PDT Sports Report

With the playoffs around the corner, the Wheelersburg baseball team will get a second season to try and be perfect.

They just missed in the first season.

The Pirates gave up five runs in the fourth and fifth innings against Greenup County and could not come back as the Musketeers ruined Wheelersburg's chances for an undefeated regular season with a 5-2 win in Greenup, Ky. on Tuesday. The game was the Pirates' final game before the playoffs. Wheelersburg finishes the regular season 24-1.

"We knew that Greenup was going to be a good club," Wheelersburg coach Michael Estep said. "They travel to different parts of (Kentucky) so they are prepared to play in big games.

"We just didn't play fundamental defense in the fourth and fifth innings and that tells the story. I was pleased that in the sixth and seventh innings, we didn't quit. We hit the ball hard and had the tying run at the plate. We didn't fold the tents."

The Pirates will have a few days to regroup before playing Chesapeake to open the Division III playoffs.

"We have to depend on our eight seniors," Estep said. "It's an eight-game season and we have to take it one game at time."

Nick Kemper drove in a run and Adam Wamsley went 2-for-4 in the game.

Wheelersburg 000 000 2 - 2 6 3

Greenup County 000 230 x - 5 6 3

WP: Martin LP: Cook

Hitting Leaders

Wheelersburg - Wamsley 2-4, 2B, Kemper 2-2, 2B, RBI.

Greenup County - Stringfellow 1-4, 2 RBI.

Record - Wheelersburg 24-1.

Clay 7, East 5

East tried to stage a late comeback, but the pitching of Clay's Zack Parker in relief helped Clay preserve a win and a spot in a Division IV Sectional Final on Thursday against No. 1 seed Paint Valley.

Nick Blanton doubled for the Panthers, and also got the win. Brandon Puckett went 2-for-3 in the win. For East, Bret Ehrhart had a double, and Tyler Mault turned in a 2-for-3 performance.

"Nick did a great job on the mound," said Clay coach Mark Robinson. "We are playing some good ball, and we are going to have to bring it on Thursday when we play Paint Valley. Also, Zack did a great job closing out the win."

East 100 022 0 - 5 7 0

Clay 034 000 x - 7 9 1

WP: Nick Blanton. LP: Tyler Mault. S: Zack Parker.

Hitting Leaders

East - Bret Ehrhart 2B; Tyler Mault 2-3.

Clay - Nick Blanton 2B; Brandon Puckett 2-3.

Records - Clay 11-9.

Waverly 6, Meigs 0

Ryan Robertson allowed just two hits and struck out 10 as Waverly advanced past Meigs in a Division II Sectional Semifinal on Tuesday.

Josh Lansing, Kyle Tackett and Jonathon Teeters each went 2-for-3 for the Tigers, with Dustin Boggs driving in two runs. Derek Roback doubled for Waverly.

"It was a great outing from Robertson," said Tigers coach Jeff Noble. "This was a big win for our seniors, and we are going into the sectional final with a lot of confidence."

Waverly travels to Marietta on Friday in a Division II Sectional Final.

Meigs 000 000 0 - 0 2 1

Waverly 102 003 x - 6 10 1

WP: Ryan Robertson. LP: Dunsee.

Hitting Leaders

Meigs - None.

Waverly - Derek Roback 1-4 2B; Josh Lansing 2-3; Kyle Tackett 2-3; Jonathon Teeters 2-3; Dustin Boggs 1-1 2 RBI.

Record - Waverly 17-8 (9-3).

Softball

Wheelersburg 12, Wellston 2

After a week off, Wheelersburg was itching to get back on the field. Wellston wishes the Lady Pirates didn't.

Banging out 17 hits, Wheelersburg picked up a 12-2 victory on Tuesday, three days before the Lady Pirates take on Fairland in a Division III Sectional Final. Lainee Clay, Jaime Clevenger and Jessica Blanton each had three hits in the win, with Blanton doubling twice, homering and driving in six runs. Clay scored twice and Clevenger three times.

Brooke Baker homered and drove in two runs, and struck out six in the circle.

"It was nice to get out and play again," said Wheelersburg coach Gary Bailey. "We hit the ball hard, and Brooke threw a solid game."

Wheelersburg 034 203 - 12 17 1

Wellston 000 110 - 2 7 0

WP: Brooke Baker 6k. LP: Sturgill.

Hitting Leaders

Wheelersburg - Clay 3-4 2R; Clevenger 3-4 3R; Blanton 3-4 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI; Baker 2-4 HR, 2 RBI; Ch. Chaffin 2-4 2B, 2R; Blair 1-3 2B, 2 RBI; Jenkins 2-3 RBI.

Record - Wheelersburg 22-2.

West 5, Northwest 4, 16 innings

After an extra-inning game got suspended because of darkness, the Senators needed three more innings to wrap up a 16 inning win on Tuesday. Kayla Evans, who struck out 13 in the win, had a home run and went 4-for-8 in the game. She also had two RBI. Casie Carver also added a homer.

Rachel Lute went 3-for-7 for Northwest and Audrey Lute struck out 11 in the loss.

"It was a good defensive ball game by both clubs. There was some clutch hitting at the end," Northwest assistant coach Tom Simon said.

Northwest will make up a game with Valley today and then face Westfall in a sectional final on Friday.

West 001 000 100 020 000 1 - 5 13 3

Northwest 001 001 000 020 000 0 - 4 6 5

WP: Evans 13ks. LP: A. Lute 11ks.

Hitting Leaders

West - Evans 4-8, R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR; Carver 2-8, R, RBI, HR, Phipps 2-8, Messer 2-7.

Northwest - R. Lute 3-7, R, RBI, 2B, Williams 1-7, 2B, 2 RBI.

Record - Northwest 11-14 (6-6 SOC)