Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — They won’t be very good. They lost too much talent. Who do they have left?
Those are some of the things Washington’s baseball program heard after last season’s run to a Division II state semifinal.
All of those question marks led many to believe that the Blue Lions weren’t even going to make it out of district tournament action.
Yet, here they are again.
More so, they’re district champions for a third straight year after a three-run sixth inning led them to a 3-1 victory over Jackson on Wednesday at Ohio University.
CREDIT: Seth Fain/SOSA
“It’s hard to put all the emotions and feelings into words, but I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” Washington coach Brian Yeazel said. “There were times it got rough this season and the guys struggled. But they stayed with it through the adversity and started playing their best baseball at the right time. These guys are so coachable and winning three straight districts for these seniors is special.”
After riding Will Miller’s left arm to a win over Fairfield Union, the Blue Lions turned to Evan Lynch’s right wing against the Ironmen.
And much like he has all season long, the senior hurler delivered in the big moments.
Despite giving up an early run, he dialed right back in and saved his best game for the biggest stage, tossing six innings for the win while striking out six batters.
“Inside my hat, I have written, ‘May God be my strength,’ and my faith is a big priority that keeps me level headed,” Lynch said. “My fastball and slider were working, so I stuck with it the whole way. My catcher [Gavin Coffman] was making great calls and really worked behind the plate as well.”
However, it was Jackson that struck the scoreboard board first when Gaven Jones registered an RBI single in the first inning to put the Ironmen ahead 1-0.
That was Lynch’s lone mistake of the night. Meanwhile, Jones went to work on the mound and the two hurlers proceeded to battle.
From the second inning through the fifth inning, each pitcher allowed just one hit.
However, Washington’s fortune was about to drastically change in the sixth.
After a fielding error put a runner on base, Lynch stepped up and smoked an RBI triple to tie the game at 1-1.
Then, Miller followed with an RBI double before another fielding error that broke the defender’s glove allowed Miller to cross, making it a 3-1 game.
“That same type of situation happened to us when we played at Jackson, so we understood what was happening,” Washington’s Bryce Yeazel said. “Once one error happens, we try to make it snowball and continue piling on. All we needed was that one opening and Evan delivered a huge hit.”
Jackson had a chance to tie the game with two runners on and no outs in the seventh. But two fielder’s choices, followed by a pop out, sealed the Ironmen’ fate and sent the Blue Lions back into the Sweet 16.
Following Lynch’s final tallies, Miller finished 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
For Jackson, Jones took the loss in a complete game effort while striking out eight batters. He also went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Washington advances to a Division II regional semifinal at 2 p.m., Friday back at Ohio University against Waverly, who defeated Miami Trace to move on.
“We’re just having fun. Being a No. 9 seed, no one really expects us to do much, so there’s no pressure,” Lynch said. “We’ll continue to work hard, play the right way and do what we do.”
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