×

Ferry set to unveil new softball diamond

“If you build it, they will come.”

That was the catch phrase for the movie “Field of Dreams.”

Well, Martins Ferry has built them (baseball and softball fields), but thanks to Mother Nature and some on-going construction, no one has shown up on the hilltop overlooking the Purple City.

That is all expected to change early this week — weather permitting — when the Lady Purple Riders are scheduled to host Buckeye 8 Conference rival St. Clairsville. Game time is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday.

According to Martins Ferry head coach Jess Cordery, the new diamond will be playable if “we don’t get any hard downpours.”

By looking at the week’s forecast, there’s no rain predicted, but we all know how fast that can change.

The softball game will be the first spring sport contested at the new complex, which is part of the multi-million dollar campus that opened just after the first of the year, but baseball and track teams are soon to follow suit.

The Lady Purple Riders have fared pretty well thus far, compiling a fine 6-3 mark on the road. Two of the setbacks came over the weekend in the Brooke Tournament.

(Hoping Your OK)

Speaking of the Purple ladies, the Times Leader Sports Department hopes that Shayla Robinson wasn’t too seriously injured last week in a game at Harrison Central.

Martins Ferry’s designated runner was tagged out in a bang-bang play at home plate. She reportedly struck her head on something and suffered some dizziness and naseau. As a precaution, she was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.

Also, according to River head coach Dave Wright, his shortstop — Kaitlyn Owens — recently had her gall bladder removed. However, Wright said she could be back by tournament time.

In the meantime, Wright experimented by placing all-state catching candidate Shaleena Rhodes at short, but soon found out how valuable she is behind the dish.

New Class, No Problem!

An upgrade from Class A to Class AA in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference softball classifications hasn’t been a problem fr Liz Hofreuter-Landini’s Lady Cadets.

Linsly, which has benefitted greatly from a spring break trip to Florida, has won 10 of 11 outings against Ohio Valley competition.

Much of the early-season success can be attributed to the strong right arm of Megan Byhanna. The fire-balling senior is a superb 9-1 with 96 strikeouts and an earned-run average of just under 1.0.

But, Linsly does have some hitters, as well. Erika Mitchem leads five players with above-.300 marks with a .473 clip.

Games of the Week

Today: Monroe Central at St. John Central, 5 p.m.

Tuesday: St. Clairsville at Martins Ferry, 5 p.m.

Wednesday: Buckeye Local at Harrison Central

Thursday: Shadyside at River

Friday: Martins Ferry at Monroe Central

Saturday: Bridgeport at Linsly (2), noon

North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today