By Travis Cox

Central Ohio Scout

Westerville, Ohio- Tournament time means one and done.  In the Division I Central District Final at Otterbein University it would have a matchup of two unsigned senior southpaws.  Thomas Worthington’s, Roscoe Blackburn (pictured) and Grove City’s, Kyle Bennet.

With a slow steady rain starting from the first pitch, the game became a pitcher’s duel from the start.  The first three innings were scoreless and both pitchers had given up only one hit apiece.

In the bottom of the fourth the momentum would soon change.  Cardinal catcher, Keegan Lanter and Blackburn would hit one out singles.  After striking out, second baseman Sean Lima, Bennet looked like he may escape the inning. 

However, outfielder Sam Ankrom, would hit a bloop single, but two throwing errors by the leftfielder and third baseman would allow, pinch runner Jarett Gerber, Blackburn and Ankrom to score on the play.

The damage was not done as the next hitter, Tommy Pischel would strike out, but an error by the Greyhounds catcher would allow him to reach base.  Designated hitter, Jace Komminsk would reach on an error by the third baseman to allow another run to score to give the Cardinals a 4-0 lead. 

Thomas Worthington was not finished, in the bottom half of the fifth, Emmerson Keppler (Mount Union commit) led off with a triple and shortstop Ben Miller would lace a 2 run homerun over the left field wall for a 6-0 advantage.  The homer un would finish Bennet’s day on the mound as Ben Myers would come in for relief. 

Blackburn continued to cruise through the Greyhound line-up as he kept them scoreless for six innings.

Coach Gussler and the Cards were looking to put more runs on the board in the sixth, when Komminsk would draw a one out walk.  Ben Highley would then hit a double to put men on second and third.

However, Mother Nature had other plans as the pace of the rain quickly picked up.  After a long hard rain the umpire crew decided to call the game and have it resume on Friday. 

On Friday, the Cardinals would continue where they left off as they tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth for a score of 8-0.

For the seventh and final frame, Miller would come into relieve for Thomas Worthington.  He would start the inning off by hitting Drew Nankivell.  Followed by a single and an error, the Greyhounds looked like they were in business for a potential comeback.

But Miller, would get the next two hitters to ground out , allowing two runs to score and eventually striking out the final batter to give his teammates an 8-2 victory.

Blackburn would finish the game with the win on the mound throwing six scoreless innings, while allowing just two hits and striking out four batters.

Grove City finished their season with a 20-12 record.  On the other hand, the Cardinals improve to 24-6 and will play Hilliard Darby in the Regionals semi’s at Dublin Coffman next Thursday.

 

To view scouting notes from games across Ohio, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week. 

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