By Matthew Lee

In a Division III district semi-final game, No. 21 Massillon Tuslaw (18-8) squared off against Doylestown Chippewa (10-15) Monday afternoon in Creston.

The game turned into a pitching duel between Chippewa’s senior Shane Zacour and Tuslaw’s sophomore Alex Reed as both pitchers went the distance giving up a total of seven combined hits the entire game. Zacour surrendered four hits to Reed’s three.

Zacour breezed through the first two innings striking out the side in both innings. In the top half of the 3^rd, Tuslaw was able to get the lead-off runner on as freshman Gage Lau was hit in the side with a fastball. Reed helped his own cause and sacrificed Lau to 2^nd base. Senior Phillip Zorger (Mount Union recruit) singled and stole 2^nd to put runners on 2^nd and 3^rd. Zacour was able to strike out the next batter but gave up a two out single to sophomore Ben Wake to drive in two runs and make it a 2-0 game.

Tuslaw was able to take advantage of Zacour’s brief wildness in the top of the 5^th inning. Reed led off with a single. After a strike out, Zacour walked the next batter, hit the following batter, and then issued a bases loaded walk to senior Trevor Burkett to make the game 3-0.

That was all the runs Reed needed as he was in charge the entire game as he did not issue any walks while striking out four. The sophomore kept Chippewa off balanced the entire game with his fastball, consistently reaching the upper 70’s. He also seemed to throw the curve ball for strikes anytime in the count.

Tuslaw’s 3-0 victory spoiled Zacour’s effort as he fanned 15 batters. Zacour’s fastball topped out at 81 while consistently hitting 79-80. Tuslaw will move on to face Orrville, who beat Norwayne 2-0 in the other semi-final. The district championship game will be tomorrow at Norwayne High School at 4:30.