Errors keep JC perfect in ACAC

Things looked as if the Patriots were going to drop their first Allen County Athletic Conference game of the season, but a couple of mistakes in the sixth left the door open.

A three-run sixth inning secured the Jay County High School baseball team a 4-2 lead on Tuesday before Zedrian Vazquez ended the South Adams Starfires’ chances of a comeback.

Tailing 2-1 entering the sixth, Jackson Edwards and Drew Schemenaur both reached base on errors to lead off. A groundout and an intentional walk to Parker Nichols set up bases loaded for Ryne Goldsworthy. The senior sent a line drive to center field to give the Patriots (9-6, 3-0 ACAC) the lead.

Nichols later scored on a dropped third strike and an error by catcher Luke Bauman.

The Starfires (5-6, 0-2 ACAC) needed two runs in the top of the seventh inning to extend the game, but Vazquez didn’t allow them to pass. He gave up a double and a walk, but didn’t allow any runs to score before he recorded three outs to secure the complete game. He struck out 13 batters in the appearance while only allowing the two runs.

Bats stymied

Two runs in the top of the seventh inning handed the Jay County softball team a 3-1 loss to the South Adams Starfires, as the Patriots struggled to find offense all night.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the seventh, Mackenzie Neuenschwander led off with a double against Mallor Winner. An error by second baseman Carley Trinidad and an intentional walk loaded the bases for the Starfires (10-1, 2-0 ACAC).

Shea Alberson delivered what would be the winning blow as she singled to left field to score two runs.

Addie Baker kept Jay County’s bats quiet all night, only allowing three hits. Jaelynn Lykins was the only Patriot in the top five spots to secure a hit, while Mady Fraley and Hallie Schwieterman claimed the other two.

Winner suffered the loss with three runs (two earned) in the complete game.

The Patriots (5-4, 0-2 ACAC) have now lost three straight and will look to right the ship tonight and secure their first ACAC win at Bluffton.

Triple winners

WOODBURN — The Jay County track teams both split with the Woodlan Warriors and Southern Wells Raiders on Tuesday.

The girls gathered 71.5 points to dominate the Raiders (6.5) and narrowly fall to Woodlan (78).

The boys’ 62 points got outdone by the Warriors (73) but was more than enough to defeat Southern Wells (26).

The boys had their most individual wins on the year in a meet with more than two teams at six. Adam Alig earned three of those victories in the 110-meter hurdles (16.3 seconds), the 300 hurdles (46.3) and the high jump (5 feet, 8 inches).

Joseph Boggs also earned multiple wins, claiming the 800 run (2 minutes, 9 seconds) and the 1,600 run (4:48). The other victory came from Caleb Garringer in the 3,200 run (10:56).

The girls pulled off eight victories. Jenna Dues was the only girl to win multiple individual events claiming the 100 dash (13.48), 200 dash (27.3) and high jump (4 feet, 8 inches).

Other first-place finishes came from Morgan DeHoff (300 hurdles), Alexis Sibray (800 run), Jordyn Hutzler (shot put), the 4x100 relay team and the 4x400 relay team.

Golf Falls

The Jay County boys golf team fell to the Wapahani Raiders 160-173 on Tuesday at Portland Golf Club.

Caleb DeRome kept his score low, finishing with only 34 strokes.

Gage Sims put up the second-best score for Jay County (4-3) at 44. Cody DeHoff only had two more strokes as he clocked in with a 46.

Luke Fugiett rounded out the team score with a 49, while Isaac Homan’s 51 did not contribute to the final.

The junior varsity team pulled out a 187-201 victory over the Raiders. Liam Garringer shot the low with a 43. Other scores came from Dawson Goldsworthy (46), Domonick Bright (48) and Grant Linville (50).

Cody McFarland’s 60 did not affect the team score.