WARRIORS STUN REIGNING CHAMPS TO MOVE ON TO FINAL FOUR

By Matt Maher

CANTON, OHIO – The Warriors are soaring high after their huge 2-1 victory over Kenston to give them the district title and a shot at the state championship next week!

Kenston got out to an early 1-0 lead after the 1st inning thanks to a bases-loaded fielder’s choice from Wes Toth that scored Grant Beclay. Warriors starter, Antonthy Perry, got his team out of it with a 3-1 groundout the next batter. West Branch couldn’t get anything going through the first 3 innings and were sat down in order for their first time through the lineup by Bombers starter, Bridger Bischof. 

The Warriors and Bombers stayed even with each other and neither side could get much going against the other’s pitcher until the 4th inning where the Warriors found their first 3 hits back-to-back-to-back off of a double from Aaron Tucker and singles from Hunter Shields and Beau Alazaus. The Warriors silence came to an end when Anthony Perry grounded out but brought home the game tying run. The Bombers defense held strong after the run and their pitching got back on track until the bottom of the 7th.

Anthony Perry continued to stand strong and, even with runners on board, he and his defense took care of business and gave their offense the chance it needed in the 7th.West Branch had Pery to start and early into the at bat he was hit by a pitch. Thomas would fly out after Perry got aboard but then came Charlie Biskup who evoked enough fear into the Bombers defense that he was intentionally walked. Jaxon Robb was up and boy oh boy did he make Kenston pay for walking Biskup. With 2 runners aboard and only 1 away, Robb sent a long and high fly ball to deep left field, over the head of Dylan Knupp and into the grass allowing Perry to score from 2nd and send West Branch on a one-way trip to the Rubber City next week!

West Branch doesn’t seem to have the word “quit” in their vocabulary and with the way they played on Friday night, they certainly proved that to be true. West Branch will be the sole team representing YSN and the Mahoning Valley in the state tournament this year for baseball and we can’t wait to see how they do! Congratulations to the Kenston Bombers on a well played season and a good playoff run and GOOD LUCK to the West Branch Warriors as they seek out the coveted State Championship Title!