Derrick Webb, Managing Editor

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — Weather didn’t affect Braedon West on Tuesday night.
Through a chilly, consistent drizzle, the Lynchburg-Clay senior spun an absolute gem, leading his Mustangs to a 6-0 win over Piketon in a Division V district semifinal at VA Memorial Stadium.
Going the distance, the right-hander tossed exactly 100 pitches, surrendering just two hits and striking out 11 Redstreaks — booking a return trip to a district title game in the process.

CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
“It was just knowing I had a good defense behind me,” West said after the win. “It didn’t really worry me to put a ball over the plate that I knew [hitters] could hit. I had trust in my defense.”
Through two innings, neither team collected a base hit as West found himself in a pitcher’s duel with Piketon’s Braylon Oliver.
LC’s Josiah Burns had been the game’s only base runner to that point, working a walk in the bottom of the first inning. He stole second and third but was cut down trying to score on a sacrifice fly, courtesy of Piketon center fielder Buddy Wilson, keeping the game scoreless.
In the third, the Redstreaks mounted a two-out rally, loading the bases thanks to a single, an error and a walk. But West struck out the next batter looking, ending the threat.
“It’s amazing [to play behind West on the mound],” Burns said. “We usually know that if we’re out [in the field first], we’ll be coming in [soon]. We don’t have to worry about pressure. We know Cole [Wells] and Braedon are going to shut offenses down.”
The Mustangs finally graced the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to Burns.
The senior doubled into deep right field before stealing third. He’d score on a passed ball to give LC a 1-0 lead — all West would need to pick up a win on the bump.
“My main goal is just to get up there and get on base,” Burns said. “I want to work deep into counts and make them throw a lot of pitches. If they throw me a fastball, and that’s what [Oliver] gave me in that at-bat, I’ll swing the bat. But I just try to work the count.”
In the fifth, the Mustangs (20-3) played add-on as a double steal attempt worked to perfection.
With Trevor Niehaus on third and Elam Faust on first, both runners took off. Piketon (12-16) elected to take the out between first and second base. But Niehaus was able to score before the out, pushing the lead to 2-0.
In the sixth, after Burns and Austin Bell each scored on passed balls to make it a 4-0 ballgame, Cody Bell put a cap on the victory with a two-run single to produce the night’s final.
“It’s been our goal since the beginning of the season that, when we make it to a district final, we want to keep it going, set new school records and go further than any other team has,” West said.
Burns set the tone for the Mustangs’ offense, finishing 1-for-1 with two walks, a double, four stolen bases and two runs. Bell also helped out, going 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs.
The Redstreaks’ two hits belonged to Wayde Fout and Gavin Blanton.
While Piketon’s season comes to a close, the Mustangs advance to a Division V district final at 7 p.m, Thursday at Ohio University.
They’ll meet with Portsmouth in a rematch of last year’s district title game — a 6-5 Trojan win.
“Our coach challenged us at the beginning of the season to win 22 games,” Burns said. “We’ve got a few more to go, but I think we can do it. This team is tough.”
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