The Columbiana Clippers will head out to take on the Howland Tigers at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Columbiana is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.3 runs per game this season.
Columbiana fought the good fight in their extra-innings matchup against United on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They took an 8-3 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Golden Eagles. Clippers fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team's lost against the Golden Eagles since on Wednesday.
Columbiana saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Hunter Davanzo, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one double, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Howland came tearing into Friday's game with four straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 7.3 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They blew past the Rockets 10-4. Considering the Tigers have won nine contests by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Howland also got a great performance from Sully O'Donnell as he tossed five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off eight hits.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Luca Fronzaglio, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, and one stolen base. He is becoming a predictor of Howland's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 9-2 (and 4-7 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Terry Werner, who went 1-for-3 with one home run and three RBI.
Howland hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least four batters in five consecutive matches.
Howland's record now sits at 13-9. As for Columbiana, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost four of their last five games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 11-13 record this season.
Columbiana came up short against Howland when the teams last played back in May of 2024, falling 5-0. Can the Clippers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
