After spotting the the Edgerton Lady Bulldogs two runs in the top of the first inning, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs stormed back to defeat the visitors 14-4 in a six inning mercy rule victory in a non-league Junior Varsity game. Emma Leonard went all the way in the circle to get credit for the win.
“I’m really proud of them. I think that puts us just over .500 for the season. It’s something Swanton softball hasn’t had for a long time,” said Assistant Coach Gary Hamrick. “Our JV girls struggled a bit last year on some measures like base running, but now things are collective working. You can’t say just one girl is carrying the team. They’re all getting bats on the ball and this is looking really good for our future.”
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
In a roll-off game between the First Half winners (Lake Loungers) and Second Half winners (Crown Town) of the 16-Team Thursday Mixed League, the Towners edged the Loungers 814-811. The Lake Loungers (Kim Floyd, Kevin Moden, Derek Floyd, Scott Floyd, Kody Moden) won the First Half with a 21-7 record and Crown Town (Nicole Betz, Greg Betz, Matt Mason, Brad Betz) won the Second Half, also with a 21-7 record.
Other teams in the handicapped league were: Glizzy Bears, Wrecking Balls, The House, Bowling Stones, Callin Off Tmrow, Oncore Brewing, Fuller Prop Sol, Jerry’s Muffler, Team 2, Loma Linda, Team Nelson, No Splits Given, Bowldogs, Team 16.
League Leaders for the season:
Individual High Average: Men – Jon Myers (216.31), Women – Alyssa Walberg (149.90)
Team Handicap Series: Bowldogs (2766), Loma Linda (2730), Oncore Brewing (2700)
Team Handicap game: Lake Loungers (989), Callin Off Tmrow (947), Team 2 (946)
Scratch Series Men: John Lauch (685), Paul Fuller (670), Jerry Donaldson (663)
Scratch Game Men: Roger Frederick (258), Justin Szabo (256), Kevin Ford (255)
Scratch Series Women: Lyndsey Peebles (523), Kim Floyd (469), Nicole Betz (450)
Scratch Game: Becky Nelson (192), Paula Wilson (192), Hannah Nelson (185)
In a roll-off game between the First Half winners (Lake Loungers) and Second Half winners (Crown Town) of the 16-Team Thursday Mixed League, the Towners edged the Loungers 814-811. The Lake Loungers (Kim Floyd, Kevin Moden, Derek Floyd, Scott Floyd, Kody Moden) won the First Half with a 21-7 record and Crown Town (Nicole Betz, Greg Betz, Matt Mason, Brad Betz) won the Second Half, also with a 21-7 record.
Other teams in the handicapped league were: Glizzy Bears, Wrecking Balls, The House, Bowling Stones, Callin Off Tmrow, Oncore Brewing, Fuller Prop Sol, Jerry’s Muffler, Team 2, Loma Linda, Team Nelson, No Splits Given, Bowldogs, Team 16.
League Leaders for the season:
Individual High Average: Men – Jon Myers (216.31), Women – Alyssa Walberg (149.90)
Team Handicap Series: Bowldogs (2766), Loma Linda (2730), Oncore Brewing (2700)
Team Handicap game: Lake Loungers (989), Callin Off Tmrow (947), Team 2 (946)
Scratch Series Men: John Lauch (685), Paul Fuller (670), Jerry Donaldson (663)
Scratch Game Men: Roger Frederick (258), Justin Szabo (256), Kevin Ford (255)
Scratch Series Women: Lyndsey Peebles (523), Kim Floyd (469), Nicole Betz (450)
Scratch Game: Becky Nelson (192), Paula Wilson (192), Hannah Nelson (185)
Photo: Crown Town (Matt Mason, Nicole Betz, Greg Betz)
Here is a Public Service Announcement for anyone attending a Swanton Lady Bulldogs’ home game at Harding Field in Memorial Park. DO NOT park behind the fence in left or left-center field. If you choose not to heed this warning, make sure your auto insurance covers broken windshields. The batting lineup of the 2025 Lady Bulldogs has been smashing team records for home runs all season as well as a couple of car windows along the way.
In the first home game of the season, freshman Cara Ludlow clubbed two round trippers and Gabbie Orner also took one deep in what was, basically, a preview of coming attractions. And since that day, the big hits just keep on coming. When Carli Lagrange hit her fourth dinger of the year against Ottawa Hills, a grand slam by the way, she tied the school record for most home runs in a single season. In other games along the way, Jordyn Ramirez and Alexa Faber joined the HR Club.
