The Washington Blue Lions varsity baseball team hosted the Panthers from New Lexington High School in a Division II Sectional championship game Wednesday, May 18.
In a light, steady rain that might have stopped for a moment or two at times, the teams challenged each other with the winner getting a trip to Athens and a spot in the District tournament.
New Lexington took an early 1-0 lead, but it was Washington scoring in the third through sixth innings to post a 10-1 victory.
Washington will take on Circleville in the District semifinals Monday at Wren Stadium at Ohio University Monday at 5 p.m.
Tanner Lemaster started and pitched six innings for the win for the Blue Lions. He allowed four hits and one earned run with one walk and six strikeouts. He hit one New Lexington batter.
A.J. Dallmayer pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning, striking out two batters to end the game.
Tatem Toth started for New Lexington and pitched 4.1 innings, suffering the loss. He allowed seven hits and six runs (one earned) with no walks and five strikeouts. He hit four Blue Lion batters.
Hunter Kellough pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits and four runs (all earned) with three walks and one hit batsman.
Agriest pitched one scoreless inning with one walk and one strikeout.
New Lexington scored in the top of the first with a one-out walk, a stolen base and a two-out single.
The Blue Lions had a single by Karson Runk and Titus Lotz was hit by a pitch. However, those runners were stranded.
After New Lexington went out in order in the second, Bryce Yeazel had a two-out ground single back up the middle, but he was left on base.
The Panthers were retired in order again in the third inning.
The Blue Lions scored what proved to be all the runs they would need with three in the third.
With two away, A.J. Dallmayer reached second on an error.
Lemaster followed with a double to score Dallmayer and tie the game.
Tyler Tackage was hit by a pitch and a balk moved runners to second and third.
Jonah Waters hit a single to left field that gave the Blue Lions a 3-1 lead.
Lemaster retired the New Lexington side in order in the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, Bryce Yeazel led off with a single to right and Evan Lynch put down a bunt and was safe for an infield hit.
Runk then bunted for a sacrifice, putting the runners in scoring position.
Titus Lotz then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Yeazel to make it 4-1, Blue Lions.
New Lexington threatened to score in the top of the fifth.
With one away, there was a single and a stolen base, followed by an infield hit, putting runners on the corners.
With two out, the next batter was hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
The next batter hit a sinking line drive to Dallmayer in center. He slipped on the wet grass, but righted himself and made the catch to end the inning.
In the fifth for the Blue Lions, after the first batter was retired, Tackage hit a single to left and Waters and John Wall were subsequently hit by pitches.
Yeazel reached on an error that allowed Tackage and pinch-runner R.J. Foose to score to give the Blue Lions a 6-1 lead.
In the top of the sixth, the first New Lexington batter hit the ball to Yeazel at third base. He made a nice, sliding stop and threw the runner out at first.
The next batter for New Lexington had an infield hit, but the following batter fouled out to Yeazel.
The next Panthers batter grounded out to end the inning.
Washington batted for the final time in the bottom of the sixth.
Runk led off with a single to center and Lotz and Dallmayer both walked, loading the bases.
Lemaster singled, scoring Lotz and pinch-runner Collin Southworth to make it 8-1.
Tackage walked and Waters was hit by a pitch.
Dallmayer scored and Wall had a sacrifice fly that scored pinch-runner Gabe Wightman that made it 10-1.
Washington left the bases loaded, but, no matter.
Dallmayer came on and retired the side in order to seal the 10-1 Sectional championship victory.
New Lexington ends the 2022 season with a record of 8-14.
Last season the Blue Lions lost in the opening game of the tournament at Sheridan, 1-0.
This is the first time in Washington head coach Mark Schwartz’ five years (four seasons, due to the 2020 season being cancelled because of COVID) that the Blue Lions have won the Sectional.
“Tanner gave us six strong innings,” Schwartz said. “That’s the way Tanner has pitched all year. He looked like he was a little off early, but then it seemed like he got stronger as the game went on.
“He kept pounding the strike zone,” Schwartz said. “And our defense was great.” Washington played error-free baseball, while New Lexington committed three errors.
“A.J. made a great play in center field,” Schwartz said. “Bryce Yeazel made a great diving catch at third. Overall, it was great defense and another great team win.
“Bryce has been on fire the last two games,” Schwartz said. “Tanner got a couple more hits. Jonah Waters had a big two-run single. Karson had a couple of hits. It’s great to have him back at the top of the order.”
The Blue Lions improve to 16-5 on the year and will face Circleville in the District semifinals Monday at 5 p.m. at Ohio University in Athens.
Circleville knocked off Jackson, 9-2 Wednesday.
Also Wednesday, Sheridan beat Warren, 5-2 and Unioto defeated Hillsboro, 12-2.
Sheridan will play Unioto Monday at 8 p.m.
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NL 100 00 0 — 1 4 3
W 003 124 x — 10 9 0
