Base D3 FINAL: #7 Wheelersburg wins pitcher's duel for second title

From ohsaa.org

Semifinal Game 1: Wheelersburg 3, Fredericktown 0
Semifinal Game 2: Lima Central Catholic 2, Orwell Grand Valley 0
Championship Game: Wheelersburg 1, Lima Central Catholic 0

COLUMBUS – Seventh-ranked Wheelersburg defeated unranked Lima Central Catholic, 1-0, in a well-pitched OHSAA Division III state baseball championship game June 2 at Huntington Park in Columbus.

Wheelersburg freshman pitcher Wade Martin took a 1-0 lead and perfect game into the seventh inning before Lima Central Catholic senior Travis Clark tripled with one out. Clark was pinch ran for by senior Ryan Cousey, who was thrown out at the plate on a ground ball fielder’s choice to sophomore second basemen Garrett Carmichael.

Wheelersburg (30-2) sealed the victory after a walk, ground ball, and an out.

Martin went the distance for Wheelersburg, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out nine. Central Catholic junior Nick Watkins went six innings, allowing only two hits and the single run.

The game’s lone run came in the Wheelersburg fourth, when senior Austin Boyer singled into left field. Boyer advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by junior Ben Arnold and to third on a wild pitch. Carmichael then grounded to the Central Catholic shortstop, who tried unsuccessfully to throw Arnold out at the plate.

Central Catholic, making its second state tournament appearance, finishes as state runner-up for the first time. The Thunderbirds finished the season 22-9.

In its fifth trip to the state tournament, Wheelersburg wins its second title, the first coming in 1996.