Division I Regional Semfinals: Big Second Inning Pushes Perrysburg Past Jackson

Canton, OH: Facing off with Ohio State commit Landon Thiel, the Perrysburg bats showed no fear, scoring five runs in the first two innings en route to a 7-2 victory over Massillon Jackson. Junior JD Zeeb had a massive day at the plate for the Yellow Jackets, going 2-3 with a triple, a run scored, and four RBI.

The Polar Bears came out of the gate hot, wasting no time in getting their offense rolling. Darek Stoudt got things going for Jackson with a one-out single to left, followed by a ground-rule double by Dylan Lahr. Then, with two outs, Nico Kuty hit a bloop single to left that scored both runners to put Jackson up 2-0.

With one of the best pitchers in the state of Ohio on the bump for Jackson, Perrysburg got a one-out single from Ryan Rettig, who then stole second. After a fly-out to right field, Brayden Heitmeyer hit a single to center to put the Yellow Jackets on the board, trailing 2-1.

A lead-off walk by Cole Baker, followed by a ground-rule double from Noah Colando, gave Jackson runners at second and third with no outs. Unfortunately for the Polar Bears, Preston Faris locked in and retired the next three hitters in order. 

Landon Winters led off the home half of the second by drawing a walk, followed by a walk to Asher Lattimore, and a one-out single from Noah Lindsey. With the bases loaded, JD Zeeb drilled a triple to the left field wall that cleared the bases. Zeeb would score himself on a sacrifice bunt by Rettig, giving the Yellow Jackets a 5-2 lead after two.

Over the next two innings, Jackson would have runners reach base, but all three were left stranded. Their best threat would come in the fourth when Noah Colando was left at third.

In the bottom of the fourth, Tyler Palmer hit a lead-off single for the Yellow Jackets. After Lattimore was hit by a pitch, Zeeb hit a one-out single that scored Palmer. With runners at the corners, Rettig hit a sacrifice fly that scored Lattimore, giving Perrysburg a 7-2 lead. 

Trailing big late, Colando hit a one-out single in the top of the fifth for Jackson. A pitch hit Kenyon Oakes, and with two outs, the Polar Bears had runners at second and third. As had been the case throughout the game, Aaron Banks got a big strikeout to end the threat.

Jackson would get one more at-bat in the seventh, but Banks retired the side in nine pitches, sealing the 7-2 victory for Perrysburg.

Up Next

The Yellow Jackets will look to secure their ticket to the state semifinals on Thursday when they face off against the Medina Bees for the Regional Championship. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 pm at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium in Canton.

Top Performers

Jackson Polar Bears

Nico Kuty: 2-4 2 RBI

Dylan Lahr: 2-4 2B R

Noah Colando: 2-3 2B

Perrysburg Yellow Jackets

JD Zeeb: 2-3 3B 4 RBI R

Ryan Rettig: 1-1 2 RBI R SB

Asher Lattimore: 0-1 2 BB R