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Waterford repeats as district champ, advances to Sweet 16

Waterford’s Noah Huffman (9) returns the ball as Eastern’s Nate Durst (7) approaches second base during a game-winning double play Wednesday. Waterford won, 9-3. Photo courtesy of Alex Hawley.

CHILLICOTHE — Waterford High had Eastern High’s number on the baseball diamond this spring.

The Wildcats topped the Eagles a third time, downing them 9-3 in an Ohio Division IV championship game at VA Memorial Stadium Wednesday night.

“We beat them before, but we knew we had to come out and play, because those were tough games,” said WHS senior catcher Isaac Huffman, who was 3-for-4 with three runs scored. “We knew we had to bring our ‘A’ game, and we played pretty good.”

With the victory, Waterford (23-6) repeated as district champs and will now advance to a Sweet 16 regional semifinal to play either South Webster or Notre Dame in Lancaster Thursday (May 25).”

Brian Bowen-coached Eastern exits with a 15-8 mark.

“Back to Lancaster,” said Waterford skipper Doug Huffman. “You know, this team is making a lot of history, and I don’t want them to get complacent. I want them to keep striving for more. We talk about state championships now. I think you have to have a starting point. We haven’t done it, but we talk about TVC, sectional, district, regional, and state. I mean, It’s one game at a time, and just try to achieve all your goals. To me, if you’re not playing for that, let’s hang our cleats up and go home.”

The Wildcats’ top of the batting order gave the Eagles fits. Leadoff man Isaac Huffman and Jordan Welch combined to stroke five hits and score five runs.

“Lately, we’ve been hitting the ball pretty good,” said Welch, who as the No. 2 batter was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored. “In our last game (vs. Whiteoak), we hit it good, and now it’s carried over — and hopefully it’ll keep on going.”

Righty Braden Bellville pitched a 7-inning complete game, and aided his cause with a two-run triple and two runs scored.

“I was just worried about throwing strikes,” said Bellville, who fanned six, walked one, and allowed just four hits. “They (Eastern) got their hits, but we won the game.”

WHS clean-up hitter Clay Hayes, Riley Burns, Bryce Hilverding, and Brock Hayes each drove in a run for the winners.

EHS right-hander Ethan Richmond threw six innings, and suffered the mound setback. John Little, Kaleb Hill, and Richmond each had an RBI for the Eagles.

After Bellville retired the Eastern side in order in the top of the first, Waterford went to work. Isaac Huffman got things going with a single and a steal of second. He then advanced to third on Welch’s infield hit, and scored on a Richmond wild pitch.

In the third, the Wildcats sent eight batters to the plate, and stretched their lead to 5-0. Leading off, Huffman singled to center and went to second on a Richmond balk. After Welch received a four-pitch walk, he and Huffman came around to score on Bellville’s triple to left.

Next up, Clay Hayes doubled to left to drive in Bellville, making it 4-0. Hayes then advanced to third on an Eagles error, and scored on younger brother Brock Hayes’ groundout.

“We got up 5-0,” Doug Huffman said. “So, we jumped on somebody.”

But after retiring the first nine Eagles he faced, Bellville struggled in the top of the fourth and gave up three runs.

“Then Eastern comes back to make it 5-3,” the Waterford boss said, “and guess what, we had to go out there and execute in the field to keep them off the board and we did.”

Austin Coleman got Eastern’s first hit, legging out an infield single to lead off the fourth frame. Little followed with an RBI double to left, and then scored himself on Hill’s triple down the right field line. Hill came in to score on Richmond’s groundout to short..

“I just needed to keep the ball down,” Bellville said. “I kind of got the ball up a little bit. But I settled down after that, and just threw strikes for my team.”

Bellville threw three more scoreless innings after the fourth inning, and gave up only one more hit.

“They got that swinging bunt (Coleman), and Braden just left some pitches over the plate,” Isaac Huffman said. “We got out of it, and he pitched pretty good there to finish off.”

Added Welch, “Braden pitched a heck of a game.”

Meanwhile, Waterford padded its lead with a four-run sixth inning to win going away. During the frame, Isaac Huffman scored on a passed ball, and Welch, Burns, and Hilverding each drove in a run.

“It’s fun to be a part of this team,” Welch said. “Baseball’s pretty fun with these guys.”

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