Magnolia Pitcher Kaleb Starkey

Paden City played host to Magnolia on Wednesday night, May 11, in an elimination Class A Section One baseball game. The Wildcats scored first pushing two runs across the plate in the bottom of the first and added another in the second for a 3-0 lead.

Magnolia tied the game in the top of the fifth with three runs, but the Wildcats came right back to take the lead for good with with two in the bottom of the inning and another in the sixth to get the win 6-3 and advance to play Madonna on the next night.

Kaden Myers led the Wildcats with a strong pitching performance, striking out 14 batters, while also helping his own cause with a single, triple and two RBI. Joey Baker came on in relief in the sixth and registered two K’s to get the save. Aston Little knocked in a run with a hard hit double and Liam Clements added an RBI.

Kaleb Starkey took the loss, but also had a strong game whiffing 10 Wildcat batters and walking four. Brady Dinardo had a pair of singles for the Blue Eagles, while Brayden Vargo and Jordan Thomas each added an RBI.

The Wildcats had six hits in the contest, while Magnolia was limited to three. Both clubs committed two errors. The loss finished the season for the young Magnolia squad and coach Josh Smith. They had some good moments and will continue to build for the future.

Paden City falls in sectional play to Madonna to end their season

Paden City traveled to Weirton on Thursday, May 11, hoping to stay alive in the Class A sectional baseball tournament. However Madonna came out strong in the first to innings to put the game out of reach for the Wildcats and claim a 14-1 mercy rule five inning win.

Will McGinnis took the loss for the Wildcats as Madonna exploded for 13 runs and 14 hits in the first two innings. Paden City never dented the board until the top of the fifth, but it was to little to late as they pushed a run across for their only score.

Picking up the win for the Blue Dons was Grishkevich tossing three innings with five strikeouts and one walk, while allowing the Wildcats only hit on the evening. The Dons slammed a total of 20 hits and scored a run in the fourth to end their scoring. Paden City had three errors on the day to Madonna’s two.