By Matthew Lee

In the second DIII semi-final game in Creston, Orrville (16-9) was trying to avenge an early season loss to Creston Norwayne (17-6). The weather was much warmer Monday afternoon than it was back in early April when Norwayne was able to top Orrville 3-2.

Like the first game of the day, this was a pitcher’s duel as well.

Orrville’s junior Trevor Kerr locked horns with Norwaye’s senior Cory Brumfield with both pitchers going the distance on the mound.

In the top of the 1^st inning, Norwayne senior, Maxwell hit the first pitch of the game into left field for a base hit. He then stole 2^nd and moved to 3^rd on a passed ball. Kerr was able to leave Maxwell stranded at 3^rd as he struck out Smith, got Brumfield to ground out to 3^rd, and then struck Zimmerly for the third out.

Orrville had their chances in the bottom of the inning.

Senior Alex Samson (Owens CC recruit) led off with a rope just out of the reach of Smith at shortstop. Sophomore Stewart Schley promptly singled to center putting runners at 1^st and 2^nd. Brumfield was able to strike out the next batter, senior AJ Perez (Owens CC recruit) for the first out of the inning. Kerr then lined a shot to left center that seemed to be into the gap. Junior Jeff Menk came out of nowhere to make a diving catch near the warning track. Samson thought the ball was down and already had rounded third when Menk caught the ball, flipped to the centerfielder who fired to 2^nd base to double off Samson and end the inning.

The game stayed 0-0 until the bottom of the 4^th inning.

Orrville’s Schley led off with a walk. Perez then hit a shot that Brumfield was able to glove; he spun to throw to 2^nd base and threw the ball into center field. He proceeded to get Kerr to pop up but then proceeded to walk junior Kyle Johnston to load the bases with one out. Sophomore JT Perez singled to center to make it a 1-0 game. Sophomore Kyle Ritchie laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to score Perez and make the game 2-0.

That was all Kerr needed as he did not allow a hit after that first inning single to Maxwell. Kerr fanned seven while walking two in route to his complete game 2-0 victory. Kerr touched 82 on the radar but was consistently around 80 mph. He blended his off-speed pitches very nicely as he was able to control all his pitches. Brumfield also pitched a great game allowing the four hits, while striking out two and walking two. The bottom of the 4^th inning was his only bad inning.

Orrville advances to tomorrow’s district championship game against Massillon Tuslaw who advanced by beating Chippewa 3-0. The game will be tomorrow at Norwayne High School. First pitch will be at 4:30.