Local Roundup: Wildcats Dominate Sectionals with Impressive Performance | News, Sports, Jobs

The Paden City Wildcats showcased their dominance on Thursday as they secured a resounding 14-0 victory over the Valley Lumberjacks in the W.Va. Class A, Region I, Section I playoff game.

Pitchers Brayden Neff and Joey Baker combined to pitch a no-hitter, with Neff striking out nine batters in four innings. The Wildcats’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with Kayden Myers leading the charge with three hits, including two doubles, and driving in two runs. Baker also contributed with two RBI, including a triple.

Bryson Stackpole added to the offensive onslaught with a pair of RBI, while Riley Dennis showcased his speed with two stolen bases. The Wildcats’ stellar performance on both the mound and at the plate secured them a well-deserved victory.

In other baseball action, the Jefferson County Christian Royals had a successful day on the field, tying Cornerstone Prep 7-7 in the first game and defeating Pittsburgh Christian 15-5 in the second game. The Royals’ strong showing earned them the top seed in the SWCAC finals.

Meanwhile, in a cross-town rivalry matchup, Steubenville emerged victorious over Steubenville Catholic with a 7-1 win. Despite limited hits, Big Red capitalized on Central’s errors and free passes to secure the win. Pitcher Hayden Hicks was instrumental in the victory, striking out 12 batters and limiting the Crusaders to just three singles.

With the regular season coming to a close, both teams are now gearing up for the upcoming tournament. Big Red will face off against the winner of the sectional semifinal between Philo and Zanesville Maysville, while Catholic Central will travel to Shadyside for their tournament matchup.