By Alex Schillig
PBR Ohio Assistant Scouting Director

WARSAW, OH - Thursday brought us a Top 15 District Final match-up between the No. 9 ranked Steubenville Big Reds, and the No. 12 ranked John Glenn Little Muskies.  With a solid start by Sophomore Anthony Zorne, the Big Red squad was able to escape with a 5-4 victory, as they will now advance to Regionals.

Right out of the gate, the Steubenville order looked to take an early lead.  With two outs, both Anthony Zorne, and clean-up hitter Niko Petrides reached and came around to score giving Steubenville a early 2-0 lead.

John Glenn would respond in the bottom half of the first.  Leadoff hitter Ben Van Wey got the Muskies day started with a single, and was plated by a clutch two out Luke Klinehoffer RBI single.  

With a 2-1 lead, the Big Red lineup added more runs to the board, putting up what turned out to be an important three run inning.  Shortstop Bryan Pierro got the inning started with a one out single. Then John Glenn starter Parker Evans started to lose command walking the bases loaded.  Steubenville's Brandon Jones recorded an RBI as he coaxed the third walk of the inning, plating Pierro. Coming up with a two RBI single was Steubenville catcher Kai McClurg, pushing their lead to 5-1.  

With a four run deficit, John Glenn turned the ball over to left handed reliever Cameron Roberts in hopes of keeping the Steubenville lineup off the board.  The hard throwing junior did exactly what was asked, keeping the Big Red lineup off balance not allowing a hit in the fourth, fifth, and sixth inning.  

Going into the bottom of the sixth, the Muskies knew they needed to make some noise with the bats soon or their season would be over.  John Glenn senior Robbie Warne, and junior Corey Wilson led off the inning with back-to-back singles to right field setting the table for a big sixth inning.  With the bases loaded Pierro grounded the ball to second, but an error on the Steubenville defense allowed two John Glenn runners to score shrinking the Big Red lead to 5-4.  

In the top of the seventh Steubenville threatened to score, but reliever Roberts worked out of the inning with no damage done.  Roberts ended his day on the mound allowing one hit, and striking out an impressive nine Big Red hitters in just four innings of work

Left handed sophomore, Anthony Zorne finished out his gutsy complete game performance with a quick 1-2-3 inning in the seventh advancing the Big Red squad to Regionals.  Steubenville will play the play the winner of the Dover vs. Minerva match up next Thursday at Gant Memorial Stadium.

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.