STEUBENVILLE — Big Red, the reigning East District and regional champion, opened its quest to return to Akron by jumping on young Zanesville early and rolling to a 25-0 victory in the sectional opener at the Crimson Complex.

Big Red (15-7), the No. 5 seed, scored five runs before the 20th-seeded Blue Devils (0-22) recorded an out on the way to a 13-0 lead after one inning. Steubenville tacked on three more in the second and plated nine in the third to provide the final margin.

Zanesville pitchers issued 20 free passes (17 walks, three hit batters) and Big Red racked up 13 hits.

Sophia Zorne had a single, double and four RBIs, Gia Bowman drove in three runs with a triple, double and single and Sena Smith plated a pair of runs, as did Bailee Beall and Riley Zorne.

In the circle, Katie Renforth spun a one-hit shutout, striking out seven without issuing a walk.

Thanks to an upset in their part of the bracket, Big Red will get a second round home game back at the Crimson Complex on Friday. They will face No. 9 seed West Muskingum (18-7), who toppled fourth-seeded West Holmes on Wednesday night, 12-3.

BASEBALL

Steubenville 5, Edison 1

RICHMOND — Big Red topped the Wildcats on Wednesday, Aydan Manning earning the win on the mound while the bats produced 11 hits, five for extra bases.

Manning struck out six in a complete game. Cal Beadling struck for three hits, two doubles, and drove in a run. Hayden Hicks had a double, a home run and an RBI, while Landon Crosier had a triple and an RBI.

Nolan Haught drove in Edison’s lone run. Evan Kimmerle doubled.

Indian Creek 10,

Barnesville 0

WINTERSVILLE — Creek allowed just one hit in a five-inning shutout win over the Shamrocks, while piling up nine hits and seven walks in their own trips to the plate.

Sylus Hyde worked the whole game on the mound for Creek, striking out 10.

Landon Pownall, Sal Barcalow and Hunter Rusnak each finished with a pair of RBI. Barcalow and Maurer each doubled.