BELLVILLE, Ohio – Three was a big number in the seventh inning of a sectional tournament baseball game Saturday between Clear Fork and Galion.
The Colts (12-8) needed three more outs to secure the win and advance to take on top-seeded Ontario (19-4) on Thursday in the Division II sectional title game. Instead, the Tigers (9-14) roared back with three runs to earn a 5-4 win and a trip to OHS this week.
Galion’s win avenged a regular-season loss to Clear Fork last week.
“We did as we were coached and that’s important: take your pitches, swing at strikes,” said Galion Coach Phil Jackson. “And the defense started to come around after some of the errors and that’s huge. But our seniors stepped up, and it hasn’t been the case all year and it was good. Bryce Lybarger came in and shut them down at the end, pitched a gem. Our sophomore Kuns who we started, that’s his third varsity start and the way he handled that pressure is amazing.”
“We got beat by a better team today,” veteran Clear Fork Coach Rusty Staab said. “We were the better team last week … they were the better team today.”
That’s a good team (the Colts) and they just beat us 6-1 but one of the reasons I chose them in tournament is that we seem to play a team better the second time. I don’t know what it is but it’s like we get beat by a team and then we get mad and then play the way we’re supposed to play; and against Rusty’s team, they beat us 6-1 last Saturday, and we didn’t play very well. And even though this wasn’t our best game, we found a way to win.”
Clear Fork had senior Lee Snyder on the mound and the Colts were confident entering the seventh inning with a 4-2 lead.
“I think we had this confidence that ‘We got a couple runs. Lee’s on the mound.’ And Lee got flustered by the ump’s strike zone. Our senior captain completely got taken out of the game by the ump’s strike zone. Right or wrong, you don’t let that bother you,” Staab said.
Galion’s Garrett Kuns led off the seventh with a single to centerfield. He was replaced in favor of pinch runner Brevin Owens.
A walk to Matt Hardy signaled the end of Snyder’s day on the mound. Lane Belcher came on in relief and gave up a base hit to Bruce Lybarger that loaded the bases with no outs. Belcher then walked Jermaine Burket which allowed Owens to score, cutting the Colts lead to 4-3.
Nick Schoonyan was then called upon to replace Belcher on the mound for Clear Fork. He induced a ground ball from Josh Eckert, but the Colts were unable to turn the 6-4-3 double play. Hardy scored the tying run and Lyberger advanced to third.
Chad Karnes then stepped in and drove a single to right field that plated Lybarger with what proved to be the winning run.
Staab said he told his Colts they couldn’t make mistakes and beat a team like Galion.
“We had an opportunity to be up more than 4-1, but we didn’t [capitalize]. You’ve got to tip your hat to Galion today,” he said.
Of his team, Jackson said, “I’m very proud of them. It’s very emotional when we’ve had the season we’ve had and the guys step up at the right time. That’s big.”
