SCOL co-champion McClain fights off Blue Lions
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD - The South Central Ohio League co-champion McClain Tigers didn't allow the Washington Blue Lions close enough to their lead for a chance to steal the victory. MHS broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the fifth and added an extra run the following inning for a 5-3 Division II SE District Sectional semifinal win.
In their previous games this year, MHS and Washington split the games as both teams won in walk-off fashion.
On Monday, at Mitchell Park, the Tigers defended their home field by using top pitching, along with timely hitting in the late innings when they needed runs the most.
"We saw their (WSHS) best pitchers (Monday), so we saw some of the better pitchers in the SCOL in this game," MHS head coach Brandon Streitenberger said. "Both teams played well, and no team had the big inning."
Washington (10-12, 6-6) tied the game at three in the top of the fifth, but what turned into the winning run occurred in the bottom part of the same inning.
Jacob Dillon forced a one-out walk and scored on a powerful double to the left field fence by Caleb Cooper.
The sixth inning was an insurance inning for the SCOL champion Tigers.
McClain (19-7, 8-4) added its final run with a base hit by Zach Uhl, scoring Jon Johnson. Johnson, who slid into home plate for the run, reached the bases with a lead-off single to left-center field. He got into scoring position by stealing second base. Johnson finished 3-for-4 at the plate for MHS.
But the game could have been one of missed opportunities as the Tigers left 11 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the third inning. In the third, MHS started off with three straight base runners with no outs, but Washington pitcher Bryce Bryan struck out the last three MHS batters with the final two on called third strikes.
MHS started off the game in its bottom half of the first with two runs scored, jumping ahead of the Blue Lions. WSHS scored one run in the top of the first with Casey Shaw scoring on a one-out single by Bryan.
Logan Wise, who entered the game with a seven-game extra base hitting streak at the lead-off spot, reached on an error to start the MHS first inning. With one out, Johnson singled to left field. Both runners rounded the bases with a base hit to right field by Zach Uhl. Caleb Gregory also walked in the inning.
MHS marched ahead to a 3-1 advantage in the bottom of the second. Cooper was hit by a pitch to start the MHS half of the inning. After a strikeout, Wise singled to left field. With two outs recorded, Johnson doubled down the third base line, just missing going foul, to plate Cooper.
Washington tied the game in the top part of the fifth with two runs. Brandon Johnson singled to left field to begin the inning. Max McKinney reached on a bunt single. With Justin Hall pinch running for Johnson, he scored on a errant throw to third base. The game-tying run came with a sacrifice fly to left field off the bat of Colton Sanderson.
"We had three close games this year with Greenfield," Washington head coach Troy Montgomery said. "I thought our kids did a nice job, but I gotta tip my cap to Greenfield, they did a nice job too."
Pitching for both teams was on the mark, as Dillon gained the win for the Tigers. Dillon, who pitched in relief, went 2 1-3 innings on the hill. He faced seven batters, allowing no hits and no runs, while giving up two walks with one strikeout.
Austin Wilson started the game for the Tigers. He pitched 4 2-3 innings for the no decision. He faced 19 batters, allowing three runs (none earned) on three hits and one walk. Wilson struck out three.
Bryan was charged with the loss. He pitched 4 1-3 innings of relief, striking out nine. Bryan faced 20 batters, giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks.
"Four very good pitchers played in this game," Streitenberger said. "This was a fun game to be a part of and watch. Austin was solid, and so was Jacob on the mound."
Chance Therrian started on the mound for the Blue Lions. He pitched 1 2-3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk. Therrian faced 11 batters.
"Bryce was fantastic and both of our pitchers played hard," Montgomery said. "As for the entire team, I appreciate the level of hard work and effort they gave us this season.
"It was a good season. We played a tough schedule, and we played only a couple teams with losing records, so that says a lot about our schedule."
Another big part in the MHS win was the defense.
"Austin (Wilson) and (Jacob) Dillon made nice plays on defense," Streitenberger said. "Dustin (Taylor) made a couple diving catches that were big plays for us."
Washington ends its season at 10-12 overall, 6-6 in the SCOL. The Blue Lions defeated HHS last Friday, giving MHS and the Indians the same record in the SCOL.
The Tigers continue their year with an overall record of 19-7. MHS went 8-4 in the SCOL.
McClain will host the Circleville Tigers on Thursday, May 13 at 5 p.m. at Mitchell Park, in Greenfield.
BOX SCORE
WSHS 100 020 0 - 2 3 3
MHS 210 011 x - 5 10 3
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