Ranked #1 in the preseason poll, Archbishop Moeller (31-3) finished the job by taking down Olentangy Orange (23-11) 4-1 to win the ninth state championship in school history, the last coming in 2015. As has been the recipe all season long, the Crusaders got a huge performance from starting pitcher Zion Theophilus who pitched a complete game along with seven strikeouts.
Moeller Comes Out Hot
Photo by Al Kornspan
In the bottom of the first, CJ Richard got things started when he reached base via error, and Toby Hueber followed that up with a single to left field. After Jacob Tabor got the next two Moeller hitters to fly out, a throwing error brought Richard in to score putting the Crusaders up 1-0 after one.
Both offenses would get singles in the second, but both starters were able to limit the damage. Richard would get things started again in the bottom of the third, this time with a single through the left side of the infield. After Richard was called out at second on a fielder’s choice by Hueber, Nathan Manley hit a single of his own. After a throwing error on a steal attempt, Hueber came around to score putting Moeller up 2-0. A walk and hit by pitch loaded the bases, but Tabor was able to get out of the jam with a groundout to second.
Pioneers Claw Back, Crusaders Extend Lead
After being held in check by Theophilus so far, the Olentangy Orange offense finally cracked through. In the top of the fourth, the Pioneers got singles from Diego Astacio and Tyler Fuller to start the inning. After a flyout to right moved Astacio to third, Keegan Knupp hit an RBI single to short, scoring Astacio and cutting the Crusader lead in half at 2-1.
Leading off the bottom of the fifth, Hueber doubled to left center field, and after a flyout from Manley, stole third base. Clay Burdette snuck a single through the left side to score Hueber and extend the Moeller lead by one. After Charlie Niehaus reached via error, Connor Christenson singled to right center, scoring Burdette and putting the Crusaders up 4-1.
Down to their final six outs of the game, the Pioneers couldn’t crack Theophilus as the junior retired six of the last seven batters he faced to clinch Moeller’s ninth state championship with a 4-1 win over Olentangy Orange. The win ties the Crusaders with Newark Catholic for the 2nd most championships in OHSAA history.
@BigMoeBaseball wins OHSAA Division I State Championship!@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/JJxC8HHiFB
— Alan Kornspan (@careersinsports) June 10, 2023
@BigMoeBaseball players talk about winning the Division I OHSAA State Championship.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/fuT7vF5lfS
— Alan Kornspan (@careersinsports) June 10, 2023
Top Performers
Olentangy Orange
Jacob Tabor: L 6 IP 8 H 1 BB 3 K 3 ER
Diego Astacio: 2-3 R
Keegan Knupp: 1-3 RBI
Cole Cahill: 1-3
Archbishop Moeller
Zion Theophilus: 7 IP 6 H 1 BB 7 K 1 ER
Connor Christenson: 2-2 RBI
CJ Richard: 2-4 R 2 SB
Toby Hueber: 2-4 2 R 2 SB
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | R | H | E | |
| Olentangy Orange | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Moeller | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | X | 4 | 8 | 0 |
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