Licking Heights junior Natalie Mahoney did something not many pitchers have done this spring: shut down Johnstown’s potent bats.
In the completion of a game suspended earlier in the fourth inning due to weather, Mahoney limited the host Johnnies, averaging over 11 runs per game, to just five hits in a 1-0 Licking County League crossover shutout on May 12.
“It was pretty annoying and frustrating, having to come back,” Mahoney admitted. “I thought we could have completed it. But I also knew I wouldn’t have to pitch a whole game. I used my curveball and screwball, tried to pitch to their level.”
The Hornets (14-9, 8-7) scored the only run they would need in the fourth inning off Lucia Kuhn, who also was stellar, throwing a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts and just one walk. Hayley Stout had a leadoff single and with two outs, Lily Reich doubled her home.
Mahoney, who fanned six with only one walk. stranded runners at second and third in the sixth and a runner at second in the seventh. She was coming off a tough 4-1 loss to rival Watkins Memorial, another hard-hitting team which she held to two earned runs with seven strikeouts.
“She just gets in a zone and is always ready to compete,” coach Tracy Bennett said. “The way she competes rubs off on our other girls. She’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever had, during the off season and in the weight room.”
It’s been kind of a roller coaster ride for the Hornets, but they hope to be hitting their stride with the Division II district fast approaching. If the sixth seed can beat No. 9 Logan, they would play again for a district title, likely against top seed Westerville Central.
“We just have to play a clean game,” Mahoney said. “Just do what we’re capable of, and don’t try to do more than we can.”
Observed Bennett: “We’re still a very young team. We lost six seniors, some who are playing in college. But this team does not get down on itself. They don’t dwell on the negative and are ready to move on to something positive.”
Meanwhile, LCL-Cardinal champion Johnstown (19-6-1, 11-5) also moved on, in fact very quickly. After Heights departed, the Johnnies mercied River Valley (17-7) by a 15-5 count in five innings. They exploded for 11 in the first.
Winning pitcher Abigail Wood hit a pair of doubles with an RBI and Addy Zak also knocked in a run with a triple and single. Violet Wentzel plated four runs with her two singles and Kuhn drove in three with two hits. Riley Stefanick and Brooklyn Wood each added two singles with an RBI, while Jenna Hochanadel got home two more runs.
Watkins wins
Emma Jellison smacked a three-run homer, double and single, collecting four RBIs, as visiting Watkins Memorial beat Newark 11-5 on May 12.
Gracie Gerhardt and Alli Langwasser each added two singles and two RBIs for the Warriors (18-7). Ava Bailey had two hits with an RBI and Elisabeth Coffman contributed a run-scoring double.
Lexi Shanaberg clouted a grand slam homer and single for the Wildcats (5-19). Mallory Back added two hits and Emerie Brown doubled.
Lakewood falls
Visiting Lakewood managed just five hits in an 11-1 loss to Gahanna.
Allie Stimmel had two singles and Averie Adams an RBI double for the Lancers (16-10).
BASEBALL
Warriors survive
Tanner Neal had a double and single with three RBIs and Logan Grezlik pitched 4⅓ innings of three-hit, one-run relief as host Watkins Memorial fought off Licking Heights 10-9 in the LCL-Buckeye on May 12.
Dylan Gray doubled and scored three runs for the Warriors (14-8, 11-5), while Cooper Lang added a single and two RBIs, Parker Kemmerling a double and RBI and Kaden Barrows a single and RBI.
Maxim Fink collected three hits and drove in two runs for the Hornets (5-14, 5-11). Tino Martin added two hits, Remy Alcorn a run-scoring double, Stone Fenton and Zach Bricker each had a single and RBI and Lance Burkhart also knocked in a run.
Sheridan tops Heath
Visiting Heath couldn’t overcome an early 5-0 deficit in a 5-3 setback against Sheridan on May 12.
Dominic Morris had a double and RBI and CamStephens a single and RBI for the Bulldogs (12-11). Macksen Matthews had two hits and pitched five innings of one-hit, no-run baseball in relief.
Johnnies beaten
Visiting Johnstown closed out LCL play with a 7-1 crossover loss against Zanesville (9-14, 5-11).
Landon Myers drove in a run for the Johnnies (8-13, 5-11).
GCA romps
Aidan Rhoads went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and Aiden Geiger also had three hits on May 12, as host Granville Christian Academy (13-8) downed Torah Academy 12-2 in six innings.
Josh Benvie struck out seven in just 2⅓ innings of one-hit ball and also had two hits with an RBI for the Lions. Layton Sheppard belted a triple and two singles with an RBI, Walker Lawrence had a single and three RBIs, Samuel Merritt a double and an RBI, and Josiah Green contributed two hits.
Kamppi stars
Dawson Kamppi struck out 10, allowing just three hits and a walk over five innings, and also tripled with three RBIs as host Liberty Christian whipped Eastmoor Academy 10-0 on May 12.
Jackson Cecil had two hits with an RBI and Layne Crockett doubled for the Eagles (6-11). Max LaPorte and Drew Fye each singled with an RBI and Elijah Wickline also plated a run.
BOYS LACROSSE
Johnstown rolls
Hayden Norman scored four goals, while Logan Brown and Will Taylor each had two goals and two assists, leading Johnstown to a 12-4 senior night victory against Newark on May 11.
Zeke Severs also found the back of the net twice for the Johnnies (9-7), while Warren Miller added a goal, an assist and came up with seven ground balls. Goalie Ben Smith recorded eight saves, and Matthew Baisden won 10 faceoffs.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Roundup: Mahoney blanks Johnstown, but Johnnies bounce back big time
Reporting by Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
