The Boardman Spartans will head out to face off against the Howland Tigers at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Boardman's pitching crew heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Thursday. They were the clear victors by a 19-0 margin over East. The win was familiar territory for the Spartans, who have now won six contests in a row.
Emily Swantek
| 05/14/26 vs East | 3 |
| 05/11/26 vs Howland | 2 |
| 05/04/26 @ Harding | 2 |
| 04/24/26 @ Archbishop Hoban | 1 |
| 04/03/26 vs Poland Seminary | 1 |
Emily Swantek was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out ten over five innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up a single earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-3 with three runs and two RBI. Those three runs gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Addie Rudge, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in May of 2025. The team also got some help courtesy of Ellie Wymer, who got on base in all three of her plate appearances with three stolen bases and three runs.
Boardman was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .550. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Howland got the win against Chaney on Thursday by a conclusive 24-0.
Like Boardman, Howland also got a great game from a two-way player: Makenna Perry. On the mound, Perry pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Maya Kubancsek pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. At the plate, Perry went a perfect 5-for-5 with one home run, three stolen bases, and three runs, while Kubancsek fired off two home runs, seven RBI, and three runs while going 5-for-5. Those stolen bases were Perry's first of the season.
In other batting news, Madison Schmitz was excellent, going a perfect 5-for-5 with one home run, four stolen bases, and five runs. With that strong performance, she is now averaging an impressive 2.1 runs per game. Michelina Wayt was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Boardman's record is now 16-7. As for Howland, their record now sits at 15-7.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Boardman has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Howland struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Boardman got the 'W' when the teams last played on Monday against Howland by a conclusive 7-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Spartans since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
