By Matt Wallisa

After a two-hour trip down Interstate 71, Gahanna Lincoln found itself facing two opponents: Lakota West and Mother Nature.

Weather delays and less than ideal field conditions could not stop a matchup between two of the top 50 teams in the state.  

The pitching matchup featured Gahanna senior right-handed pitcher Frank White and Lakota West senior right-handed pitcher David Schaefer (Bellarmine recruit). 

Despite the two-plus hour car ride, Gahanna came out swinging in the top of the first.   

The game started with junior Trent Champlin drawing a walk. After another batter reached base and a fielder's choice, Gahanna found itself with runners on second and third with one out.  Junior Peyton Ross, one of the top 2013 power hitters in Central Ohio, followed with a double that scored both runners and pushed the Lions ahead 2-0.

In the third inning, Gahanna stretched their lead to 3-0 after a costly error from Lakota West allowed another run to score.  

Finally, in the bottom of the 5th, the Firebirds were able to muster up some offense.

The inning started with an error that allowed the first runner to reach base. Following the Lions' miscue, the Lakota West offense loaded the bases with a base hit and a hit by pitch. Freshman stand out DJ Allinger grounded into a fielders choice, which brought home a run and tightened the score at 3-1. 

Lakota West threatened against in the bottom of the 6th. Despite loading the bases without any outs, the Firebirds only managed to score one run due to a bases loaded walk to sophomore Blaine Griffiths.

With the game tightened up at 3-2, Gahanna turned to senior right-handed pitcher Chris Secore to secure the win. 

After registering the first out of the inning, Secore gave up a base hit to senior Zak Farmer (Walsh recruit). With the tying run on base, Secore recorded two more outs and registered a save as the Lions took the first game of a double header against the Firebirds.

Gahanna's Frank White recorded the win. He managed to keep the Lakota West hitters off balance with a steady diet of off-speed pitches. He used a 59 mph curveball that resulted in several ground ball put-outs. His fastball sat at 74 mph.

Lakota's David Schaefer took the loss. His fastball was clocked at a consistent 82 mph. He also displayed a 66 mph curveball and a 62 mph changeup. 

In the second game of the double header, Gahanna beat Lakota West 3-1.