LIONS ROAR ON TO DISTRICTS

MCDONALD, OH – For the second year in a row, the Heartland Christian Lions edged the McDonald Blue Devils in a Division 4 Sectional Final. They used a three-run fourth inning to hold off the Blue Devils 4-2 on the road.

It was a defensive slugfest throughout the first half as both defenses were tight and the game was scoreless after three innings. In the top of the fourth, however, Heartland Christian’s Drew Walker opened up the scoring with an RBI single as the Lions took a 1-0 lead. Two more runners then scored off of another base hit, this time by Brett Walker, to make it a 3-0 ball game.

In the top of the fifth inning, an extra run was added off of another RBI single as Jake Walker hustled to first base and was just barely called safe. McDonald did their best to go on a rally as runs were cashed in in the fifth and sixth respectively to bring it to 4-2. Heartland, however, thanks to the excellent pitching and strikeouts of their senior Nate Garzanich and freshman reliever Seth Walker, was able to hold it off as the #8 seed Lions pulled off the upset over the #2 seed Blue Devils.

The Lions improve to 11-9 with the victory. They will win Sectionals for the second year in a row as they will take on Lake Center Christian in a district semifinal on Tuesday. That game is slated for an 5:00 P.M. tip down at Cene Park.

McDonald ends their tournament run at 16-6 with the loss. The Blue Devils will lose to Heartland Christian in the Sectional Final for the second year in a row as coach Andy Timko and crew look to use this defeat as motivation for next season.

YSN’s Noah Ricks got a chance to talk to winning coach Mark Franken following tonight’s victory. You can watch the full interview below.

 

*Contributed By YSN’s Noah Ricks