Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — Coming into Saturday’s contest, Carson Powell had already pitched twice against Wheelersburg this season.
No one from a pitching perspective knew the Pirates better. So it was only fitting the Indians trusted their ace to come through in a big spot.
He responded with the game of a lifetime.
With the spotlight on him, he tossed a no-hitter and struck out nine batters, leading the Indians (18-6) to a 3-1 victory over Wheelersburg in a Division V district final — their fourth district crown in five years.
“No one has any idea what all Carson battled and fought through, just not just to pitch, but even play in this game,” Valley coach Nolan Crabtree said. “That kid is a warrior. He’s in such pain and dealing with an injury, I nearly pulled him after the second inning. But he fought out for the team. He’s a special player, this is a special team and with the amount of injuries throughout the team, this win is truly special.”
Valley had come close to scoring in the opening three innings, but it finally broke through in the fourth.
With a runner on second, Wheelersburg (18-8) committed a fielding error that allowed the run to score and put the Indians ahead 1-0.
The Indians built on that lead and created distance in their next at-bat.
After a hit by pitch and a stolen base put a runner on second, Powell helped his own cause, driving him in with an RBI single.
Powell proceeded to score when Tate Queen ripped an RBI triple to the right field wall, making it 3-0 Indians and ultimately putting a bow on the victory.
“If we got two runs on the board, I knew we’d have a really good chance to win. We had a chance earlier with a runner on second, but Wheelersburg made a great diving play to end the inning,” Crabtree said. “Carson has struggled at the plate recently, so I was really happy he got one to go and drive a run in. Tate hits the blast and you could feel all the energy shift into our dugout.”
In addition to his night on the bump, Powell finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and Queen was 1-for-1 with a triple and an RBI.
While Wheelersburg’s season comes to an end, Valley advances to a Division V regional semifinal against Lynchburg-Clay, who beat Portsmouth 3-2 on Thursday to advance.
That game will happen at 5 p.m., Wednesday at Marietta College.
“Wheelersburg is a great team with one of the richest baseball traditions in Southeast Ohio, and our kids just battled the way they have all season,” Crabtree said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them for the toughness they have showed all season. I know we’re going to see another great pitcher on Wednesday facing Cole Wells, who is one heck of a player. We’ve had success in [the regional tournament], and we’ve taken some tough losses. Lynchburg beat us last season in the playoffs, so we know a little bit of what they’re about. We just have to keep fighting and if we do, then I like our chances.”
SPONSORED BY SCHMIDT FAMILY RESTAURANT GROUP
