by Akron, Ohio – The Cincinnati Moeller Crusaders won their first state championship since 2015 with a 4-1 victory over Olentangy Orange in the OHSAA Division I State Championship at Canal Park.
Moeller got things started in the bottom of the first when CJ Richard reached base due to an error. Toby Hueber followed up with a single to put runners at first and second. A delayed steal attempt was successful, as Richard stole third, then raced home to put the Crusaders up 1-0.
CJ Richard led off the bottom of the third with a single past the third baseman. Hueber then reached on a fielders’ choice putout at short. He stole third and raced home on another Olentangy Orange error, increasing the lead to 2-0.
Diego Astacio led off the top of the fourth with a single for Olentangy Orange. Tyler Fuller followed up with a single. Keegan Knupp had an RBI grounder to second base to score Astacio, cutting the Pioneer deficit 2-1. The senior and Olivet Nazarene commit went 2-3 with a pair of singles and a run scored.
Toby Hueber hit a double to left field to lead off the bottom of the fifth. He stole third for the second time in the afternoon.
Clay Burdette added an RBI single to increase the lead to 3-1. Connor Christenson (Air Force commit) added an RBI single of his own to make the score 4-1. He went 2-2 on the day.
Sophomore pitcher and Zion Theophilus (Louisiana State commit), threw a complete game on 88 pitches. He allowed six hits, one run, walked one, and struck out seven batters. Toby Hueber went 2-4 with a double, single, and two runs scored. Ohio State commit and senior CJ Richard also went 2-4, with a run scored.
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