles while driving in a run each.



Optimist falls

Bizy Dips of Portland Junior League Rookie softball took down Optimist 8-2 on Wednesday.

Maria Heitkamp smashed a triple and a single for Optimist while scoring a run. Ellie Darby added a double, a single and scored a run.



Rock wins

Seven players scored runs for The Rock in the 8-7 victory over Fishers in Portland Junior League Minor softball Wednesday.

Shylyn Blowers hit an inside-the-park home run and scored two runs to head The Rock’s offense. In the circle, Ellie Wiggins held Fishers to one run in the first two innings and Aleah McIntire and Blowers held up her start to secure the win.

Tori Noggler scored a team high two runs for Fishers.



Hits galore

Wings & Rings outlasted Homestead Bedding in Portland Junior League Rookie softball Wednesday night for a 12-11 victory.

Carsyn Guggenbiller knocked a game-high five hits including a double while scoring four runs for Wings & Rings. Behind her was Brooklyn Evans who scored three runs while slashing four singles.

Savanah Hudson led Homestead Bedding with two triples and a single. She also scored two runs.