MOWRYSTOWN, Ohio — The Whiteoak Wildcats varsity Baseball team earned it’s fourth consecutive Southeast District Sectional Championship on Tuesday with a resounding 17-2 win over the Sciototoville East Tartans who scored first against the Wildcats but were unable to match Whiteoak’s offensive output.
Evan Brill got the start and picked up the win for the Wildcats as he pitched four strong innings, allowed three hits, two runs, walked one and struck out seven before Ryan Roberts relieved him in the top of the fifth inning to close out the 17-2 win with three strikeouts and two walks.
“You are not playing your opponent you are playing the game and I felt like overall we did a pretty nice job of that,” said Whiteoak Head Coach Chris Veidt. “Played solid defense, hit the ball hard all over the place and we threw strikes from the mound. It was good to get Ryan Roberts some work there late as well. It had been awhile since he had been on the mound but, he’s had a great year. He hasn’t lost a high school game in his career so, its good to get him some work and it just a beautiful day for baseball compared to what we’ve had hear lately with all the rain and cold weather. It was a good night.”
Traeten Hamilton got the Wildcats offense going in the bottom of the first inning with a lead off walk and then a steal of second base during the at bat of Zach Harless who reached first base on an error by East’s second baseman.
Harless stole second with Mason Lehr at the plate and Lehr singled before also stealing second against the Tartans.
Ty Large kept the offense rolling when he reached on an error to drive in Harless and put runners on first and third for the Wildcats.
Brill earned a walk to load the bases in the following at bat and Trey Bogart was hit by a pitch in the seven spot to plate Lehr.
Ryan Roberts followed up with a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Large and gave the Wildcats a 4-1 lead.
The Wildcats were able to keep the Tartans in check in the top of the second inning before dropping six runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 10-1 lead.
Hamilton, Lehr, Large, Brill, Roberts and Chase Butler all scored in the bottom of the second inning with Roberts and Butler each scoring with two outs in the inning.
Whiteoak added seven runs in the bottom of the third inning when Hamilton, Harless, Lehr, Large, Brill, Roberts and Billy Oliver all crossed the plate to push the Wildcats’ lead to 17-2.
As his team prepares for the District Tournament next week Veidt keeps reminding them of one thing, “We have been here before and you just play the game. We are going to a different venue which is fun. We have done it before against a good solid opponent and from this point on I can guarantee. We are just looking forward to that competition and quite frankly I think all of us would rather be in a close baseball game.”
Ryan Applegate is the Sports Editor for The Times-Gazette. Reach Ryan Applegate at 937-402-2572, or on Twitter @RCApplegate89.
