By Dylan Hefflinger

TIFFIN- The No. 6 ranked team in Division II Wapakoneta capitalized on Parma Padua Franciscan mistakes to cruise to a 7-1 victory in the Regional semis.

The Redskins started early as they scored two in the first inning on a couple of Bruins errors. Talented junior shortstop, Josh Apple (.376 BA), reached on an error by the Bruins' third basemen, who had a nightmare of a day. Star junior pitcher, Johnny Crawford, then blasted an opposite-field double to score Apple. After a walk to junior, Brandon Miller (.364 BA), and single by sophomore Chandler Kaeck (.442 BA) loaded the bases, Padua pitcher Jim Solano induced a pop out for the second out. But an error by third baseman Nick Hoy on a groundball by junior Marshall Gerlach allowed the second run to score.

The Redskins almost scored three more with the base loaded, but an outstanding diving catch by sophomore left fielder C.J. Youck put an end to the threat.

Already up 2-0, Wapak tallied two more in the second inning, once again capitalizing on Bruins' mistakes. Junior nine-hole hitter Dominque Campos (.463 BA) reached on an error at third to start off the frame, but was picked off on a ball in the dirt. Junior Alex Koch (.367 BA) reached on yet another error at third to put runners at first and second. A single from Apple put runners on the corners and Apple stole second base uncontested. Crawford was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Miller drove in two with a single to put the Redskins up 4-0.

Padua scored its lone run in the second inning as senior Tyler Weeks blasted a long drive to right-center for a one-out triple and scored on a sac fly by junior Scott Sechler to cut the lead to 4-1. That snapped a scoreless streak of 451/3 innings for Crawford.

The Wapak junior, whose ERA entering the game was 0.26, went the distance  allowing just the one run on six hits and one walk. The lefty struck out seven putting his season total to 78. Crawford's fastball was in the 83-86 mph range with the curve and change-up sitting between 72-74 mph.

Wapakoneta scored the final three runs of the game in the third. A hit-by-pitch started off the frame before eight-hole hitter junior Andrew Hines launched a two-run home run to left, his second home run of the season. A single by Campos, who later scored on another error by the Bruins, put the Redskins up 7-1.

Wapak returns to the Regional finals for the second time in three years and will face Western Buckeye League foe No. 1 ranked Defiance today at Heminger field in Tiffin at 5 p.m. Defiance edged Wapak 3-2 earlier this month.