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Akron, Ohio – In the first Division I state semifinal of the OHSAA Baseball tournament, Cincinnati Moeller knocked off Walsh Jesuit, 2-0, at Canal Park Thursday morning.
Toby Hueber (George Mason commit) toed the rubber for the Crusaders, and Ryan Piech did the same for the Warriors. Walsh Jesuit got a couple of runners on in the first inning, but Hueber got out of trouble without giving up a run.
The two teams traded zeroes from then on until the bottom of the fourth inning. Nathan Manley (Wright State commit) led off with a triple to left-center field. Clay Burdette (Ohio State commit) followed up with a single to left to score Manley, putting the Crusaders ahead, 1-0.
Walsh Jesuit put a couple of runners on base, thanks to a walk, then a single from Alex Covas. But Toby Hueber got a huge strikeout of Joey Canzoni to end the frame.
Ethan Sweat led off with a single to right field. Carter Christenson then laid down a sac bunt, but reached base when Piech’s throw went past the first baseman to put runners at second and third. After CJ Richard struck out, Toby Hueber helped his cause with a sacrifice fly to center.
Junior Carson Marsh came on in relief for the Crusaders in the top of the sixth. He retired the side, as did Ryan Piech in the bottom half, keeping the score 2-0.
Walsh Jesuit made one more rally attempt in the top of the seventh. Justin Bremner hit a one-out double to left field, and Raul Gamez followed up with a walk. Marsh got Salek to fly out to Conlan Daniel for the second out. Alejandro Covas came up as the go-ahead run, and Marsh grounded out to short to end the game.
Archbishop Moeller, now 30-3, advances to play on Saturday, June 10th, at 10am. George Mason commit Toby Hueber threw five shutout innings, allowing just three hits, a pair of walks, and five strikeouts. The Crusaders advanced to their first state final since 2015. They will take on Olentangy Liberty, who defeated Anthony Wayne, 3-2, in nine innings in the other semifinal.
Walsh Jesuit ends their season at 26-4-1. Senior pitcher Ryan Piech (Xavier commit) threw a complete game, allowing just one earned run on three hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Senior outfielder Alejandro Covas (Youngstown State commit) went 3-4 with three singles.
