By Dylan Hefflinger
Managing Editor/NW Scout 

EAST LANSING, MI – The runners-up in 2013, Richmond Blue Devils are headed back to the state championship game after defeating the DeWitt Panthers 2-1 behind a solid performance on the mound by Adrian College commit Zach Leach.

After the first two innings were scoreless, the Blue Devils broke through with a run in the third.

With two outs, Zach Leach roped a double to right center and scored on a bullet to left by Ryan Boyd to put Richmond on top 1-0.

DeWitt answered with one in the 5th.

The nine-hole hitter Chris Ruby got the ball rolling with two outs with a single, steal of second, advanced on the throw to second and later scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded to tie the game at 1-1.

However that was all that Zach Leach would give up as the righty went the distance allowing just the one run on four hits, two walks and a HBP while striking out five. 

With the score knotted at 1-1 in the sixth, Richmond's junior catcher Evan Kratt (Central Michigan commit) roped a one out single past the DeWitt third baseman. Junior Dillon McInerney followed with a deep fly over the center fielders head for an RBI double that scored Kratt and put the Blue Devils on top 2-1.

Top Performers:

• Zach Leach, picked up the win on the mound going the distance allowing just one run on four hits, two walks and a HBP while striking out five. At the plate Leach had a single, double and run scored.
• Dillon McInerney, had a single, double and RBI. The double scored the eventual game winning run.
• Dustin Leach, had a bunt single, walk and two stolen bases out of the leadoff spot.
• Sam Smith, was the tough luck loser on the day as the lefty went seven strong innings allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four.
• Keaton Sackett, had a single, walk and HBP out of the leadoff spot for DeWitt.

Linescore

Richmond    001  001  0  -  2  8  1

DeWitt         000  010  0  -  1  4  2

Records: Richmond 35-3, DeWitt 23-11.

Winning pitcher: Zach Leach 11-1 (7 inning, 1 run, 4 hits, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks, 1 HBP).

Losing pitcher: Sam Smith 5-3 (7 innings, 2 runs, 8 hits, 4 strikeouts, 2 walks).

Leading hitters: (Richmond, 8 hits) – Dustin Leach single; Zach Leach single, double; Ryan Boyd single; Evan Kratt single; Dillon McInerney single, double; Nick Ottenbacher single. (DeWitt, 4 hits) – Keaton Sackett single; Justin Stygles single; Timmy Lowe double; Chris Ruby single.