On Saturday, despite a double header home loss to the Edgerton Lady Bulldogs, several more Swanton softball home run records fell, led by Alexa Faber. The junior shortstop crushed two home runs in the first game, including a grand slam and her third of the day in game two. The three blasts gave Alexa 10 for her career, eclipsing the previous record of eight. “It’s really exciting. I didn’t expect to set the record this early in my career,” said a very humble Alexa. Her offensive explosion also saw her set Swanton career record for Runs Batted In (RBI) and walks. “Lex is just a machine. She puts her head down and grinds, and isn’t looking to chase records. Her hard work shows, and I’m just so proud that she gets the recognition for it,” said Swanton’s Head Coach, Lauren Yoder.
Orner launched her second big fly of the season in the first game and by the end of the afternoon, the Swanton juggernaut batting order had broken the team’s single season home run record of 13 with a now running total of 16. “It’s crazy that we have more home runs this year than we’ve ever had in the past,” commented Alexa on her team’s power surge this season. “I’ve never been on a team that had a variety of players hitting like this.”
“I’m really proud of how well this group is hitting the ball. We have multiple girls in the running to claim the season home run record with Alexa Faber, Carli LaGrange, and Jordyn Ramirez, all three of our juniors,” pointed out Coach Yoder. “This group is the best hitting team overall that I’ve ever had, and when they swing with confidence, it’s really a fun time to watch this lineup.”
The Lady Bulldogs have five remaining games scheduled before the OHSAA playoffs begin, giving them many more opportunities to push the home run record, setting bars even higher. Their record on the season is 8-10, but they are 3-1 in the NWOAL and are still in contention for the league title. Swanton will play league foes Bryan on Monday and Wauseon on Thursday, both at home. Come out and watch this power-driven team battle for a championship. Just be careful where you park.
The Swanton Lady Bulldogs needed to play only the minimum five innings in a 5-0 defeat of the Toledo Christion Lady Eagles. Beyla Remer fired five innings and allowed only two hits with one walk and five strikeouts. She also had two hits and scored three runs. Lacey Shinaver scored three runs as well with two hits, including a triple. Kendall Baumbarger had a double and two RBIs.
Here are a few photos all taken from the centerfield bleachers at Memorial Park on a very dusty day. I thought I had tickets in the front row but I was informed I was mistaken.
Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultobcountymedia.com website.
In a key NWOAL matchup on Monday afternoon, the Archbold Blue Streaks rallied from a 5-3 deficit with single runs in each of the last three innings, ending with a walk off run in the bottom of the seventh to defeat the Swanton Bulldogs 6-5. CJ Thompson-Arroyo singled to lead off the last inning and later scored the winning run on a hit by Wyatt with nobody out.
Jace Castillo threw a scoreless top of the seventh in relief of Zack Short to get credit for the win. Short pitched the first six innings, allowing five runs (4 earned) on six hits, five walks and 11 strikeouts. Carson Bond suffered the loss giving up one run on two hits in relief of Adam Lemon, Lemon started for Swanton, pitching six innings, allowing five runs (2 earned) on six hits, five walks and four strikeouts.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos mare in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Archbold’s C J Thompson-Arroyo streaks home for winning run
The Archbold Lady Blue Streaks scored four runs in the first inning and went on to defeat the visiting Swanton Lady Bulldogs 10-0 in NWOAL action on Monday night. With the win, the Streaks take sole possession of first place in the league with a 3-0 record. The Bulldogs drop to 2-1 in the NWOAL, tied for second place with Bryan and Liberty Center.
Click on the link to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Madison Bowers scores another run for Archbold
After escaping bases loaded jams in the first and second innings, Swanton pitcher Carson Lemons shut down the Delta Panthers until he was relieved in the seventh, in a 4-0 Bulldog victory on Delta’s home field. Lemons threw six innings, giving up zero runs on two hits, three walks and 11 strikeouts, getting credit for the victory. Adam Lemon pitched a scoreless seventh inning to seal the win.
At the plate, Lemons was 2 for 4 with two doubles, one run scored and one RBI. Drake Harris was 1 for 3 with one run scored and one RBI. Evan Smigelski also had a hit and an RBI while Isaiah Bolyard singled and scored a run.
