A seven-time Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association writer of the year, Blackledge spent the final 34 years of a four-decade career as the chief prep beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch. A Delaware, Ohio native, Blackledge graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982 with degrees in journalism and communications. He served as sports editor of the Wilmington News-Journal for three-plus years. He also worked at the Lake County Telegraph and the Delaware Gazette. In addition to the prep beat, Blackledge has covered the Browns, Indians, Reds, Bengals, Columbus Crew and various Ohio State sports.
Jake Luling whacked a bases-clearing double in a pivotal second inning, lifting the Pioneers to a 12-4 rout of Newark in a Division I regional title game. Luling finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs. Lancaster, OH – There was a time in mid- to late-April when Olentangy Orange had the appearances of a rather mediocre baseball
Newark stunned second-ranked Olentangy Liberty 1-0 as aggressive — and perhaps overzealous — base-running took center stage. Third-ranked Orange manufactured a run in the bottom of the seventh for a walk-off win over defending state champion Olentangy. Lancaster, OH – “That’s baseball” is a common phrase to explain away some of the quirky things that
Nine-hole hitter Aubrey Allen and reliever Lucy Bennett were among the unsung heroes who helped well-rounded Bradley advance to its first state tournament under 41st-year coach Kevin Moody. Sunbury, OH – Owning the tag “role player” is not something most athletes relish. Being referred to as an ace, slugger, speedster or stopper sounds much more
The top four hitters in Gahanna’s lineup combined for 11 hits and nine RBI as the Lions stormed into as regional final matchup against Hilliard Bradley, which coasted to a 10-0 win over Dublin Coffman in the matinee game. Sunbury, OH – Never mind the fact that the Gahanna Lincoln softball team scores 8.9 runs
While neither team was laser sharp on this day, Watterson and Jonathan Alder both showed they have the goods to make deep tournament runs in their respective divisions. Eagles first baseman Michael Mulligan ended this attractive tune-up game with a dramatic diving grab for a double play in the seventh. Columbus, OH – Two of