ON THE MOUND — Weir High’s Liam Williamson delivers during the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday. The Red Riders earned a split on the day, topping Elkins and falling to North Marion. - Andrew Grimm

ZANESVILLE — The Catholic Central baseball team got off to a good start to its season on Saturday, going on the road to Tusky Catholic and sweeping a doubleheader on their opening day.

The Crusaders pulled away for a 13-3, run rule win in five innings in game one, then turned around and fended off the Saints 9-6 in a close second game for the sweep.

In the opener, the Crusaders took a 5-1 lead through two, and led 5-3 going to the top of the fifth when they racked up eight runs to bring the run rule into play.

Matty Jones had a double and two RBIs, while Michael DiCarlo plated three runs and Eli Fayak also drove in a pair.

On the mound, Jacob Vranish started and went three innings, while DiCarlo closed things out also with three Ks.

In the second game, Central opened a 6-3 lead, and held on to a 6-5 lead through three, but plated two in the fourth and one in the seventh to hang on.

Jones again had a double and two RBIs, while Vranish also drove in a pair of runs.

On the mound, Mason Meeks, Caleb Wright and Tommy Symington each went two innings, Meeks starting and getting credit for the win with three Ks.

Edison run-rules the Potters

RICHMOND — The Edison baseball team opened its season with a big victory on its opening day, 10-0 over visiting East Liverpool.

After taking a two-run lead in the bottom of the first, the Wildcats plated seven in the second to pull away for good and break the game open.

Kayden Russell and Evan Kimmerle each doubled for the Cats, Russell driving in two runs. Bryce Rogers also drove in a pair of runs.

Rogers hurled a no-hitter on the mound, with a complete game, 11-strikeout performance with just one walk.

Red Knights open strong

TORONTO — The Toronto baseball team opened its season with a strong 10-0 victory in five innings over Mineral Ridge Saturday at the KBC.

Caden McGrath had a hit and two RBIs for the Knights, while Russ Dickinson doubled and Cole Barcus also drove in a run.

Aiden Filby fanned seven and did not issue a walk on the mound.

Weir splits a twinbill

WEIRTON — The Weir High baseball team had two very different games in a split doubleheader on Saturday, beating Elkins 11-1 in the opener and then dropping a 14-0 decision to North Marion.

In the win over Elkins, Lucas McAllister had a double, two singles and three RBIs, while Aleks Zanieski also doubled and Colson Kimmel plated a pair of runs.

Zanieski (nine in three innings) and Evan Kaczmarek (two in two innings) combined for 11 strikeouts on the mound.

In the second game Caiden Braswell had a base hit for the Red Riders.

Liam Williamson tossed three scoreless innings to start the game, striking out three.

Madonna splits a pair

WOODSFIELD — The Madonna baseball team suffered a tough setback in game one of a split doubleheader on the road Saturday, but bounced back to win the second game.

The Blue Dons, now 4-2, were plagued by errors, as Monroe Central came back from being down 8-2 with the last seven runs of the game for an 9-8 victory.

All nine runs were unearned.

Madonna, though, bounced back to beat Beallsville 16-3 in the second game for the split on the day.

In the opener, Matt Geer had a double and a solo homer, while Kaiden Wells also homered and had two RBIs and Koleton Grishkevich tripled, had two singles and drove in a pair of runs.

In the second game, Grishkevich homered, tripled and had three RBIs, while Geer doubled and singled and drove in a run and Sam Brooks plated a pair of runs with two hits.

Reed Wilharm (five) and Brooks (four) combined to fan nine on the mound.

Brooke tops Princeton

The Brooke baseball team finished its weekend trip with an 11-1 victory over Princeton on Saturday.

Gavin Moore had two hits, including a double, for the Bruins, while Henry Anderson tripled and drove in a run.

Andrew Murdock went all five innings in the run rule shortened win, striking out six and allowing just an unearned run.

Brooke went 2-1 on the three-day trip and is 6-2.

SOFTBALL

Oak Glen sweeps a DH

NEW MANCHESTER — The Oak Glen softball team swept a doubleheader with Tyler Consolidated on Saturday, 16-1 and 8-0, both wins coming by the run rule.

The Golden Bears had seven extra base hits in the opener, all coming from different players.

Mikalyn Balch tallied a homer, Maddie Murray tripled and Danica Holden, Addie Smith, Mattie Carney and Marleah Lough each had a double.

Holden and Macie Hartung each drove in three runs, while Lough brought home two.

Holden and Murray each struck out four in the circle, Holden starting and getting the win.

In the second game, Holden again had a big game, this time with two doubles and three RBIs, while Carney smacked two doubles and drove in a run and Kayla Wright doubled and had an RBI.

Carney stuck out six in the circle in three innings, while Murray went the final two innings and struck out one.