Homesteading can be a rewarding lifestyle that will improve your health and well-being. It will also help you to develop a close bond with nature and reduce stress.

If you’re considering becoming a homesteader, now is the time to start taking steps towards this lifestyle. Here are a few things you can do this fall, winter and summer to get started:

T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY
MARTINS FERRY’S Ayden Ludolph breaks for second on a stolen base attempt during Thursday’s game against Brooke. The Purple Riders won in nine innings.

MARTINS FERRY – Martins Ferry needed nine innings, but in the end, it pocketed its second win of the young season, toppling Brooke, 7-6.

Turner Krol came on in relief of Mason Redinger, who was strong for six innings, to pick up the mound win.

At the plate, Connor Probst had an RBI double and Baron Lucey had a single, double and RBI.

River 18, Magnolia 2

NEW MARTINSVILLE – Invading River continued its red-hot hitting en route to posting its third, mercy-rule victory of the season Thursday afternoon. The latest came over struggling Magnolia, 18-2, in five innings.

Colton Cisar worked three innings to earn the pitching win and had a single and four RBI to help his own cause. He gave way to his brother, Cooper, who worked the final two frames for the save.

At the plate, sophomore Peyton Blue had a big day. He had a home run, double, single and five RBI. Lucas Dennis had a double, two singles and drove in four.

Shadyside 15, Bridgeport 2

SHADYSIDE – The homesteading Tigers evened their record at 2-2 with a 15-2 victory against Bridgeport Thursday at Fleming Field.

Shadyside received solid pitching from Grant Miller, who struck out eight and walked one.

He also drove in a run.

Junior Ben Wach had two singles and a like number of RBI, while Cole Micker had two singles and a RBI. Tyler Stottlemyer drove in a run with a single and Anthony Forgacs delivered two singles and drove in a run.

Zach DiLoretta had a RBI single for the Bulldogs.

Harrison 13, East Liverpool 1

EAST LIVERPOOL – The invading Huskies snapped a brief two-game losing streak with a 13-1 win over the Potters Thursday afternoon.

Fueling the Huskies attack was senior standout Treston Nemeth. He hit a grand slam and a solo home run for 5 RBI. Senior Jace Madzia had a home run and a single. Kaden Jurosko, who was the winning pitcher, had a double, single and three RBI. Kayden Dunkle doubled home two runs.

Linsly 6, University 4

WHEELING – The Cadets bounced back from their lone setback as Andrew Skadra drove in four runs with a pair of singles in their win over the visiting Hawks on Holloway Field.

Winning pitcher Xavier Fankhauser singled twice and doubled to drive in a run. On the mound, he fanned four, walked three and yielded six hits and four runs in 4-plus innings. Collin Paull struck out four and issued two free passes in earning the save.

SOFTBALL

Linsly 15, Union Local 4

MORRISTOWN – Union Local dropped to 2-1 on the season after Linsly handed the Jets a decisive, 15-4, setback in five innings Thursday afternoon.

Baleigh Burwell was sharp in the circle with nine strikeouts and two walks. She also had two singles and two RBI. Sophia Monk had a single, double and drove in five runs.

Union Local received two doubles and a RBI from Lauren Miller. Laken Vinskovich doubled home a run and Hallee McGary had a double and two RBI.

Barnesville 6, Buckeye Trail 2

BARNESVILLE – The Shamrocks picked up win number two by outlasting Buckeye Trail, 6-2, Thursday at Memorial Park.

Aubrey Johnson picked up the win in the circle, but she also hit a home run and drove in two.

Peyton Dudzik had two singles and an RBI, while Katelyn Arigoni drove in a run with a single.

Shadyside 14, Beallsville 4

SHADYSIDE – The Tigers made it 3-0 on the season with a 14-4 victory over Beallsville in five innings.

Senior standout Gentry Brown provided a bulk of the offense with a home run, single and four RBI. Classmates Rylie Fulton and Bella Honeywell both had three singles and two RBI, while Arianna Saxton, who was the winning pitcher, had two singles and a RBI. Macy Hendershot doubled home a run.

Kaylee Hagan had a double, two singles and a RBI to pace the Blue Devils.

Toronto 8, Buckeye Local 0

CONNORVILLE – Toronto scored early and added crooked numbers late en route to an 8-0 shutout at Buckeye Local Thursday.

The Red Knights Andrea Reeves spun a one hitter against the Panthers.

TRACK AND FIELD

Barnesville sweeps triangular

MARTINS FERRY — Barnesville swept a triangular at the Fred Thomas Track Complex Thursday afternoon.

The Shamrock boys had 97 points and the girls finished with 67.

There was nary a double winner in the boys meet.

In the girls meet, Bellaire received a double victory from McKayla Pettigrew. She won the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Freshman Allyson Vingia won the shot put and discus for the Big Reds.

Source: timesleaderonline.com