Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — When things went sideways on Saturday, instead of letting the train go off the tracks, Southeastern regained control and steered its way to a victory.
Behind a strong pitching performance from Carson McWhorter and an offense that pounded out 13 hits, the Panthers shimmied around a six-run inning and handed Symmes Valley a 13-6 loss in a Division VI district semifinal at VA Memorial Stadium.
“We talked about jumping out early and we did that,” Southeastern coach Ron Free said. “And we knew we had Carson on the mound, which we feel comfortable about with a lead like that. We just needed to slow everything down in that one inning. We just didn’t take the east out like we should’ve. But the big thing was coming out and getting a big lead.”
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
McWhorter was in control all day long, except for what could’ve been a disastrous inning in the fifth. However, Southeastern had already built a 9-0 lead, negating any serious threat.
“We worked on something a little different in practice this week and we got that big, round swing out of everybody,” Free said. “I think that showed today. We hit the ball hard. We did a couple of different things to make it work and give the guys the look they wanted. I’m tickled with how it worked out for us.”
The Panthers (13-10) graced the scoreboard in the first inning, courtesy of Drew Leach.
Lane Williams began the frame with a single before Coleton Baxter followed suit with one out, putting runners on first and third. Brayden Burns drew a walk, loading the bases and Leach deposited a two-run double into right-center field, making it 2-0 early.
After two scoreless innings, in the top of the fourth, the Panthers seemed to blow the doors off the hinges.
Joey Pfeifer started a two-out rally before McWhorter helped himself with an RBI single, making it 3-0. After a walk to CJ Huff, a fielding error allowed McWhorter to score for a 4-0 count.
Williams then worked a seven-pitch to load the bases, setting the table for Gage Cheadle to uncork a three-run triple into right-center field, pushing the lead to 7-0. With Cheadle on third, Baxter walked before Burns extended the advantage to 9-0 with a two-run triple of his own.
PHOTOS: Images from Southeastern’s district win over Symmes Valley
But in the bottom of the fifth, Symmes Valley (15-11) answered with a six-run spot, catapulting themselves right back in the ballgame.
With an out, Asher Maynard singled to begin a rally before scoring on an RBI single from Bronx Carpenter, putting the Vikings on the board. Tanner Thompson would later work a bases-loaded walk before Will Jones logged an RBI single of his own, making it a 9-3 count.
An error allowed another run to cross home plate, followed by an RBI single from Tanner Corn. On the same play, a throwing error brought Thompson home, cutting SE’s lead to 9-6.
But after the Panthers settled down defensively, they got back to hitting in the top of the sixth.
Cheadle began the party with a two-out single before scoring on an RBI single from Burns. Baxter, who had doubled after Cheadle’s base hit, then scored on an RBI single from Leach, making it 11-6 headed into the bottom half.
The game’s final two runs came in the seventh when McWhorter, who had doubled, scored on an RBI single from Huff. A called balk then plated Cheadle, rounding out the day’s final.
McWhorter’s final pitching line included four earned runs on five hits and 13 strikeouts in seven innings of work — putting him over the 100-strikeout mark this season.
“Whenever he is on the mound, you’re in the game,” Free said. “He doesn’t waste a lot of pitches. He’s thrown seven complete games now. He always gives you a chance to win, no matter what. And he helps you at the plate, too.”
Offensively, Cheadle finished 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs and three RBIs while Burns was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Leach ended the day 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, and McWhorter added two hits, a triple and an RBI to the team’s totals.
The Vikings were led by Jones, who was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while Carpenter finished 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
While Symmes Valley’s season comes to an end, Southeastern advances to a Division VI district championship game at 5 p.m., Sunday at VA Memorial Stadium.
The Panthers will meet with Waterford, an 8-0 winner over Eastern Brown.
“I think we’re pretty lucky that we have a pretty good pitcher in our pocket right now,” Free said. “And defensively, with Carson not on the mound, he goes into the infield and makes it even stronger. So we’ll probably be as strong as we are at any other time. That’s a big piece for us. But if we just continue to field the ball and play the game right, we’ll be fine.”
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