Local schools continue to compete in the 2023 OHSAA sectional baseball playoffs. The tournament started this week.
No. 3 Northmor 14, No. 17 Ridgedale 0
Four pitchers from No. 3 Northmor (18-6, 8-4) combined to toss a no-hitter, while the offense was also on full display, in a 14-0 blowout win over No. 17 Ridgedale (0-10, 0-9) in the opening round of the Division IV, Region 16 playoffs on May 13.
Northmor scored eight runs in the second and followed with a six-run third inning to take the win in the mercy rule-shortened game.
The win went to starter Trevor Brubaker, who went two innings while striking out four batters. Drew Hammond pitched one inning, striking out two batters and walking one. Bryce Cooper went one inning with a walk, but struck out the side. Sawyer Bailey also pitched one inning and struck out the side.
Brubaker was a force at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a triple, two runs and three RBIs. Cole Cuffman was 1-for-2 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Garrett Harvey was 1-for-4 with three RBIs and a pair of runs. Cooper Thomas was 1-for-1 with two runs, two RBIs and a walk. Hammond, Cuffman and Caiden Martinez each went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run.
No. 15 Wellington School 5, No. 11 Danville 3
Despite a three-hit day for Grayson Brokaw, the No. 11 Danville Blue Devils (6-13, 3-9) were kept in check by No. 15 Wellington School (5-11, 2-10), falling to the Jaguars 5-3 in the opening round of the Division IV, Region 16 playoffs on May 13.
Danville started the scoring with a run in the first inning, but the Jaguars tied things up in the third at 1-1. Danville tacked on two runs in the bottom half of the third inning to take the lead, but the Jaguars scored a run in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and a run in the seventh to take the win.
Danville had six hits in the game with Brokaw leading the Blue Devils with a 3-for-4 performance, while scoring two runs. Dustin Beckett went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Joey Mickley knocked in a pair of runs and went 1-for-4. Lane Cline also had an RBI on a sacrifice for Danville.
Errors proved to be costly for the Blue Devils, as the team allowed four unearned runs with three defensive miscues.
Zach Sapp went four innings on the mound for Danville, allowing four hits, two runs with none earned, one walk, while striking out four. Mickley pitched one-third of an inning, allowing two hits and two unearned runs. Brokaw went 2.2 innings, allowing one hit, one earned run, two walks, while striking out five batters.
Wellington School went on to play No. 4 Sugar Grove Berne Union and lost 9-6.
No. 11 Mount Gilead 9, No. 17 Centerburg 7
No. 11 Mount Gilead (9-15, 3-9) was fueled by nine RBIs from six players, to beat No. 17 Centerburg (3-18, 1-10) 9-7 in the opening round of the Division III, Region 10 tournament on May 15, in what was a seesaw battle until the end.
Mount Gilead went up 3-2 after one inning, but the Trojans then put two runs on the board in the second to take a 4-3 lead. Mount Gilead responded with a pair of runs in the third inning to go up 5-4. Centerburg scored three runs in the top of the fourth, but the Indians quickly responded with two runs to keep the game tied up at 7-7. Mount Gilead scored two runs in the sixth and were able to hold on for the two-run victory.
Hayden Somerlot, Judah Reid and Grahame Sherbourne each went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Somerlot and Reid also scored twice. Jonny Martinez was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Mason Barnum was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Cole Fricke also knocked in a run and went 1-for-4.
Fricke picked up the win for Mount Gilead, going three innings, allowing one hit, two walks and no earned runs, while striking out four.
The Indians went on to face No. 4 West Jefferson and results were not available at press time.
No. 3 Northmor 5, No. 5 Mechanicsburg 2
No. 3 Northmor (19-6, 8-4) followed up a convincing opening round win with another victory, this time in low-scoring fashion with a 5-2 win over No. 5 Mechanicsburg (14-4, 9-3) in the second round of the Division IV, Region 16 tournament.
The Indians scored both their runs in the first inning, highlighted by an RBI double by Mason Hess. However, Northmor then put up three runs in the fourth inning. Trevor Brubaker doubled to knock in a run, and then Bryce Cooper belted a single to drive in two runs.
Drew Hammond got the win for the Golden Knights, going seven innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out nine batters.
Brubaker went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run for Northmor. Bryce Cooper was 1-for-1 with two RBIs and a pair of steals. Cooper Thomas was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Next up for Northmor is the semifinals against No. 2 Lancaster Fairfield Christian Academy, who previously beat No. 12 Liberty Christian 13-1 and then No. 8 Madison Christian 2-0.
