by Akron, Ohio – Thanks to a four-run bottom of the sixth inning, Waynedale defeated Ottawa Hills, 6-2, in the Division III state semifinals at Canal Park.
Senior pitcher and Ohio commit Trey Barkman toed the rubber for Waynedale, and junior pitcher Sebastian Stevens did the same for Ottawa Hills.
In the top of the first, Reddik Pillarelli beat out a baltimore chopper in front of the pitcher’s mound. AJ George followed up with a walk. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. Sebastian Stevens hit a grounder to first to plate Pillarelli and put Ottawa Hills ahead, 1-0. Jackson Snyder reached on an errant throw to the first baseman, scoring George and increasing the lead to 2-0.
The Golden Bears put a pair of runners on in the bottom of the second. Connor Gatti laid down a bunt, and Stevens’ throw to third barely beat the runner for the first out. Stevens then got an inning-ending double play to snuff out the Waynedale threat.
Waynedale broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning to even the score.
Connor Gatti led off with a single, and Timmy Short followed with one of his own to put runners at first and second. Trey Barkman followed with a two-run single to bring both runners home and knot the score at 2. Jayden Schlabach reached on an error at second to put runners on first and second.
Stevens then picked Barkman off at second base for the first out, then got Gavin Spitler to strike out for the second out. He then got a flyout to end the threat.
On the other side, Trey Barkman was dialed in for the Golden Bears. After a third inning double from Jack Eidener, he set down 11 hitters in a row, keeping the score knotted at 2.
He led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a walk. Jayden Schlabach reached on an error to put runners at first and second. Gavin Spitler followed up with a sacrifice bunt to second and third. Spencer Coblentz then hit a two-run single to left field to put Waynedale ahead, 4-2.
Tate Venables then followed up with an RBI single of his own to increase the lead to 5-2. Dylan Raber would then add an RBI single of his own to score Venables and increase the lead to 6-2.
Trey Barkman then finished off the complete game, working around a hit and a walk to finish the game and put the Golden Bears in the state championship for the second year in a row. He allowed just three hits, walked one, and struck out six on 123 pitches.
Waynedale, now 23-9, advanced to the Division III state championship game on Saturday, June 11th.
Ottawa Hills finishes their season at 22-11.
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