Photo by Kim North Martins Ferry’s Giana Chirpas prepares to step on first base after reaching on an error during Friday’s game with Barnesville on the Memorial Park diamond in western Belmont County. The Shamrocks’ Maddy Tyson flipped the ball to Abigail Johnson. The Purple Riders posted their 13th straight win, 10-3.

BARNESVILLE — It was business as usual for the Martins Ferry softball team on Good Friday.

The red-hot Purple Riders (13-1) strengthened their hold as the top seed in the OVAC Class 3A standings with a convincing, 10-3, decision over host Barnesville (12-3) on the sun-splashed Memorial Park diamond in western Belmont County.

With the win, Martins Ferry extended its streak to 13 in a row after a season-opening setback to Wheeling Park.

The contest could have served as a preview of a possible playoff meeting as the cut-off date looms next weekend. The Shamrocks were in third place behind United (11-1) and ahead of Wheeling Central (12-3).

“The girls played well and our coaches did a good job on the scouting of Barnesville,” Martins Ferry head coach Jerry Magistro said. “People don’t realize how much time the girls, and the coaches, put in to get better. It’s paying off.”

Winning pitcher Maddie Lucas went the distance inside the circle, striking out five and walking none. She threw 111 pitches, with 82 brewing strikes. She also threw a first-pitch strike to 22 of the 29 Shamrocks she faced. She surrendered eight hits.

“We’re confident with either Maddie or Abby (Snedeker) in the circle,” Magistro said. “They both have done a good job for us. Today it was Maddie.”

Lucas also helped herself at the plate with a single, double and home run that produced five runs from the leadoff spot in the order.

“She has really come on with the bat,” Magistro said of Lucas. “I am happy with where we are at, but we are still a very young team.”

Snedeker gave the visitors a 2-0 lead with a one-out triple to left in the first inning. After Barnesville responded with a run in its half of the first, Lucas sent a drive over the left fielder’s head for a second-inning roundtripper — her third in two games — and a 3-1 advantage.

Martins Ferry took advantage of three errors by the Shamrocks in the third as it built an 8-1. Lucas doubled to left with two outs to drive in two runs.

After the Shamrocks pulled to within 8-2, they committed two more errors and Lucas made them pay once again with a single to left that bumped the count to 10-2.

“It just wasn’t our day. We didn’t look like the same team that we’ve been playing like,” Barnesville head coach Kelley Hanlon said. “Our hitting wasn’t like it has been to this point. We got behind in the count a lot.”

Gracie Lucas, Maddie’s cousin, singled twice, as did Makayla Cole. Averi Hughes added an RBI single and Kendahl Brandon picked up an RBI. Chaela Smolira singled and tripled for Barnesville. Her triple came in the first inning and drove in Maddy Tyson. However, she was thrown out trying for a home run on a fine relay thrown from — none other than — Maddie Lucas.

Hanlon said this loss was one that she hopes the girls forget about and move forward.

“That’s just what I told the girls. Don’t look back at this game. Just look forward.”

Tyson had a pair of singles and Lily Welch belted a double.

Emma Betts was saddled with the loss. She struck out four and walked three before giving way to Abigail Johnson to start the sixth. Johnson logged a trio of Ks.

The same two teams meet again Monday high atop the Purple City. However, Martins Ferry treks to Woodsfield Saturday for a twinbill against the Seminoles.