WAPAKONETA — Coming into the sectional title game against Wapakoneta, Galion knew they would need to execute small ball. The Redskins received a great performance on the mound from Taylor Echols to negate such a thing.

Echols struck out seven batters and gave up no earned runs in Wapakoneta’s 6-2 win over the Tigers to capture a sectional title.

“We’re still struggling with some immaturity at the plate a little bit,” said Galion head coach Kenny Fagan. “He’s (Taylor Echols) a really good arm over there and we knew that coming in. I thought we had a pretty good plan but sometimes baseball doesn’t care about your plan.”

Sophomore Max Albert was charged with all six earned runs on the mound, still, his coach remained proud of his work on the mound. Albert has been the top option for the Tigers (13-10) this season on the mound as a sophomore.

“He had surgery in the winter, came back and grinded. He’s been our go-to guy all year, man. We’re going to ride him for two more years.”

Sophomore Braxton Prosser began the game with a single up the middle for the Tigers, he would have a pair of hits on the evening. The Tigers went on to put three more balls in action during the first inning, but each recorded outs. It was the theme in this one, Galion made great contact the majority of the game but was unable to get it past the Redskins’ defense.

Through the first two innings, Albert and the Tigers’ defense did their job. The scoring started in the third inning when Grant Jolly tripled to score a pair of runs. Kaden Moore recorded a single to bring across Jolly.

Again, it was Jolly striking again in the fourth inning. This time it was a run batted in with a single to left field. Jolly went 3-for-4 against Galion with three runs batted in.

Galion got on the board in the fifth after junior Holden Hunter ripped a double, and pinch-runner Trey Longwell scored on an error during the next at-bat. Echols bounced back with back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning with Wapakoneta (17-5) leading 4-1.

After a hit by a pitch and a double by Austin West, Ryan Price drove in another run for the Redskins with a sacrifice ground out. Relief pitcher Allen Carver was called for a balk to plate another run from third base.

In Galion’s final chance in the seventh, Braxton Prosser added another run for the Tigers when he drove in freshman Landon Prosser with an infield single. Echols was able to handle a blooper back to him to end the game.

The Tigers committed just one error and played pretty sound defense behind their pitching. Wapakoneta had two errors and eight hits.

Junior Carson Frankhouse added a hit for Galion to give them six total.

Galion started their season hot in 2023, winning eight of their first nine games. The Tigers had to fight through some adversity, which includes a seven-game losing steak. But it was Galion who came into Friday night’s game on a four-game winning streak, showcasing a sense of resilience.

“We’re still learning, we still have a lot of young guys,” said Fagan. “Really proud of the seniors and all of the work that they put in.“