SOSA Staff Report
Here’s a look at results from the first three games of the Region V Tournament.
WAVERLY 142 2, PORTSMOUTH 23 1 (8 INNINGS)
CHILLICOTHE — It was a pitcher’s duel on Sunday at Hoffman Field and it was one that did not disappoint.
Waverly 142’s Cruz McFadden tossed seven innings, allowing just four hits and struck out 11 batters while Portsmouth 23’s Reece Whitley threw six innings, giving up just three hits and fanning 12 batters.
But in the end, luck was on Waverly’s side as the Shockers (14-9) pulled out a 2-1 win in eight innings.
Lane Mettler ripped an RBI single in the bottom of the first to put Waverly ahead 1-0. McFadden kept Post 23 on ice until the top of the sixth when Case Dyer drew a walk, moved to second, stole third and scored on a passed ball.
After failing to win the game in the seventh after placing runners on second and third, the baseball Gods granted 142 another chance to do so in the bottom of the eighth.
A fielding error allowed Easton Lanning to reach first base. Three batters later, with the bases loaded and just one out, a wild pitch allowed Alex Boles to cross home plate for the game-winning run.
Derek Eblin picked up the win for Waverly, pitching one shutout inning.
“Another quality outing for Cruz. He’s just tough to square up. Derek came in and threw very well,” 142 coach Jonathan Teeters said. “It was a tough game. I’m very proud of our team for how we handled ourselves with the adversity we faced.”
Waverly will play again at 6 p.m., Tuesday at Hoffman Field in the Region V championship. With the double elimination style tourney, the Shockers will have to be beaten twice for the crown.
WAVERLY 142 3, HILLSBORO 129 1
To get to its matchup with 23, Waverly 142 first had to beat Hillsboro 129 in its tournament opener.
Behind yet another strong pitching performance, this time via Lane Mettler, the Shockers pulled out a 3-1 victory to advance.
Mettler tossed five innings, allowing seven hits and an earned run while striking out seven. Kannon Pack led the Shockers at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a run while Eblin finished 1-for-2 with a double and a run.
For Hillsboro (8-19), Drew Pitzer was 2-for-4 with a run while Zach Humphries went 2-for-3. Cade Meade also had two hits, including a double.
Hillsboro 129 will play Chillicothe 757 at 3 p.m., Monday at Hoffman Field.
PORTSMOUTH 23 4, CHILLICOTHE 757 3
In the first game of the Region V Tournament, Portsmouth 23 edged out Chillicothe 757 by tallying the deciding run in the top of the seventh inning.
23’s Cade McNeil gave 23 the 4-3 win with an RBI single in the team’s final at-bat.
PHOTOS: Images from Portsmouth 23’s win over Chillicothe 757
Kyle Wingo took the loss on the hill for 757 while Elijah McNish pitched the first five innings. All four of 23’s runs were unearned. For 23, Elias Robson earned the win, pitching all seven innings.
The Colts (20-12) will get back to action at 3 p.m., Monday against Hillsboro 129. The winner of that game will then play 23 at 6 p.m.