The Galion baseball team’s quest for the Ohio High School Athletic Association championship will continue in Division III Madison District final Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers defeated Milan Edison 5-2 after scoring a 4-1 lead in the third inning at Madison Comprehensive High School Thursday afternoon.
“Couldn’t be more prouder of them,” said Galion head coach Phil Jackson. He said the team had a great week of practice, which showed on the field.
It took awhile for Galion’s batters to make hits at the beginning of the game, but the Tigers solid defense gave them enough opportunity to earn the runs.
“They made the plays and we didn’t,” Edison head coach Sean Hoover said.
Edison junior Braden Ehrhardt received an unwelcoming surprise after winning pitcher Matt Hardy got him out in a successful pickoff during the bottom half of the second inning. But the Chargers bounced back after Cody Scott was able to cross the home plate with help from Ben Gastier.
It didn’t faze Hardy who earned six strikeouts, six hits, two walks and a run.
“He’s a real pro,” Jackson said. “He has really stepped up in the [second half of the season].”
On the other hand, Edison pitcher Clay Cooper earned six hits, four runs, three walks and seven strikeouts.
The third inning was the highlight of the game when Tyler Castline, Josh Eckert, Hardy and Mac Spears were all able to cross the home plate. Spears, Hardy and Ryan Talbott each earned a run batted in.
Edison was feeling the pressure but was able to score one more run after Nick Frederick crossed the home plate in the sixth inning. Galion responded with Garret Kuns making a run at the top of the seventh inning.
Both teams were batted 28 times. Galion made six hits, three RBIs, five walks and struck out eight times, while Edison had six hits, an RBI, two walks and were struck out seven times.
The Tigers (14-9) will play either Clear Fork or Crestview.
