FLASHES PUSH THEIR WAY TO DISTRICTS

CHAMPION, OH – Slippery when wet! The Champion Golden Flashes beat the Berkshire Badgers 5-1 in Wednesday nights contest which included a steady stream if water all evening.

Champion got it going early after filling the bases, they were able to plate two runs and take a 2-0 lead in the first.

Berkshire was able to get one back on the third inning.

The Badgers filled up the bases and had their run scored after the Champion pitcher walked a batter with the bases loaded. They were unable to add to the score past that run so it went to 2-1 in favor of the home squad.

There was no scoring in the third or fourth innings but the rain did prove to be a challenge for the young pitchers for both teams. No pitcher who went to the mound was ever able to get a good grip on the ball and this ended up playing a role in the fifth inning.

Berkshire allows the lead off runner to get aboard to start the bottom half of the fifth. The following batter comes up and hits a double to score in the lead off man and give Champion a 3-1 lead.

With runners at second and third the Berkshire pitcher, Max Janssen, will lose his grip on the ball for a wild pitch that would allow the runner on third to score and make the lead 4-1.

With one away Champion hits a sac-fly to left field to allow the runner at third to score and round off scoring for the inning.

After facing the adversity of the rain and a rowdy Berkshire dugout, Champion was able to come away with the win with a final score of 5-1. Winning Pitcher was Hunter Haines and the losing pitcher was Max Janssen.

Champion advances to the district semifinals where they’ll meet South Range on Monday in Niles. First pitch from Waddell Park is 5:00.

*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Maher.