by Akron, OH: Despite falling behind early, the New Albany Eagles exploded for four runs in the fourth inning to take down Walsh Jesuit, 4-1. Aidan Wyche picked up the win for the Eagles, throwing a complete game with seven strikeouts and just the one earned run. Offensively, Connor Bahr led the way with a 2-3 performance at the plate.
Walsh Strikes Early
Each team had runners reach base in the first inning, but each was left stranded. Sean McHugh kicked off the second inning with a single to center. Up came Will Blueter, who blasted a double to deep left field, scoring McHugh and putting the Warriors up 1-0. After a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third, Wyche got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat.
Connor Bahr beat out an infield single in the home half of the second, but a flyout to center left him stranded, keeping it a 1-0 game. Walsh would threaten again in the fourth, as McHugh hit a leadoff single to right and the Warriors loaded the bases with one out. Matt Mansberry hit a liner back toward the mound and Wyche snagged it, turning and throwing to third for the double play.
Eagles Soar
Following his single in the second, Bahr started off the bottom of the fourth with another, this time to left field. Van Routhier followed that up by beating out a bunt single, giving New Albany runners on first and second with one out. After Justin Speert flied out, Nick Nardell reached base on a dropped ball in rightfield, scoring Bahr and tying the score at 1-1. Caden Kistner came up and hit a single to right, scoring Routhier and giving the Eagles the lead. They were not done yet as a single to center by Remy Trautner scored both Nardell and Kistner, pushing the New Albany lead to 4-1 after four.
Walsh would get a little life with a one-out bunt single by Shawn Sullivan, but a fly out and a ground out halted the momentum. Aidan Wyche then locked in, retiring the final six hitters in order to secure the 4-1 victory, New Albany’s first since 2021.
Post Game Thoughts
Of the six championship games I covered in this year’s state tournament, this one was my favorite. High-level baseball being played between two elite squads, you cannot ask for much more. Both passionate fan bases were engaged and loud throughout, adding to the gravity of such an important contest.
Top Performers
Walsh Jesuit Warriors
Sean McHugh: 2-3 R
Will Blueter: 1-3 2B RBI 2 IP 2 K 1 BB 0 H
New Albany Eagles
Aidan Wyche: 7 IP 1 ER 7 H 2 K 2 BB
Remy Trautner: 1-3 2 RBI
Connor Bahr: 2-3 R
Box Score: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=661290
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | R | H | E | |
| Walsh Jesuit | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| New Albany | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 7 | 0 |
