Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — In a highly-anticipated regional semifinal baseball clash between Valley and Wheelersburg, it was Caden Conn who stole the show with an incredible effort on the mound.
The junior left-handed ace led his Pirates to a 4-1 victory at VA Memorial Stadium, showcasing his dominance — again — and securing a place for his team in a Division III regional final.
Wheelersburg is now one win from the state tournament.
“This was a really talented team,” Conn said. “I had to come in knowing that the last two games [against Valley] didn’t matter and that they were going to be prepared. I just went out there and gave it my best and it worked. We knew what we could accomplish since the beginning of the year. Coach always said it was right there in front of us. We just have to go take it. I feel like we’re taking it all right now.”
Both Conn and Valley’s George Arnett retired the side quickly in the first inning.
Conn needed only six pitches to set down the Indians, recording a strikeout along the way. Arnett matched his counterpart’s efficiency, getting three outs with an eight-pitch effort and closing the sequence with a strikeout of his own.
But in the second, the Indians managed to break the deadlock.
Carson Powell drew a walk to lead off, followed by a screaming double from Tate Queen that put Powell on third. With a sacrifice fly from Hunter Edwards, Powell crossed the plate, giving Valley the early 1-0 lead.
However, the Pirates responded in the bottom half of the second with a promising offensive surge.
Lane Hutchinson led off with a single, and Creed Warren was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on. Kolton Salyers then showcased his prowess with an infield hit, loading the bases with just one out.
But the Indians’ defense turned a well-executed 1-2-3 double play, preventing any runs from scoring.
Both pitchers continued to impress throughout the third inning. Conn effortlessly retired the Indians, once again needing only six pitches to dispatch three hitters, while Arnett matched his efforts once again.
After a scoreless top of the fourth, the Pirates finally broke through offensively.
Issac Bockway and Lane Hutchinson were both hit by a pitch to lead things, and pinch-runners, Landon Hutchinson and Breyden Byrd, took their places on the base paths.
A failed sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in a forceout at third base, but Jake Darling stepped up with an RBI single to score Hutchinson. Salyers followed with an RBI double, allowing Darling to come around to score, extending the Pirates’ lead to 3-1.
And with Conn dealing, that was more than enough run support.
“That’s been him all year,” Wheelersburg coach Derek Moore said of Conn. “All the awards he has gotten or should have gotten, that’s what he has been. People that don’t see him every day might be taken by surprise. But he has put in so much time and hard work and it has paid off. I know he will be itching to get another shot on the bump this year. I’m just super proud of him and he deserves everything he’s got.”
Conn continued to dominate in the fifth and sixth innings, only allowing a leadoff single to Hunter Edwards in the top half of the sixth, who was left stranded.
The Pirates added insurance in the bottom half with an RBI double from Darling, bringing home the team’s fourth run of the game to extend the lead to 4-1.
With the game on the line, the Indians tried to mount a comeback in the seventh, even managing to get a two-out base runner, But the comeback effort ultimately fell short as Conn showcased his poise, sealing the deal with a strikeout and securing the victory.
“It’s more rewarding. When you get put in these shoes, you know all the hard work and dedication it takes, and I’m just super proud of our guys,” Moore said. “I want to give a shout out to Valley. I mean it stinks we had to meet in the semifinal and not the championship with how good our league has been. But huge kudos to those guys and we’re blessed to have another game.”
In seven innings, Conn allowed just one run and struck out three hitters. Offensively, Darling led the way, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs while Salyers contributed with a 2-for-3 effort, including a crucial RBI double.
Wheelersburg will now meet with Eastern Brown or Harrison Central in a Division III regional final. That contest will take place at 3 p.m. and will be played at Lancaster’s Beavers Field.
SPONSORED BY GLOCKNER FAMILY OF DEALERSHIPS
