By Alex Schillig
PBR Ohio Assistant Scouting Director

DAYTON, OH - Saturday at Centerville High School the clear underdog, No. 50 Troy Trojans upset No. 4 Lakota West sending the highly touted Firebirds home earlier than expected. 

Both schools sent out their most experienced arms to start the game.  Lakota West handed the ball to Furman Commit Grant Schuermann, while the Troy Trojans used senior right handed pitcher Ben Langdon (pictured). Schuermann, and Langdon both kept their opposing lineup off balance for much of the game.  

Left handed pitcher Grant Schuermann made a statement in his first inning of work, striking out the side in order.  All momentum looked to be going in the Firebirds favor, but Troy answered quickly in the bottom of the second.  

Starting the two out rally for Troy in the second inning was junior Alec Demore.  Demore singled, and then went onto steal second base putting himself in scoring position.  Coming up with the clutch two out RBI was catcher Anthony Shoop, which gave the Trojans the spark they needed.  

The Firebirds threatened to score in the top of the third, but from there on Troy starter Ben Langdon was locked in.  

After working four innings, Lakota West starter Schuermann was relieved by hard throwing junior Austin Allinger.  Allinger kept the Trojan offense off the scoreboard but counterpart Langdon was just as good.

Langdon was able to dominate the Lakota West hitters not allowing a hit in the fourth, fifth, six, and seventh inning leading the Troy Trojans past the top ranked Firebirds.

Troy’s schedule does not get any easier on their road to Huntington Park.  Thursday they will No. 6 ranked Mason, and with a win they will go on to face the winner of No. 25 Beavercreek vs. the defending state champs No. 3 Archbishop Moeller.  

To view scouting notes from this game, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week.

To discuss this game, please visit our partner JJHuddle.