With at least two Ohio school vying for back-to-back titles, Defiance becomes the first with an extra-inning win over Hamilton Badin.
Note: Pickerington North has won the Division I title with a 2-1 decision over Cincinnati LaSalle….In Division III Berlin Hiland has won its first state baseball title with a 7-1 decision over Apple Creek Waynedale….Newark Catholic and Triad are to follow in Division IV.
Columbus – It was billed as the I-75 championship because Defiance and Hamilton Badin high schools are both located in proximity of the main north-south Ohio highway artery.
And, it was also billed as one of the back-to-back title possibilities in the 2006 OHSAA baseball picture, with Defiance seeking to repeat its Division II title of a year ago.
They didn’t disappoint the monster partisan crowd that made the trip into downtown Columbus from Defiance County.
Tied 2-2 after seven innings, second baseman Austin Taylor roped a single to center field in the bottom of the eighth inning to score University of Louisville-bound pitcher Shay Smiddy with the winning run, 3-2.
It marks the fourth state title for Defiance, having previously won in 2015, 2013, and 1992.
Badin, the runner-up, was seeking its third championship, previously winning in 1991 and 1996.
The other Ohio school seeking back-to-back honors is Newark Catholic, who plays Triad in the Division IV game at 7 pm. Newark is seeking is third title in four years and its ninth overall, which would move the Green Wave into sole possession of second place for all-time titles. The record is held by Cincinnati Elder, with 12.
“The Spot” is proud to sponsor coverage of the 2016 OHSAA State Baseball Tournament on Pros Magazine.com.
Defiance's Shay Smiddy hustles homes with the winning run in the Saturday's Division II title game with Hamilton Badin. (Press Pros Photo by Sonny Fulks)