by Akron, Ohio – Connor Gatti’s walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning led Waynedale to a 2-1 victory over Milan Edison in the OHSAA Division III state championship game.
The Waynedale Golden Bears went into Saturday’s contest winners of 24 straight games. Milan Edison was making their first appearance in the state final in school history.
Waynedale took the lead in the first inning thanks to Timmy Short beating out a fielder’s choice grounder. Josiah Raber, who got on thanks to a fielder’s choice, came around from second and scored on the ensuing error.
From there, the pitchers took over, matching zeroes through the fourth inning. In the fifth inning, Milan Edison finally broke through.
Bryce Michaelis had a one-out single in the fifth inning. He stole second, and scored on a Thomas Simon single to right.
Milan Edison pitcher Ben Bates kept Waynedale off the board in the next three innings, racking up the strikeouts as the game progressed.
Waynedale sophomore starting pitcher Otto Solorzano matched with zeroes of his own through the sixth and seventh innings.
Bates’ strikeout sent the game into extras, and Milan Edison got a pair of runners on in the eighth. However, Solorzano worked out of it with a popup and a strikeout.
In the bottom of the eighth, Braden Hershberger led off with a single to center, and advanced to second on a bunt. A walk and a fielder’s choice later, the stage was set for Connor Gatti.
And Gatti delivered a walkoff single to right center field, scoring Josiah Raber and setting off a celebration for the Golden Bears, who captured their first title in school history.
Otto Solorzano threw 111 pitches in eight innings, allowing one run on nine hits and striking out seven.
Ben Bates was equally as impressive for Milan Edison. He threw 115 pitches in 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking three, and striking out nine.
