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.
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Friday, 10 June 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Small Ball Approach Propels Grove City To DI Title Game

Four runs in the first two innings gave Greyhounds sophomore ace Keegan Holstrom all the support he needed in a 4-1 state semifinal win over No. 2-ranked Mason and its state player of the year pitcher Brenden Garula.
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Thursday, 09 June 2022 / Published in Features, Home Features

Bottom Of Lineup Provides Lift For Edison in Extra-Inning Win

Milan Edison's Ben Bates added the finishing touches...an inning of scoreless relief to nail down the most compelling of the opening day semi-final matches at the state tournament. In eight innings, Edison knocked out Roger Bacon in the Div. III semi-final, 3-0.
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Thursday, 09 June 2022 / Published in Features, Home Features

Ebel’s One-Hit Gem Sends Lincolnview To Division IV Final

Dane Ebel saw a no-hit bit foiled in the seventh inning, but his 11-strikeout performance powered Lincolnview to an 8-1 rout of overmathced Tiffin Calvert, His first cousin,  Ohio-State-bound Landon Price, went 3-for-4 to pace the Lancers' offense.
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Wednesday, 08 June 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Through Tough Times, Grove City Baseball Thrives

When a failed school levy in 2009 fractured Grove City's sports teams, the baseball team managed to march ahead under the leadership of coach Ryan Alexander. The Greyhounds return to the state tournament in Akron this weekend for the first time since 2012.
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Sunday, 05 June 2022 / Published in Features, Home Features

Lane, Bentley Power Pick Cent., Gahanna To Track Titles

Continuing a recent trend, central Ohio teams and individuals walked away with most of the hardware in the Division I state track and field championships at Ohio State's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Steve Blackledge writes for Sunday's Press Pros.