Prep Baseball Report

2023 OHSAA Tournament: Division II State Semifinal - No. 2 Washington CH vs Ontario


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer

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2023 OHSAA Tournament: Division II State Semifinal - No. 2 Washington CH vs Ontario

AKRON - At one point 3-9 on the season, the magical tournament ride of 14-loss Ontario lives for another day. 

The surprising Warriors knocked off second-ranked Washington Court House 2-1 in the Division II state semifinals on Friday to advance to Saturday’s 4 p.m. championship game against Kenston.

Carter Walters retired eight consecutive batters before a John Wall infield single and throwing error put the tying run on second base in the last of the seventh. But a ground out put an end to a 25-game winning streak by the second-ranked team in the state in Division II.

Carter Weaver went the first four innings for the Warriors, giving up just two hits to pick up the win for Ontario, which will attempt to win the second state title in school history, the other coming in 1994.

Colten Ramion scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the top of the fifth on a bases-loaded error. Peyton Dzugan led off the inning with a single and Ramion followed with a base hit after failing to put a bunt down twice. After a fielder’s choice putout at third, Gage Weaver singled to left.

With AJ Dallmayer now pitching in relief, Carter Weaver then hit a chopper to first that was mishandled allowing Ramion to score. Dallmayer got out of the jam with two strikeouts, but the damage had been done.

Ontario took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a Braxton Hall RBI single to bring in Gage Weaver, who led off with a single, stole second and moved up on a sacrifice bunt.

Court House evened the score in the bottom of the inning on a Will Miller two-out run-scoring single. After a hit-by-pitch, Wall ripped a sharp single to center in what appeared would put the Blue Lions in the lead. However, a perfect strike from Dzugan to Jake Chapman nailed Miller sliding into home.

It came down to the pitching of Walters after that for the Warriors, which will take a 17-14 record into the state finals.     

HOT TAKES

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Gage Weaver had half of Ontario’s six hits in the game while scoring a run, stealing a base and helping anchor the defense at shortstop making a winning pitcher out of younger brother Carter Weaver, who is now 7-1 on the season.

PLAYER OF THE GAME II: Walters not only earned the save, but was impressive in doing so. The sophomore right-hander, who started the game at first base, struck out three and did not give up a walk, fanning three in helping the Warriors reach the state championship game. Continuously getting ahead in counts, Walters threw 28 of 41 pitches for a strike.

DEFENSE SPARKLES: What a game to watch for baseball fans that love defense. The play in center field stood out, including the throw home from Dzugan. The best play of the day arguably came in the third when Dallmayer made a spectacular diving catch in right-center field as the ball hit by Evan Leach was slicing away, preventing at least one run from scoring. Had the senior headed to Lake Erie College missed the ball, it was a potential inside-the-park home run. Shortstop play also was strong, highlighted by a backhand grab by WCH's Wall, who then rifled a one hopper to first where TItus Lotz made a great scoop.

COACHING MOVES: It is always interesting to see when a coach decides to bring the infield in or stay back. While losing the game in the end, Court House head coach Mark Schwartz made what proved to be a great decision in the fourth. Scoreless with a runner on third and one down, the Warriors kept the middle infield back and it helped Wall make a nice catch on a soft liner for the second out. While the runner on third did score on a hit by the following batter, had Wall been playing in, the line drive would have been a hit and potentially opened the door for a big inning.

WHAT’S NEXT?: There are some huge holes to fill for Court House, which lose the top three pitchers to graduation - Lotz, Dallmayer and Friday’s starter Tanner Lemaster - along with catcher Jonah Walters. The middle infield combo of Wall at short and Bryce Yeazel at second base along with corner outfielder’s Miller and Evan Lynch give Schwartz a solid nucleus to rebuild.

LINESCORE

Ontario                                 000  110   -  2  6 2
Washington Court House   000  100   -  1  3 1

Records: Ontario 17-14, Washington Court House 26-2.

Winning Pitcher: Carter Weaver (4 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, 4 walks, 2 HBP). Other: Carter Walters (3 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts, 0 walks).

Losing Pitcher: Tanner Lemaster (4.1 innings, 2 runs, 6 hits, 4 strikeouts, 2 walks). Other: AJ Dallmayer (2.2 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 3 strikeouts, 2 walks).

Leading Hitters: (Ontario) - Colten Ramion single, run; Gage Weaver 3 singles, run; Carter Weaver RBI; Braxton Hall single, RBI; Peyton Dzugan single. (Washington Court House) - John Wall 2 singles; Bryce Yeazel run; Will Miller single, RBI.

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