Barnesville Wins First Paul Burkhart Softball Classic
In a four-game set at Barnesville Memorial Park, the Shamrock Junior High team won both of their games to claim the title for the first Paul B. Burkhart Junior High Softball Classic Sunday, May 3, at Barnesville Memorial Park.
The inaugural classic honored the memory of Paul P. Burkhart, (1929-2003), who coached the BHS Varsity Softball team for 20 years during his 39-year career as a teacher in the Barnesville School system.
Championship Game
Barnesville – 19, St. Clairsville – 8
St. Clairsville struck first, plating two runs in the top of the opening inning after Grace McFarland reached on a walk and Aliyah Mamone followed with a single to the right side.
In the bottom half of the first, the Shamrocks surged ahead. Cinzly Carpenter sparked the rally by reaching on a fielder’s choice, Mariah Weiss ripped a single down the left field line, and Paizlie Loudin contributed with a groundout that brought in a run. By the end of the inning, Barnesville had flipped the score in its favor.
The momentum carried into the second inning as Carpenter delivered again with a triple, and Sloane Richey added an RBI single to extend the early lead.
Barnesville’s biggest inning came in the fourth, when the Shamrocks erupted for seven runs on six hits. Gracie Smith and Richey each drove in a run with singles, Weiss came through with a two-run double, and Maggie Vanfossen added another RBI double. Aggressive baserunning and a costly St. Clairsville error helped pile on two more runs in the frame.
St. Clairsville showed fight in the fifth inning, scoring six runs on three hits to cut into the deficit. Kylee Wickline highlighted the inning with an RBI double, while Ariana Klee added a two-run single. A pair of Barnesville miscues also contributed to the rally.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly shut down in the bottom of the sixth, as Barnesville’s Lexi Thomas hit a 3 run HR and the Rocks tacked on six more runs to put the game out of reach and secure the 19–8 win. Mariah Weiss would get the win for Barnesville giving up 5 hits and striking out 7.
Consolation game
Linsly – 16, Martins Ferry – 13
In a game that went back and forth between the Cadets and Purple Riders, Linsly came out on top in extra innings claiming the win in in the 8th inning.
It was a great game that went back and forth and went into extra innings. Linsly won in the 8th.
First Round
Barnesville – 13, Linsly – 3
Barnesville opened the scoring in the first inning after drawing three walks, with Sloane Richey bringing in the game’s first run on an RBI walk. In the circle, Paizlee Loudin set the tone early, striking out the side to give the Lady ROCKS a 1-0 advantage after one.
The offense kept rolling in the second inning. Rylee Winland sparked the rally with a double to right field, followed by Gracie Smith’s double down the left field line—each driving in a run. Richey added to her strong day with another RBI double, while Kinsley Roe singled to center to bring home another. Lexi Thomas chipped in with an RBI on a fielder’s choice, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Linsly showed some fight in the third, using two walks and a single by Ward to set the stage for Zaelynn Adams, who delivered a three-run triple to cut the deficit to 5-3.
That would be as close as it got.
The Lady ROCKS blew the game open in the fourth inning with an offensive explosion. Cinzly Carpenter and Richey each doubled in runs, Mariah Weiss tripled to drive in another, and Maggie VanFossen delivered a two-run double. Roe added her second RBI hit of the day with a single, capping a six-run inning and extending the lead to 11-3.
Barnesville would go on to secure the 13-3 victory behind a dominant performance from Loudin, who allowed just two hits while striking out seven.
In the first game, the Red Devils came out on top in convincing fashion.
St. Clairsville – 17, Martins Ferry – 7
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(Copy submitted by Boomer Reed)
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