PETERSBURG, W.Va. — Sometimes, all it takes is one big inning to change the momentum. For No. 3 Northern, three of them did the trick. The Huskies exploded for three consecutive five-run frames late in the game, turning a tight contest into a 16-2 rout over Petersburg on Friday.
After a 1-1 stalemate, Northern (13-5) found their groove at the plate, finishing with a commanding 13-6 advantage in hits. Hunter Beitzel was the anchor on the mound, delivering a complete-game performance that kept Petersburg (7-14) at bay. Over seven innings, Beitzel surrendered just two runs—only one earned—on six hits, striking out four and walking two.
The offensive fireworks were headlined by Hunter Livengood, who crushed a three-run home run in the seventh inning to cap the scoring. Livengood also added a double, finishing with five RBIs on the day. Landon Yoder was a force at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, while Jacob Chambers and Elliott Myers-Shirer each contributed multi-hit games to fuel the Huskies' attack.
Lukas Wolford managed two singles for Petersburg, but it wasn't enough to counter Northern's relentless offense. Kaleb Kuhn took the loss on the mound.
Northern now sets its sights on a key matchup at No. 5 East Hardy (13-5) on Monday at 6 p.m., while Petersburg will host Pendleton County at the same time.
SHORT GAP, W.Va. — Top-ranked Frankfort showed why they're the team to beat, plating 11 unanswered runs to cruise past Mountain Ridge in a five-inning affair on Friday.
The Falcons (14-6) were powered by a quartet of standout performers: Charleston signees Lanson Orndorf and Blake Jacobs, along with Jaxon Hare and Cole Shanholtz, all recorded multiple hits and RBIs. Hare tripled and drove in three runs, Shanholtz matched that RBI total, Orndorf doubled twice for two RBIs, and Jacobs added a double with two more RBIs.
Rhett Sensabaugh earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits over 3 1/3 innings. Braeden Laffey provided solid relief, tossing 1 2/3 shutout innings to preserve the victory.
John Wood took the loss for Mountain Ridge (4-13), while Dane Van Slyke highlighted the offense with a double and a single.
Frankfort travels to Southern (8-9) on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
HAMBLETON, W.Va. — Mason Hamilton was the star of the show for No. 5 East Hardy, doubling twice, driving in four runs, and scoring three times to lead his team to a dominant four-inning win over Tucker County on Friday.
Evan Hamilton also crossed the plate four times for East Hardy (13-5), while Dayton Dove singled three times and drove in two runs. Shayne Sisler added a double and a single, and Levi Price chipped in with a double of his own. Dove also shined on the mound, allowing just one run on two hits over four innings, striking out six and walking only one to earn the win.
Tucker County's Owen Helmick doubled for the lone extra-base hit, but Josh Crossland was saddled with the loss on the bump.
East Hardy returns to action on Saturday at noon, hosting Clarke County from Virginia.
ROMNEY, W.Va. — Channing Wilt's production came in threes, leading Hampshire to a victory over Berkeley Springs on Friday. Wilt's timely hits and all-around effort helped the team secure the win in a competitive matchup.