Ohio State commit Alex Koelling scores in the second inning to give Mason the early lead. They would add seven more in an ……win. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
After a stellar season and 37 years of tournament frustration, Mason finally claimed its first title in OHSAA baseball with a ..win over Twinsburg in the Division I Final.
Akron, OH – It took 37 years from their last piece of state Finals hardware, but the wait was worth it for the Mason Comets.
They claimed their first-ever OHSAA baseball title in the Division I Final with an 8-1 win over Twinsburg, likewise seeking its first title after two previous trips to the Final Four (’06, and ’90).
Mason scored first inning, punching Ohio State commit Alex Koelling across to take a 1-0 lead, but busted things wide open in the fifth with three runs on five hits to extend their lead to 4-0.
Their only indecisive moment…pitcher Michael Bilo and shortstop Anthony Sulek lose communication on a fourth inning popup.
That was all that Division I collegiate prospect (George Mason commit) Michael Bilo would need, working the first 5.1 innings of 2-hit, nine strikeout baseball, and throwing just 80 pitches.
Bilo was dominant, and rewarded again in the sixth inning when Mason ensured their win with four more runs off Owen Shinada…8-0.
Twinsburg, however, was determined to at least score, and chase Bilo after their first two batters reached base in the bottom of the sixth. Bilo was relieved by Duke recruit Bryce Brannon, and Ben Hanley who combined to pitch 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.
Mason won the game with 8 runs on 11 hits and had no errors.
Twinsburg finished runner-up with 1 run on 2 hits and committed 1 error.
Mason had previously appeared in the Final Four in 2022, 2018, and in 1987, and finished runner-up in ’87 to state AA champion, Coldwater.
Twinsburg made its third appearance all-time, having previously qualified for the state Finals in 2006 and 1990.
The ‘Spot’ is the presenting sponsors of the 2024 OHSAA baseball tournament on Press Pros Magazine.com.