The Diamond Kings, sponsored by Kernan Insurance Group and Fred Martin Ford, are the Valley’s best players in both high school softball and baseball. The best part is you help decide who will be a part of this team by voting under the ‘Diamond Kings’ link above.
Baseball
-Brett Daniels drove in four runs for the Panthers in Bristol's, 17-11, sectional semifinal victory over Badger yesterday. Bristol (7-5) now plays at Ledgemont in the Division IV Euclid District sectional final today at 4:30 p.m.
-Girard (14-4) is the top seed in the Division III Struthers District. The Indians' A.J. Weibel struck out six as he picked up a regular season win against Brookfield, 5-0, yesterday. Girard plays the winner of the United-Mineral Ridge matchup in the sectional championship on Friday from Liberty Park at 4:30 p.m.
-Brenden Wells (3-3) and Matt Unkefer (3-4) combined for six hits in West Branch's shutout (13-0) win over Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas yesterday. Wells posted two doubles and an RBI as Unkefer drove in three runs. The Warriors (11-12) open up tournament play against Crestwood at home on Wednesday (4:30 p.m.).
-Niles registered their sixteenth win of the year (16-4) yesterday over Poland, 6-2. Mike Watson went 3-3 for the Dragons and compiled two runs batted in. On Thursday, Niles begins their march towards a district title when they play the winner of West Branch-Crestwood at home.
-Leetonia's junior Cody Stokes hit a homerun and had 6 RBIs in the Bears, 18-8, sectional semifinal victory over Lisbon. Senior Lance Tullis reached base each of his five plate appearances (3 walks, triple, double) and scored three runs. Leetonia (9-8) will now play for the sectional title against second-seeded Columbiana today at 4:30 p.m.
-Mooney's Boo Vazquez has put together a stat line to remember. The senior outfielder is batting .579 (22 of 38), 7 triples, 17 RBIs, 11 stolen basees, 16 bases on balls and has not struck out once. Mooney begins their tourney play against Struthers on Thursday.
Softball
-The Lakeview Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-0 lead yesterday and held on to defeat Geneva, 5-4, in the sectional semifinal. Alexis Neumeister fanned five and gained her sixth victory (6-1) of the year. The Bulldogs play today at Edgewood in the Jefferson District sectional final.
