VERSAILLES — Fort Loramie broke open what had been a pitcher’s duel in the fifth inning of a Division IV baseball district final on Wednesday and ran away to beat Springfield Catholic Central 8-0.
The Redskins (23-6) earned their second consecutive district title with the win. They advance to face the winner of Lancaster Fairfield Christian vs. Howard East Knox in a regional semifinal. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday at Cincinnati Princeton High School.
Derek Meyer picked up the win for Fort Loramie. He pitched a complete game and gave up five hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.
Fort Loramie hadn’t had many baserunners until the fifth inning.
Logan Eilerman drew a walk and was thrown out at second on a fielder’s choice for the first out of the inning, but Calvin Hoying drew a walk and Meyer reached on an error. Maverick Grudich scored on the same error to give Fort Loramie a 1-0 lead. Evan Eilerman then hit a two-run single to center field to push the lead to 3-0.
Fort Loramie then pulled away with six singles and one walk in the sixth inning. The Irish walked in a run to push Fort Loramie’s lead to 4-0, then Meyer, Karson Tennery and Isaac Raterman hit RBI singles before the end of the inning to help push the lead to 8-0.
Raterman was 3 for 4 while Tennery was 2 for 3. Evan Eilerman finished with 3 RBIs.
The Redskins had 10 hits an committed one error. The Fighting Irish committed two errors.
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy 9, Versailles 2
The Tigers lost a Division III district final on Wednesday at New Lebanon Dixie High School.
Joe Ruhenkamp was charged with the loss for Versailles. He started and pitched the first inning and gave up three earned runs on two hits and two walks.
Versailles pulled within 4-2 in the fourth inning, but CHCA scored five runs in the fifth and sixth to pull away.
Noah McEldowney was 2 for 3 with one double for the Tigers. Jacob Treon was 1 for 2 with one walk.
CHCA had eight hits and committed two errors while Versailles had three hits and committed two errors.
The Tigers finish 13-12 overall.
Postponed: Minster vs. Pemberville Eastwood.
