CAMBRIDGE — After allowing the Bobcats to tie the game with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Purple Riders pushed three across in the top of the eighth on Don Coss Field to improve to 3-1 in a 9-6 victory.

Hunter Shutler singled in two runs in the winning rally. The third run came across on a bases-loaded walk.

Shutler finished with two singles and three runs batted in. Eli Smith doubled in three in the top of the sixth to put the Purple Riders ahead 6-4.

Freshman Clayton Snider pitched the eighth to earn the win.

The same two teams play today high atop the Purple City.

River 17, Shenandoah 15

SARAHSVILLE — The Pilots topped the Zeps in a supercharged high-scoring game.

River had 18 hits and Shenandoah finished with 11. Each team also committed four errors.

Peyton Blue tallied three hits and four RBI, while Kaden Hunt finished with four hits, including a triple, and three RBI. Easton Huntsman and Cooper Roberts each had two RBI. Lucas Dennis and Hunter Ruble each knocked doubles.

River plated two runs in the top of the seventh to take a lead. Lucas Dennis pitched the sixth and seventh innings to pick up the win. He struck out four.

Caldwell 4, Shadyside 0

SHADYSIDE — The Tigers’ Ryan Collins struck out nine and allowed just one hit in five innings but the visiting Redskins took advantage of nine base-on-balls and a trio of errors for the win.

SOFTBALL

Martins Ferry 20, Cambridge 6

CAMBRIDGE — The Purple Riders (7-1) remained red-hot at City Park in a game stopped after six innings due to the OHSAA mercy-rule.

Giana Chirpas belted two home runs and a pair of doubles to knock in five runs, while Samantha Goddard also had five RBI with a double and homer.

Makayla Cole had four singles and an RBI, while Averie Hughes singled thrice. Abby Snedeker plated a run with two singles, while Gracie Lucas singled and doubled. Winning pitcher Maddie Lucas doubled in three runs. Ella Mamone had two singles and a run batted in.

Maddie Lucas fanned 10 and walked three while giving up five hits in four innings.

Martins Ferry, which has now won seven in a row, collected 23 base hits.

The same two teams play today in Martins Ferry.

River 12, Shenandoah 9

SARAHSVILLE — It may have taken a couple more games than he would have liked, but veteran Pilots head coach Dave Wright finally collected his 300th career victory in Wednesday’s win.

Mallory Maddie had three singles, a home run and four RBI for River. Ava Wohnhas added a homer and two ribbies, while Kaylee Hagan had two singles and a double.

Wohnhas struck out nine and didn’t walk a batter.

John Marshall 10, Parkersburg 2

GLEN DALE — Ella Finley went the distance inside the circle as the Monarchs (7-6) scored half of their runs in the bottom of the first inning and coasted past the visiting Big Reds.

Tessa Dougherty drove in three runs with a single and two sacrifice flys for John Marshall. Joelle Gonchar had a two-run single and Masyn Inclan singled twice to plate a run.

Finley struck out five, walked three and surrendered seven singles.

Buckeye Local 6, Harrison Central 5, 9 inn.

CONNORVILLE — Taum Walker’s two-run single with two out in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Panthers past the visiting Huskies.

Maddy Roset belted a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth deadlocked the game at 4.

Danika Bauknecht collected four singles for the winners. Winning pitcher Karlie Lander doubled twice, struck out 12 and walked two in a route-going performance.

Walker had an earlier RBI single.

Ara Blackburn singled twice, tripled and knocked in two runs for Harrison Central. Kailey Banal had a single, double and RBI.

Barnesville 9, Bellaire 6

BARNESVILLE — The Shamrocks plated five runs in the fourth inning to defend their home field and defeat the visiting Big Reds on Wednesday.

Ella Betts earned the win for Barnesville, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out seven.

Three different Shamrocks hit triples on Wednesday– Madelynn Tyson, Chaela Smolira, and Abby Johnson. The trio combined for four RBI. Payton Dudzik tallied three stolen bases, and Sophie Carpenter hit a double.

Addison Kovach had a big day for Bellaire, hitting a double and a home run in finishing with five RBI. Rylie Porter finished a home run shy of the cycle.

Caldwell 10, Shadyside 0

SHADYSIDE — The Tigers couldn’t get any traction on Wednesday against Caldwell.

Ariana Saxton struck out a dozen batters for Shadyside on the mound. The Tigers committed four errors on the day. Ali Weatherson finished with two hits, including a triple.