By Dylan Hefflinger

 

COLUMBUS- Pitching was the name of the game in the Division III state semifinal match-up between No. 3 Wheelersburg and No. 21 Fredericktown.

 

Three runs in the 4^th inning were all the Pirates (29-2) needed. A two-out error by the Freddies put Ben Arnold on first. A walk to Alex Shears put runners on first and second. Garrett Carmichael hit a looping line drive towards center that the talented center fielder Matt Smith. Smith didn't read the ball well off the bat and took a couple steps back before racing in, the ball fell scoring Arnold to put the Pirates up 1-0. Catcher Dylan Miller followed with a single to right scoring Shears. Another single to right by starting pitcher Derek Moore plated Carmichael to put the Pirates up 3-0.

 

Three runs were all the right-handed starter Wheelersburg needed. Moore threw a gem in shutting out a talented Freddies lineup. The senior allowed just four hits and one walk, while striking out 11. Moore threw 93 pitches on the night, 64 for strikes. Moore's fastball was consistently in the 83-85 mph range. Moore is 13-0 on the season with a 0.37 ERA, with 100 ks in 80 innings of work.

 

The Freddies best chance came in the 6^th when Austin Hathaway lined a one-out single, followed by a bunt single by Mitch Sellers. A double steal attempt led to Hathaway being thrown out at third. A ground out ended the Freddies threat.

 

Nash Cunningham threw a complete game for the Freddies, allowing three runs, none earned. The righty allowed just two walks, while striking out seven. Cunningham's fastball was in the low 80s.

 

Fredericktown bows out of the tournament with a 23-5 record.

 

Wheelersburg moves to 29-2 on the season, advancing to the state championship to face No. 18 Lima Central Catholic, who defeated No. 2 Grand Valley 2-0.