SOFTBALL

East Palestine 17, Springfield 2

NEW MIDDLETOWN — East Palestine used a 10-run first inning to club Springfield 17-2 on Saturday.

Jasmine Ludt had three hits including a home run and four RBIs for the winners. Taylor Foster added three hits and three RBIs. Emma Ginger, Gabby Andre, Kennedy Andre and Cami Cridler all had two hits each. Kennedy Andre struck out four in the winning effort in the circle. East Palestine (10-9) plays the winner of Lordstown and Badger on Wednesday in a Div. IV sectional final.

EP: 10-0-4-2-1–17-15-0

SP: 2-0-0-0-0–2-4-3

BASEBALL

Howland 5, Columbiana 0

WARREN — Brayden Kovarik threw a two-hitter as Howland blanked Columbiana 5-0 on Saturday in baseball action.

Hunter Davanzo and Max Conway each had a hit for the Clippers. Avery Young took the loss with no strikeouts and a walk in six innngs.

Columbiana (14-10) is at East Palestine today. A win would clinch the outright Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference title for the Clippers.

CO: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0–0-2-2

HO: 0-3-1-0-1-0-x–5-8-0

Warren JFK 7, Heartland 5

NILES — Warren JFK knocked out Heartland Christian 7-5 in a competitive game on Saturday at Eastwood Field.

Jake Walker paced the Lions with two hits and an RBI, while Jack Morgan had two hits. Will Morgan took the loss with five earned runs surrendered in 4 1/3 innings.

Heartland is 8-11 and hosts Edison today.

HC: 0-0-0-3-0-2-0–5-6-4

JF: 0-0-1-2-3-1-x–7-15-4

–Compiled by MICHAEL S. BURICH, Assistant Sports Editor