by Akron, Ohio – Thanks to a three-run third inning, the Hoban Knights held off Hamilton Badin, 4-3, in the first Division II district state semifinal Friday afternoon.
Badin jumped on top with a pair of runs in the first inning.
Leadoff hitter Landyn Vidourek drew a walk. He would later be part of a successful double steal to put the Rams ahead, 1-0.
Not too long after, Rodney Rachel beat out an infield single. Alert baserunning from Lucas Moore (scoring from second) made the score 2-0.
Hoban cut their deficit in half thanks to a bases-loaded RBI double from Zack Zimmerman. After a strikeout of Shawn Parnell, a double-play grounder bailed Badin out of any further damage.
In the third inning, Hoban loaded the bases once more. Nathan Shimmel drew a walk to tie the game. Sophomore Parker Falkenstein hit a two-run single to left field to give the Knights a 4-2 lead.
Noah LaFine (Vanderbilt commit) threw 4 2/3 innings on 91 pitches, giving up just a pair of runs on four walks and six strikeouts. Senior Caleb Kepler came on relief in the top of the fifth inning. After Diego DeCello’s single cut the Badin deficit to 4-3, Kepler induced a flyout to get out of the inning.
Badin pitcher Nik Copenhaver set down the last seven hitters he faced, five of them by strikeout, keeping the Rams in the game.
Caleb Kepler and Erik Rawlings each delivered a scoreless sixth frame. (Rawlings struck the side out)
Leadoff hitter Jimmy Nugent singled to left to start the inning. However, Kepler induced three flyouts to end the game and send the Knights to the state final once again.
Hoban (23-9) faces the winner of Chardon/Bishop Hartley in the Division II State Championship game Saturday night.
Hamilton Badin finishes their season at 26-7. Junior pitcher Nik Copenhaver (Washington State baseball commit) threw five innings, striking out 11 batters on 91 pitches.
