Division I State Championship: St. Xavier Wins First Title Since 2003 Over Rival Moeller

Akron, OH: In the fourth matchup between the two squads this season, the St. Xavier Bombers took down their archrival Archbishop Moeller 4-2, the Bombers’ first baseball state championship since 2003. Liam McGeady was a force on the mound for St. Xavier, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out five. Jack Ryan led the way offensively with a 1-2 performance, scoring once and walking twice. For the Crusaders, Reggie Watson led the way offensively with a 2-3 performance, scoring once.

Ryan got things started offensively for St. Xavier in the first, hitting a two-out double to left field. He would come around to score on a throwing error to give the Bombers an early 1-0 lead. Moeller got a leadoff hit from Reggie Watson in the home half of the first, but he turned back into play after reaching first, getting tagged out.

Both sides stayed quietly offensively through the middle innings, until St. Xavier came alive again in the fourth. Dominic Dials led things off with a single to centerfield and then was replaced for a pinch runner, Thomas George. After a groundout moved him to second, Thomas would come around to score on a single by Cullen O’Brien. Instead of ending up at first, a throwing error allowed O’Brien to reach third. A sacrifice fly by Samuel Sprengard plated another, giving the Bombers a 3-0 lead midway through the fourth.

Late Inning Magic

Trailing by three with their backs against the wall, the Moeller bats finally came alive in the bottom of the sixth. One out singles by Kendon Wilson, Reggie Watson, and Adam Maybury loaded the bases. A single to left field by Conner Cuozzo scored Wilson, and a sac fly from Matt Ponatoski scored Watson, drawing the Crusaders within one with one inning left to play.

Cameron Shaefer got hit by a pitch to lead things off in the top of the seventh. Three batters later, Shaefer came into score on a sac fly by Braden Bricking to extend the St. Xavier lead to 4-2. Facing their final opportunity at the plate, the Crusaders were retired in order, giving the Bombers a 4-2 win and their first title since 2003.

Keys to the Game

The St. Xavier Bombers were wreaking havoc on the basepaths all game long, racking up six stolen bases in the contest. Stealing bases is nothing new to this Bombers’ squad, as they set their single season team steals record with 125.

The combination of Liam McGeady and Sam Vovak were key for St. Xavier, as the pair combined to allow just two earned runs and only one walk.

Top Performers

St. Xavier Bombers

Liam McGeady: 5.1 IP 1 ER 3 H 5 K 1 BB

Jack Ryan: 1-2 2B R 2 BB

Cameron Schaefer: 1-1 2 R HBP

Archbishop Moeller Crusaders

Reggie Watson: 2-3 R

Matt Ponatoski: 1-2 RBI

Nathan McDowell: 7 IP  3 ER  7 H  5 K  2 BB

Box Score: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=661280