The Margaretta Baseball & Softball teams beat Port Clinton Monday night to remain in a tie for first place in their respective races. Baseball: Baseball knocked off Port Clinton 4-3 to remain tied at the top of the SBC BAy Division Standings with Edison. CASTALIA — In a game that tested both composure and execution, Margaretta delivered when it mattered most. With the score tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, senior Emmett Leibengood stepped to the plate and wasted no time. On the first pitch he saw, Leibengood lined a single into left field, scoring Bren Smith from third and sealing a 4-3 walk-off victory over Port Clinton. The win not only showcased Margaretta’s ability to respond under pressure, but also kept them firmly in the hunt atop the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division standings. Margaretta set the tone early. Bren Smith, who turned in a perfect day at the plate, reached base and later came around to score in the first inning off an RBI single from Hunter Grahl. The early lead gave the Polar Bears momentum, but Port Clinton answered back to keep the game tight throughout. Smith continued to be a catalyst offensively, collecting three hits and consistently putting pressure on the defense. Grahl added two hits of his own, while Leibengood contributed a strong all-around performance with two hits and two RBIs, including the decisive swing in the final inning. On the mound, Mason Kromer delivered a steady outing. The right-hander worked 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and issuing just one walk. He effectively limited big innings and kept Margaretta within striking distance even as Port Clinton threatened late. The game’s intensity ramped up in the middle innings. After Port Clinton took a 3-2 lead in the sixth, Margaretta quickly responded. Memphis McKenzie led off the bottom half with a double, setting the stage for a game-tying run. He eventually scored following productive situational hitting, evening the score at 3-3 and setting up the dramatic finish. Defensively, Margaretta came through in key moments. In the top of the seventh, Port Clinton placed runners on second and third with just one out, threatening to take control. However, the Polar Bears held firm. A combination of clutch fielding and composure on the mound prevented any runs from scoring, keeping the game tied and giving the offense a chance to win it. That opportunity didn’t go to waste. In the bottom of the seventh, Smith once again ignited the offense by drawing a leadoff walk. He advanced into scoring position with aggressive baserunning and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Grahl. With one out and the winning run just 90 feet away, Leibengood stepped in and delivered the game’s defining moment. Port Clinton 002 001 0 — 3 4 2 Margaretta 101 001 1 — 4 8 3 WP: Kromer. LP: Busby. 2B: (PC) Bodie; (M) McKenzie Softball: The softball team defeated Port Clinton 8-3 to remain tied at the top of the Bay Standings with Edison. CASTALIA — Behind a dominant performance in the circle and a decisive mid-game surge, Margaretta powered past Port Clinton 8-3 in a key Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division matchup Monday at Lions Park. Senior ace Cassidy Lane was the driving force for the Polar Bears, striking out 15 batters while allowing just one walk across a demanding 127-pitch outing. Despite facing consistent pressure from a Port Clinton lineup that put the ball in play and worked deep counts, Lane maintained control and delivered in crucial moments. Margaretta improved to 12-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play, remaining tied for first place in the SBC Bay Division. The Polar Bears jumped out early, manufacturing runs in the first two innings. Brooke Hastings got things started with a double that brought home Ellianna Young in the opening frame. In the second inning, Ellaynah Schaefer executed small ball to perfection, dropping a bunt single that scored Elie Grime and extended the lead to 2-0. Port Clinton, however, responded and turned the game into a battle. After getting on the board in the third, the Redskins capitalized on a defensive miscue in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead, putting Margaretta in a rare position of playing from behind. Rather than falter, the Polar Bears answered with their most complete inning of the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Margaretta erupted for a five-run rally that flipped momentum for good. The inning featured a mix of aggressive baserunning, timely bunting, and clutch contact at the plate. An infield misplay allowed the go-ahead run to score, and the lineup continued to apply pressure. Elie Grime added an RBI bunt single, showcasing the team’s emphasis on situational hitting. Tessa Lane followed with a two-run single to create separation, capping off the decisive inning and giving Margaretta a 7-3 advantage. Throughout the game, Margaretta’s offensive approach centered on putting the ball in play and forcing the defense to make plays. The Polar Bears totaled 10 hits, with multiple players contributing to the balanced attack. Ellianna Young collected two hits and scored multiple times, while Schaefer’s execution on bunts played a key role in extending innings. Lane also contributed offensively, adding an RBI single in the sixth inning to provide the team’s final run. Defensively, Margaretta settled in after the fourth inning, tightening up behind Lane and preventing any further scoring opportunities. Despite Port Clinton recording hits in six of the seven innings, the Polar Bears limited damage and closed out the game effectively. Port Clinton 001 200 0 — 3 8 2 Margaretta 110 141 x — 8 10 1 WP: Lane. LP: Frohne. 2B: (PC) Wiechman. (M) Hastings Mckenzie Sports Photos: Click Here Bren Smith--BCSN Pancake Player of the Game-- Click Here