by The Eagles took an early 2-0 lead, but the Yellow Jackets offense exploded in the third and fourth innings to seal an 8-2 victory for Perrysburg over St. Edward. Sophomore pitcher Tyler Palmer was dominant in relief, retiring twelve batters in order and striking out five in four innings.
Langston Lucas got things going for the Eagles in the top of the second with a two-out single to center. Four pitches later, Nick Variglotti laced a triple to the wall to give Ed’s an early 1-0 lead.
In the third, Brayden Page drew a one-out walk and, after two throwing errors, came around to score to make the lead 2-0 St. Edward. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Perrysburg bats came alive in the bottom of the inning.
Trent Bezek led off the bottom of the third by drawing a walk, followed by a walk to Quinn Weber. Connor Kessinger reached on a fielder’s choice, and a pickoff attempt from the pitcher soared past the first baseman, allowing Bezek to score. Matt Hubbard and Landon Winters drove in a run a piece on RBI singles, and the Yellow Jackets led 3-2.
After taking the lead, the Perrysburg offense had another big inning in the fourth. Abram Hire started things off with a single, and Bezek followed it up with a walk. After a sacrifice bunt moved them up a base, Kessinger hit a single that scored them both. Hubbard came through with another clutch hit, scoring Kessinger and Brady Zilles. Hubbard came around to score on an error, and the Yellow Jackets led 8-2 after four.
Needing runs in a hurry, the Eagles found no success against relief pitcher Tyler Palmer, who retired all twelve batters he faced in order. Down to their final at-bat, Palmer cruised through the bottom of the St. Edward order, sealing an 8-2 win for the Yellow Jackets and sending them on to the state semifinals.
Up Next
With the victory, Perrysburg advances to the state final four in Akron. Awaiting the Yellow Jackets are the Mason Comets, who upset #1 Archbishop Moeller in their regional final. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 pm at Canal Park in Akron next Friday.
Top Performers
St. Edward Eagles
Grant Lashutka: 2-3 2 1B
Langston Lucas: 1-3 R
Nick Variglotti: 1-3 3B RBI
Perrysburg Yellow Jackets
Tyler Palmer: 4 IP 0 H 0 BB 5 K
Matt Hubbard: 3-4 2B 1 R 3 RBI
Connor Kessinger: 1-4 2 R 2 RBI SB
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | R | H | E | |
| St. Edward | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Perrysburg | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | X | 8 | 8 | 1 |
