By Chase Bryson
SW Ohio Regional Scout 

CINCINNATI - In front of a packed house at the brand new Panther Athletic Complex, No. 18 Cincinnati Elder hosted No. 2 Archbishop Moeller in a highly anticipated conference rival match up. Previously this week, Moeller was able to top the Panthers, however, today Elder turned the tables and were victorious on their home turf with a final score of 5-4. 

From the very beginning, it was obvious this match up would come down to the wire.

In the top of the first,the Crusaders struck first with back-to-back doubles from Josh Hollander and Zach Logue, making it a 1-0 Moeller lead. After the starting Elder pitcher, Austin Koch, gave up a walk to the four hitter, Moeller looked on the brink of breaking this game open. However, thanks to a strong throw down to third from catcher Sam Hauer (pictured right), the top of the inning was over as Zach Logue was caught stealing. 

In the bottom of the second, Elder was able to tie up the game, 1-1, but only due to an unusual pair of errors from Moeller shortstop Riley Mahan. At the top of third inning, things began to unravel for the Panthers pitcher and surrounding defense. With a pair of wild pitches, coupled with a walk and a error at third base, Moeller gained 3-1 advantage going into the bottom of the inning.

Elder gained back the deficit quickly in the bottom of the third, started by a lead off pair of singles from Shane Smith and Kyle Orloff. Once the bases were loaded with a walk from Moeller pitcher, Gus Ragland, the Panthers offense were able to strike at the right moment with a sac fly from Louis Faillace and RBI single from Zach Vorherr, which tied the game at 3-3.  

Joey Ludwig lead off the fourth for the Crusaders with a sharply hit single and stolen base. After a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch, Ludwig was able to move to third base. Bailey Montoya then laced a single which scored Ludwig, advancing the lead for Moeller 4-3. In the bottom of the fourth, lead off hitter Johnny Lammers started the inning with a walk, and eventually scored off of a RBI double from Brian Guck to tie the game. Guck then scored shortly thereafter on another RBI double, this time from Elder junior, Sam Hauer, giving the Panthers a 5-4 lead and what would in the end, be the winning run.

With this loss, Moeller falls to 11-2 overall on the season, and 3-2 in the conference. Moeller's next match up is against Ryle, on Thursday April 24th at Florence Freedom Field and then return back to conference play on Monday April 28th at home against St. Xavier. 

The Elder Panthers improve to 7-4 overall, and take the lead in the GCL conference with a 3-1 record. Elder will be home again at the Panther Athletic Complex on Monday 28th with a match up against LaSalle.  

To view scouting notes from this game, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog is updated throughout the week.