By Matt Wallisa

Same teams, different story.

That was the theme as Moeller faced off against Lakota East, the defending 2011 Division I State Champions.

Moeller's recipe for success has been pretty simple this year. 

Good pitching and big offensive innings, and Saturday's efforts proved just that.

Moeller struck early in the bottom of the first with three runs. Senior Ryan LeFevers lead off with a single. Ohio University recruit Ty Amann drove a double off the short porch in right field to put runners at second and third. 

A batter later, sophomore  Zach Shannon (OSU recruit) laced a double down the left field line to score both runners.  Furman recruit Jordan Simpson walked to put runners at first and second base for Wright State recruit Brad Macciocchi, who drove a single into right field to score Shannon and put the Crusaders up 3-0. 

Not relenting, Moeller two more runs in the second inning. Junior catcher Cameron Whitehead lead off the inning with a triple to right field and later scored on a pass ball.  Sophomore Riley Mahan followed by being hit by a pitch, one of his two on the day.. Mahan, with very good speed, stole second base to get into scoring position. A couple batters later, Mahan scored on a RBI single from the hot hitting junior Spencer Iacovone to put the Crusaders on top 5-0.

Moeller added two more in the bottom of the fourth inning. Mahan, who was hit once again, reached based. Iacovone added another hit on the day to put runners at first and second. After a Lakota East call to the bullpen, Mahan and Iacovone excited a first pitch double steal to put both in scoring position. Mahan went on to score on a passed ball and Amann drove in Iacovone with a single to put Moeller on top 7-0. 

Not willing to back down, Lakota East finally generated runs in the sixth inning. .Ohio University recruit Alex Corna doubled.  Moeller  allowed consecutive walks to juniors Tyler Gibbons and Chris Elam to load the bases for East. Junior Austin O'Harold followed with a single down the third base line to score two runs and notch the score closer at 7-2, but the East attacked stopped there as Moeller escaped the jam.

Bellarmine recruit John Hakemoller closed the game for Moeller with a hard 87 mph fastball and a sharp 76 mph curveball.

Senior John Tanner (Ohio University football recruit) picked up the win for Moeller going six innings while only allowing two runs and striking out six. Tanner relied on 84-87 mph fastball along with an excellent change up to keep the East batters off balance.

Junior lefty Derek Baker took the loss going 4 and 2/3. He allowed 7 earned runs. His fastball sat in the upper 70's and showed some run. His curveball sat at 70 mph, and he also showed a potential third pitch in a low 70's change up with some fade.