ALEX BAKER

SHADYSIDE — The homesteading Tigers picked up a pair of wins, in a split doubleheader, but the story of the day went to junior pitcher Alex Baker.

In the second game, which was a 10-0 victory against Frontier, Baker hurled a five-inning, perfect game with three strikeouts. He sat down 15 consecutive Cougars and needed just 37 pitches to accomplish the feat. Baker becomes the 93rd pitcher in Ohio history to throw a perfecto.

According to the OHSAA website listing, Baker’s feat is the first by a Belmont County pitcher since St. Clairsville’s Scott Barnhouse turned the trick in 1977.

The Tigers offense staked Baker to plenty of runs. Junior Rhys Francis had a pair of doubles, a single and three RBI. Junior Mason Vannest had two more hits and a RBI. Korey Beckett had two singles and two RBI. Baker helped his own cause with a single and RBI. Freshman Ben Wach had a single and a RBI.

In the opening game, the Tigers knocked off Buckeye Local, 4-0, behind brilliant pitching from Vannest, who went five solid innings with nine strikeouts and nary a walk. He gave way to frosh Tyler Stottlemeyer, who finished the game.

Vannest also had two singles and scored a run to spark the offense. Francis had a triple and scored a pair of runs.

Buckeye was limited to four scattered singles.

Barnesville 8, Steubenville Catholic 0

BARNESVILLE — The homesteading Shamrocks picked up their sixth win in seven outings Saturday by blanking the Crusaders.

Brady Wildes earned the mound win by working into the sixth with seven strikeouts and two walks.

The Shamrocks offense was led by Gavin Carpenter’s two singles and three RBI. Kyvan Johnson singled home two runs. Logan Shepherd and C.J. Hannahs both had RBI singles. Jeremy Hunkler had a pair of base hits.

Union Local 6, West Muskingum 5, 8 innings

MORRISTOWN — Union Local needed extras, but was able to pick up its third win in six outings Saturday against West Muskingum.

Freshman Jake Toohey came on in relief in the seventh and picked up the mound win. He also had a double and two singles. Evan White had three singles and a RBI. Dylan Higgenbotham had two singles and a RBI.

SOFTBALL

Martins Ferry 10, Monroe Central 5

Martins Ferry 4, Monroe Central 0

MARTINS FERRY — The Purple Riders (10-4) got back to their winning ways and capped a week in which they won seven of eight games with a pair of victories against the invading Seminoles.

The Riders continued to swing hot bats, pounding out 25 total hits between the two games.

In the opener, Ferry played long ball as Hunter Pollock, Maria Clark and Lauren McFarland all went yard.

McFarland was the winning pitcher.

Freshman Danielle Lude had a double, single and RBI, while Taylor Bell had a double, single and two RBI. Shelby Thomas had a trio of hits, including a double.

Monroe Central was led by Liz Roderick. She had a double and two RBI.

In the second game, Gillespie picked up the win in the circle with nine strikeouts and a walk.

Pollock had a single, double, while Nevaeh Hall had a single, double and RBI. Clark ripped two more singles and drove in a run. McFarland and her sister, Ella, each had two hits.

Roderick had two singles for the Seminoles.

Bellaire 8, Harrison Central 6

Harrison Central 13, Bellaire 0

CADIZ — Host Harrison Central and Bellaire split a twin bill Saturday inside sun splashed Sally Buffalo Park. The Big Reds rallied to win the opener and the Huskies exacted revenge in five innings.

In the opener, Bellaire received solid pitching from senior Jayden Lowe and offensive support from sophomore Lizzie McAninch, who hit her first career home run, had two singles and drove in three.

In the second game, the Huskies broke out the big bats, pounding out eight hits and taking advantage of four Big Reds’ errors.

Brit Positano fueled the offense with a grand slam, two singles and five RBI. Danyell Beadling had a home run, single and two RBI. Jenna Young and Lizzy Clelland each had a RBI single. Abbi Jozwiak had a single and two RBI.

Union Local 11, Beaver Local 0

Union Local 13, Beaver Local 0

ROGERS — The invading Jets soared into Beaver Local and picked up a pair of five-inning victories Saturday.

Junior Keira Gregor had a huge day both in the circle and at the plate. In the opening game, she tossed a no hitter with three strikeouts, had three singles and drove in a run.

In the second game, Gregor had a grand slam and a two-run home run for six total RBI, while also picking up the win in the circle.

Also producing at the plate in the first game was Casey Kildow, who had a single and two RBI. Hannah Merritt, who had two doubles. Ava Lucas had a single, double and RBI.

In the second game, Breanna Barbe also played long ball for two RBI. Lucas drove in two more runs, while Marissa McGary and Merritt both drove in a run.

Shadyside 11, Buckeye Local 5

SHADYSIDE — Homesteading Shadyside picked up a victory Saturday thanks to an offensive exposition that saw the Tigers pound out 11 hits.

Sophomore Gentry Brown hit two home run and drove in three. Bella Honeywell continued her red-hot hitting with a single, double and two RBI. Mary Smith had a single, double and two RBI. Abby Gorrell had two RBI and Mady Violet had a single and RBI. Senior Kylie Jo Baker had two singles and a triple.

Buckeye Local received a three-run home run from junior Alexis Williams and a solo home run from junior Rylie White.

Steubenville 9, River 0

STEUBENVILLE — The host Big Red proved to be too much for the Pilots Saturday.

Julianna King was impressive in the circle with 13 strikeouts and she limited River to a pair of singles She also had three hits and scored four runs.

Mary Marshall fueled the Big Red offense with three hits and four RBI. Lakyn Blackburn had a single and two RBI. Amaria Swearengen had a double and RBI.