Toby Hueber and Carson Marsh combined for a shutout to push the top ranked Crusaders past the Warriors 2-0 in Division I semifinal action. A Clay Burdette RBI single in the fourth put Moeller on top and the Crusaders never looked back.
Pitching Dominates Early
Photo by Al Kornspan
Outside of a couple of walks, both starting pitchers were able to hold the opposing offense without a hit through two innings. In the top of the third, Alex Covas hit a one-out single down the right field line. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Hueber got the next two batters to fly out and end the threat. After a dominant first three innings, Moeller was finally able to get to Walsh Jesuit starter Ryan Piech.
Leading off the fourth, Nate Manley laced a triple to left center. Up came Burdette, who singled through the right side of the infield to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead. In the top half of the fifth, Justin Bremner drew a lead off walk and was later moved to third on a two-out single up the middle from Covas. After Covas stole second, Hueber got a big strike-three looking to end the Walsh threat.
Crusaders Hold On Late
Photo by Al Kornspan
After Ethan Sweat led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, Carter Christenson laid down a sacrifice bunt that the pitcher threw away, giving Moeller two runners in scoring position with nobody out. A sacrifice fly from Hueber scored Sweat and gave the Crusaders a 2-0 lead.
After five innings of shutout baseball from Hueber, Head Coach Tim Held went to his closer, Carson Marsh, for the final two innings of the game. The Warriors would threaten one more time in the top of the seventh. With one out, Bremner hit a double down the left field line, followed by a walk to Raul Gamez. Much like he has all season long, Carson Marsh got out of the inning unscathed, keeping his scoreless inning streak intact and sending the Crusaders to the state championship game, their first appearance since 2015.
Championship Game Set
Photo by Al Kornspan
With the win, Moeller advances to Saturday’s championship game where they look for the ninth baseball state title in school history. The Crusaders will square off with the Olentangy Orange Pioneers. Orange advanced to the title game with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Anthony Wayne in extra innings. The first pitch is scheduled for Saturday at 10 am at Canal Park in Akron.
Top Performers
Walsh Jesuit
Ryan Piech: 6 IP 3 H 2 BB 6 K 1 ER
Alex Covas: 3-4
Justin Bremner: 1-2 2B BB
Archbishop Moeller
Toby Hueber: 5 IP 3 H 2 BB 5 K W 0-2 RBI
Carson Marsh: 2 IP 1 H 1 BB 1 K Save
Nate Manley: 1-2 3B BB
Clay Burdette: 1-3 RBI
Photo by Al Kornspan
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | R | H | E | |
| Walsh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Moeller | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | X | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Full Box Score: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=467452&_gl=1*1m18vhi*_ga*MjEzODU3MzQ4Ny4xNjg2MjQyMTM3*_ga_2ZWVK1X7BJ*MTY4NjI0MjEzNi4xLjEuMTY4NjI0MjI4OC4wLjAuMA..
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