Gary Valentine threw six innings, giving up five hits and two runs (one earned) while walking two and striking out three and was tagged with the loss. Lane Lopez had two hits for the Panthers.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos ae in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
The final round of the Swanton Middle School (SMS) Amazing Shake was held this past Thursday in the SMS gymnasium in front of the entire student body, staff and faculty. Amazin Shake is part of the Swanton Seven Initiative (SSI), a program that focuses on building soft skills in students, placing strong emphasis on manners, discipline, respect, and professional behavior. There were several rounds of the competition that began with all seventh-grade students. The first round pared the number to 20, the second round to 10 and the final round to just four well deserving students, Kourtney Fulton, Brooklyn Kahl, Josie Dryer and Evelyn Keys.
Each of the contestants fielded a variety of questions from 13abc Action News Anchor James Stark, who served as the emcee for the event. The students were judged on their overall responses and professionalism by six members of the Swanton area business community. Serving as judges were Jason Kos of McNeill Chevrolet, Jessica Double and Kelsey Kaiser of Worthington Steel, Ashlee Never of North Star Blue Steel, Stephanie Fessenden of Equity Planning Group, Mark Moll of DesignEtics and Delray Busch of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kourtney, Brooklyn, Josie and Evelyn all performed very well on stage. They were poised, confident, articulate and gave well thought out answers to Mr. Stark’s questions. At the end of the Q & A session, the judges were sent to another room to compare notes and total their evaluations. In the end, the judges awarded Evelyn Keys the 2025 Amazing Shake Champion.
Prior to the trophy presentation, SMS Principal Leigh Pancoast paid a special tribute to the late Brandon Johnson, former owner of Team Johnson Limo and Charter Bus who served as a judge every year since the beginning of the Swanton Seven Program and was a major financial supporter of the Amazing Shake. Several members of Mr. Johnson’s family were in attendance and presented the trophy to Evelyn.
“I was extremely surprised. I was scared, everyone was talking,” said a very happy Evelyn. “I knew I had to study extra hard because of my opponents.” The Amazing victory now sends Evelyn to Atlanta and the Ron Clark Academy sometime next year to compete at the national level. Ron Clark is an American educator who created the Amazing Shake philosophy approach to education.
Click on the link to access photos from the Amazing Shake competition as well as some from the Swanton Middle School’s Got Talent show performed during the intermission. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
It took the Swanton Lady Bulldogs a couple of innings to crank up their offense, but when they did, they didn’t stop until they had defeated the Ottawa Hills Lady Green Bears by a five-inning mercy score of 19-5. The big blast that shot the Bulldogs to a comfortable lead was a grand slam by junior slugger Carli LaGrange, her fourth home run of the season, which tied the Swanton softball single-season home run record.
After the game, Carli brought attention to the overall success at the plate the team is having. “Everybody is stepping up. Everybody is putting the ball in play. I think our hitting has been very good for such a young team,” she said. As far as her home runs this year, “My mind set is just to make contact. I’m not swinging for he fences. I’m not trying to kill it,” explained Carli. With Carli’s home run, the team total reached 11 for the season. In the next game, against Evergreen, Jordyn Ramirez hit a grand slam in a 11-4 Swanton victory, to pull within one of the school record of 13 home runs in a year.
Beyla Remer threw three innings of no-hit ball to get the win and had two hits in the game. Carli LaGrange finished 3 for 4 with two doubles plus her home run. Lacey Shinaver went 4 for 4 with two RBIs. Cara Ludlow was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Josalyn Kahl pitched the last two innings giving up four runs on three hits and three strikeouts.
Swanton’s record for the season is 6-7 and 2-0 in the NWOAL. They next face the Archbold Lady Blue Streaks, who are also 2-0 in the league, on the road this Monday.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and an be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Adam Lemon threw six innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out seven and Luke Marlow scored three runs as the Swanton Bulldogs opened the NWOAL baseball season with a 5-3 home victory over the Liberty Center Tigers at Memorial Park. The Bulldogs scored single runs in the first and third innings to take a 2-0 lead, then saw the Tigers string together four straight singles in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 2-2.
Swanton responded with two runs in the bottom half of that inning to regain the advantage and added an insurance run in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead into the final inning. Brady O’Shea come on in relief for Swanton to start the seventh inning. O’Shea set down the first two batters but experienced control issues and proceeded to load the bases with a hit batsman and two walks. Carson Bond relieved O’Shea and gave up a run-scoring infield single before striking out the last hitter to pick up the save in the 5-3 victory.
The win kept Swanton’s start to the season at a perfect 8-0, including a 1-0 record in the NWOAL. The Bulldogs play next at Evergreen on Thursday. Liberty Center drops to 3-2 on the season and 0-1 in the league. They will be at home on Thursday to play the Delta Panthers.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com
Fulton County Ohio Media 