Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Senior Writer and Northwest scout

COLUMBUS – Cincinnati Moeller used three big innings to rout Aurora 13-1 in the Division I state semifinals. 

The Fighting Crusaders scored four in the third, four in the fifth and five in the seventh to advance to the state championship for the third time in head coach Tim Held's six years.

In the third, lead-off hitter Riley Mahan (pictured) roped a single up the middle and Jake Wampler followed with a bunt single. Spencer Iacovone then plated Mahan with a single to left. Cameron Whitehead brought home two more runs with a double to score Wampler and Iacovone to put Moeller on top 4-0.

In the fifth, Whitehead drew a walk and scored on a Zach Logue double. After a flyout, Nick Meece reached on a free pass. An error and a fielder's choice set the stage for Mahan. The University of Kentucky recruit roped a two-run single to left-center to give Moeller an 8-0 advantage.

No. 22-ranked Aurora got its lone run in the sixth. Senior third baseman Tyler Thomas led off with a single and later scored on an RBI single from senior catcher Frank Sivillo.

But Moeller broke the game wide open in the seventh, scoring five runs on five hits, a walk and an error.

Meece reached on an Aurora miscue and scored on an RBI single from Patrick McAlpine. A walk to Brian Buntz put two on for Mahan. The left-handed hitter blooped an RBI single to left, his fifth hit of the game to break the Division I mark of four and tie the all-time record of five set by Ron Schulze of Russia in 1971.

After a double by Wampler, Iacovone plated Mahan and Wampler on a two-run single to expand the Fighting Crusaders' lead to 13-1.

On the mound, Gus Ragland (pictured right) went six innings, allowing just one run on six hits and two walks while striking out seven.

At the plate, the Fighting Crusaders were led by Mahan who went 5-5 with five singles and three RBIs. Fellow Kentucky recruit Logue had a single and two doubles.

No. 2 Moeller moves on for a chance at a seventh state championship, and will face No. 12 Cleveland St. Ignatius which defeated Gahanna Lincoln 9-7. 

LINESCORE

Moeller  004 040 5 - 13 15 0 

Aurora   000 001 0 - 1 7 5

Records: Moeller 31-2, Aurora 28-5.

Winning pitcher: Gus Ragland (6 innings, 1 run, 6 hits 7 strikeouts, 2 walks). Other: TJ Storer. 

Losing pitcher: Jake Czerwinski (4.2 innings, 8 runs, 9 hits, 1 strikeout, 3 walks). Others: Adam Berger, Joey Zidones, Luke Calcei.

Leading hitters: (Moeller, 15 hits) - Riley Mahan 5 singles, 3 RBIs; Justin Wampler single, double; Spencer Iacovone 2 singles, 3 RBIs; Cameron Whitehead double; Zach Logue single, 2 doubles; Patrick McAlpine 2 singles. (Aurora, 7 hits) - Kirk Janoch 2 singles; Paulie Pistone double.