Kenston (20-13) trailed from the first inning on but scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take down the Eagles (27-6), continuing their journey for the first baseball championship in school history. The hero of the regional semifinals, senior Parker Munday pitched a complete game, two hit gem with 12 strikeouts.
Eagles Take Early Lead
Photo by Al Kornspan
Chaminade Julienne wasted no time making noise on offense after JP Peltier drew a one out walk in the bottom of the first. Peltier stole second on a strikeout and the bal sailed into centerfield. As he advanced to third, the centerfielder’s throw got away from the third baseman, allowing Peltier to take home and give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Both teams had runners reach base via walk, but the next hit would not come until the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Jacob Brunner hit a single to right field. After a sacrifice bunt moved him to second, Patrick Gonter-Dray hit a single of his own to right center allowing Brunner to score and pushing the Chaminade Julienne lead to 2-0.
Bombers Come Up Clutch
Photo by Al Kornspan
Despite being held to just one hit through six innings, Kenston stayed within striking distance and would finally find their stride in the seventh. Leading off the seventh, Parker Munday started things off with a single to right. With one out, Bridger Bischof singled and Avery Siperke drew a walk to load the bases. Up came Carter Flynn who hit a single to right center, scoring Munday and Bischof to tie the game at 2-2. After Flynn stole second base, a L.A. Mighton single scored Grant Beclay, pinch running for Siperke to give the Bombers the lead. Not finished yet, Flynn made a dash to the plate, stealing home and giving Kenston a 4-2 heading to the bottom of the seventh.
With the end of their season just three outs away, Chaminade Julienne would have a runner reach base via error but could do nothing with the opportunity, as Munday slammed the door shut with a strikeout to end the game.
Championship Game Set
Photo by Al Kornspan
The 4-2 victory sends the Kenston Bombers to the Division II State Championship for the first time in school history. Up next for the Bombers is a Saturday afternoon showdown with Ontario (17-14). The Warriors advanced to the championship game with a 2-1 win over Washington Court House in the semifinals. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 pm Saturday afternoon at Canal Park in Akron.
Top Performers
Kenston
Parker Munday: 7 IP 2 H 4 BB 12 K 1 ER 1-3 R
Carter Flynn: 1-3 2 RBI R
Bridger Bischof: 1-2 R BB
L.A. Mighton: 1-4 RBI
Chaminade Julienne
Jackson Frasure: 6.1 IP 3 H 3 BB 4 K 3 ER 0-2 BB
Jacob Brunner: 1-2 R BB
Patrick Gonter-Dray: 1-3 RBI
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | R | H | E | |
| Kenston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| Chaminade Julienne | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
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