by Colin Harris

Reporter

Amanda Prochazka drilled a bases-loaded triple in the bottom of the seventh inning as the host Streetsboro baseball team earned a 7-6 victory over Ravenna April 18.

The Rockets (6-4), who earned a 7-2 win over Portage Trail Conference County Division rival Mogadore April 21 at home, trailed 6-4 heading into the seventh before Prochazka's hit ended the game.

Jaclyn Hess had a double and two singles and Desi Boardwine added two singles for Streetsboro.

On April 17 on the road, Streetsboro pitcher Jessica Hess was dominant, striking out 10 Kent batters while allowing only one hit as the visiting Rockets notched a 3-0 victory in a Portage Trail Conference cross-division contest.

Jessica Hess allowed just four base runners over seven innings -- including a walk and two batters who reached base on errors -- and rode a no-hitter until the fifth inning.

"Jess is in a place right now where she is pitching very comfortably," Streetsboro head coach Tim Foster said. "She's struck out 30 batters now in three games this week and I think it's a result of her being able to focus in and get the job done."

The Rockets (4-4) broke onto the board in the top half of the third inning, stringing together four consecutive hits, led off by center fielder Andrea Medina's single to shallow center. After Kent pitcher Hannah Baughman notched two consecutive strikeout, Prochazka took a pitch she liked deep over the head of the center fielder, bringing Medina home for a 1-0 lead.

Jessica Hess and first baseman Kristin Monahan followed with doubles of their own, building the Streetsboro lead to 3-0.

"That third inning was an example of what can happen when a team gets some confidence going," Foster said. "Andrea got on base to lead things off and it was Amanda's triple that really got things to fall into place for us as far as positive momentum."

Despite the rocky inning, Baughman pitched well for the Rough Riders (1-6), going the distance in the loss.

Matching Jessica Hess pitch-for-pitch, Baughman also recorded 10 strikeouts on the afternoon.

Monahan and Medina led Streetsboro hitters, each going 2-for-3, while Monahan drove in a run. On April 15, the host Rockets posted a 6-0 win over County Division foe East Canton.

Streetsboro, which improved to 3-1 in the division, scored three runs in the fourth, two more in the fifth and one in the sixth.

The Rockets finished with eight hits and one error. East Canton (5-5, 2-2) had one hit and two errors.

Jessica Hess took a perfect game into the seventh. She finished with 12 strikeouts. Boardwine and Jessica Hess each had three hits, including a double, and Jaclynn Hess had a single and drove in two runs. Streetsboro was scheduled to host County rival Mogadore April 21 before heading to Mogadore April 22. Both contests were not available at press time.

The Rockets are set to entertain Leavittsburg Labrae April 24 and Crestwood April 25 before heading to Garrettsville to play County foe Garfield April 28. They return home to play Garfield April 29. All four games are slated to begin at 4:15 p.m.

E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3914