Sparked by Baker, Canton CC reigns

The Crusaders won their first state championship, 8-0, over Hamilton Badin.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBUS — Taylore Baker tossed a three-hitter and chipped in offensively with a homer and two RBIs to help Canton Central Catholic to an 8-0 victory over Hamilton Badin in the Division III baseball state championship game Saturday at Cooper Stadium.

Baker led off the second with a homer for all the runs he would need.

The 15th-ranked Crusaders (30-4), who captured their first state title after losing in the finals in 1997 and 2003, came back with five more runs in the third on a two-run single by Rob Hoagland and run-scoring hits by Mike Roman, Rudy Donatelli and Baker.

Eric Gerbus had two of the Rams’ hits.

Walsh Jesuit 6, Canal Winchester 0

Left-hander David Starn struck out nine and pitched a complete game shutout for Walsh Jesuit in the Div. II championship game.

The win gave third-ranked Walsh Jesuit (28-3) its fourth state championship in the last 10 years.

Joe Pawlowski walked with one out in the first, went to second on a wild pitch and then scored on Ross Brunello’s double to give the Warriors their first run — the only one they would need.

Brunello later scored on Ryan Berry’s single, and Walsh Jesuit added two more runs in the second and a run each in the fifth and sixth innings.

Tyler Steube singled twice for Canal Winchester (22-13).

Lakewood St. Edward 6, Cle. St. Ignatius 2

Alex Lavisky broke open a close game with a two-run single in the seventh inning for Lakewood St. Edward in the Div. I championship game.

The Eagles led 3-2 heading into the final inning. After Mike Fox led off with a double, Nick Embrogno reached on an fielder’s choice on a sacrifice bunt. Embrogno then stole second base, with Lavisky singling to left to push the lead to 5-2. His pinch-runner later came around to score on a wild pitch.