Chris Check
PBR Ohio Northeast Scout

AVON, OH - In a match-up of two quality young arms and teams, visiting Avon Lake won late in the eighth inning holding on to defeat rival Avon in the Division I sectional final matchup.

Juniors Scott Barnum (Avon) and Jeremiah Campo (Avon Lake) battled pitch for pitch on a wet evening on the turf at the Independent League Crusher’s All-Pro Stadium.

Avon Lake broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning when Campo drew a two-out walk and senior catcher Brad Hamilton (pictured right) drove a double to the left field wall.  Barnum got out of the inning getting the next hitter to fly out to right field.

The Eagles of Avon responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with a pair of two out doubles.  Senior second baseman Brian Baker smoked a double down the left field line, followed by senior shortstop Jonny Morales who drove the ball over the left fielders head scoring the game tying run.  Campo struck out the next batter to get out of the jam.

Avon looked to get another two-out rally in the fifth after hits by senior catcher Shaun Traine and sophomore right fielder Jeff Laraway.  Campo then got senior first baseman Kevin Maloney to fly out to right field to end the inning. 

Scott Barnum meanwhile was breezing through the Shoremen line-up retiring the side in order in the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th inning. 

Avon Lake threatened in the top of the seventh inning with back-to-back hits by center fielder David Winkel and third baseman Gary Kordish, but a double play got Barnum out of the inning.

The Shoremen pushed the winning run across in the top of the eighth inning when Campo drew a one out walk and stole second after Hamilton flied out to deep left.  Kuhar got the big hit of the game lining a pitch to right field scoring Campo from second, just ahead of Laraway’s throw.

Avon Lake senior LHP, Logan DeLong came in relief of Campo and set the Eagles down in order in both the seventh and eighth innings to get the win for the Shoremen. 

Avon Lake will play the winner of the St. Edward/Westlake match-up in the district semi-final game next Tuesday. 

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