By Matthew Lee

In DIII sectional play, No. 24 Fredericktown outlasts Johnstown 4-3 to advance to Olentangy High School next Tuesday as they create a rematch of last year’s district semifinals against Columbus Academy.

Johnstown got the scoring started against junior pitcher Nash Cunningham in the top of the third. Cunningham walked freshman Hollis to start the inning. After a fly to left, sophomore Cramer reached on an error at shortstop. A ground ball to second base moved the runners to second and third. Senior Cecil reached on an infield single to plate Hollis with the games first run.

Fredericktown wasted little time in the bottom of the third inning to get that run back.

Freshman Tyler Ruhl led off with a walk against Cecil. After a strike out, senior Mitch Sellars singled and junior Matt Smith walked to load the bases. Cunningham helped his own cause with a single to plate Ruhl and Sellars to make it 2-1. Junior Andrew Hulse then hit a sacrifice to left to plate Smith and put the Freddies up 3-1.

In the top of the fifth, Hollis lead off with a single. Bowling Green recruit Matt Smith laced a double to put the runners on second and third. Cramer grounded to second base to advance the runners and make it a 3-2 game in favor of Fredericktown. With Smith now at third base, senior Baughman hit a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 3-3.

The game was tied going into the bottom of the seventh when Fredericktown’s Smith led off with a double. Cunningham then lined a single to score Smith with the winning run for Fredericktown as they captured a 4-3 victory.

Both starters went the distance. Cunningham gave up three runs on six hits. He struck out six and walked three. Cecil got the loss giving up four runs on four hits. He struck out seven but, walked six.