By Dylan Hefflinger
Managing Editor/NW Scout 

COLUMBUS, OH – In a battle of two contrasting programs No. 10 Newark Catholic (14 state appearances) and Berlin Center Western Reserve (first state appearance in history), the traditional power uses a big sixth inning to advance to its 11th state championship game (seven state championships).

With Newark Catholic up just 2-1, a four run sixth inning put away Western Reserve.

In the sixth, Mitch Lohr led off the inning with a single to right field advancing to second on a perfect bunt for a hit by Mike Lohr. With two on junior shortstop Rob Engle laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners.

After an intentional walk to BGSU commit Hunter Nance, Sean Thomas hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score MitchLohr and advance the other two runners up a base. Senior Connor Keck (pictured right) roped a two run double to left center to expand the lead to 5-2.

Gabe Morris scored Keck on a single to right field to put the Green Wave on top for good at 6-2.

Morris only needed three runs on the board for the Green Wave as the junior went 6 1/3 innings allowing just two runs (both unearned) on two hits and one walk while striking out three.

Western Reserve did have its chances in the second and seventh.

In the second, Tristan Bova reached on an error and promptly stole second. Dan Zilke doubled home Bova to get the Blue Devils on the board. Zilke moved up to third on a wildpitch but was stranded there.

After a ground out, walk and error ended the day on the mound for Morris, Engle came in to try to close out the game.

A fielder's choice and single up the middle was all Engle would allow as the Blue Devils left two on in the seventh in the 6-2 loss.

Top Performers:

• Gabe Morris (pictured right), went the distance on the mound allowing just two runs (0 earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out three.
• Connor Keck, had a huge two run double in four at bats.
• Mike Lohr, had two hits and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot.
• Rob Engle, had two hits, a sacrifice bunt and came in to close the game out in the seventh.
• Sean Thomas, had two RBIs while going 1-for-3 with a single and sacrifice fly.
• Mitch Lohr, had a good game behind the plate while going 1-for-1 with a walk and sacrifice bunt.

Linescore

Western Reserve       010  000  1  -  2  3  3

Newark Catholic        110  004  x  -  6  11  4

Records: Newark Catholic 20-7, Western Reserve 19-6.-

Winning pitcher: Gabe Morris (6.1 innings, 2 runs, 0 ER, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts, 1 walk). Other: Rob Engle.

Losing pitcher: Nick Allison (1.2 innings, 2 runs, 5 hits, 1 strikeout, 2 walks). Others: Tristan Bova, John Clegg.

Leading hitters: (Western Reserve, 3 hits) –  Walker Marlowe single; Dan Zilke double; Jon Timko single. (Newark Catholic, 11 hits) – Mike Lohr single, double; Rob Engle 2 singles; Hunter Nance single; Sean Thomas single; Connor Keck single, double; Gabe Morris single; Nick Halloy single; Jack Wollenberg single; Jon Timko single.