By Dylan Hefflinger

COLUMBUS- The defending state champ Columbus St. Francis DeSales has a chance to defend its Division II championship from last season after shutting out Mentor Lake Catholic 3-0. The game lasted just an hour and nine minutes

 

Ohio Northern recruit Nick Eltzoth held the Cougars to just three hits and no walks, while striking out five. Eltzoth was extremely efficient throwing just 79 pitches, with 62 of those being strikes. The win moved Eltzroth to 5-1 on the season. Eltzoth's fastball was in the 82-85 mph range.

 

DeSales got its runs in the 2^nd and 4^th. In the 2^nd with one out Eltzoth reached on a walk followed by an error on the Cougars shortstop. Senior Dominic Delmonte drove in two with a single to put the Stallions up 2-0.

 

Lake Erie recruit Zack DeCamp started the 4^th off with a lead-off triple, scoring on a sac fly by senior Derek Traini to extend the Stallions advantage to 3-0.

 

Indiana University of PA recruit Joey Samuele fell to 9-3 on the season after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out five. Mentor Lake Catholic fell to 19-11 on the season.

 

No. 5 DeSales (25-6) moves on to face No. 6 Wapakoneta (25-5) in the Division II championship at 10 a.m. on Saturday.