TIFFIN — Cole Eichorn would have pitched for as long as it took if it meant playing with his classmates a little longer.

Lexington’s senior right-hander delivered a heroic effort in Thursday’s Division III district final at Tiffin University’s Heminger Field. But it wasn’t enough in a 5-4 nine-inning loss to Sylvania Southview.

The Ohio Wesleyan-bound Eichorn worked eight innings and threw 124 pitches, one from the maximum allowed by Ohio High School Athletic Association rules. He gave up six hits and struck out 11.

“These are all my guys,” Eichorn said after collecting the district runner-up trophy. “I remember starting out in 9U with them. It brings back all those memories.

“But it’s like the coaches said. Just because high school baseball is over doesn’t mean our friendship is over.”

Not Without A Fight

Southview got to Eichorn for a run in the second and another in the fourth before scoring twice in the home half of the sixth. The Cougars took a 4-0 lead to the seventh, but the Minutemen (19-10) refused to go quietly.

Markale Martin started Lex’s jaw-dropping rally with a single to center and moved to second on Cooper Clark’s single to right. Carson Fisher followed with a walk on a full count to load the bases.

Southview coach Tim McCarthy lifted starter Ben Kotnik in favor of Derek Delrue. Lex’s Brayden Vance lifted a sacrifice fly to center, plating Martin. 

No. 9 hitter Ben Young laced a run-scoring single to left and turned the order over to leadoff man Tyler Galownia. Galownia’s infield single drove in another run, making it 4-3. Jackson Eichorn followed with a sacrifice fly to center, tying the score at 4-4.

“We struggled for six innings to hit the ball,” first-year Lex coach J.R. Davis said. “(Kotnik) didn’t throw that many innings this year, but he came out and shoved it. For six innings he kept us off-balance.

“Our guys could have given up when it was 4-0, but they fought back and gave us a chance.”

Extra Innings

Both teams had chances in the eighth, but came away empty.

Lexington had runners at first and second with one out in the top of the frame, but Clark’s sharp ground ball was turned into an inning-ending double play.

Southview loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth, but Eichorn recorded back-to-back strikeouts to put out the fire.

“Both of us traded blows at the end,” Southview coach Tim McCarthy said. “We both left some guys on and found a way to wiggle out of trouble.”

Game Winner

Lex reliever Dane Powell got two quick outs to start the ninth before Southview put together the game-winning rally. 

Adam LaPla got things going with a single to center and moved to second when Kotnik was hit by a pitch. Clean-up hitter Lucas Girlie singled on the first pitch he saw, plating LaPla with the game-winner.

“We were fortunate enough for Lucas to get that hit there with two outs,” McCarthy said. “They were upset when they gave away a four-run lead, but they battled through and kept their composure.”

Leaders

Eichorn accounted for two of Lexington’s seven hits. Galownia, Martin, Clark, Yount and Caleb Murfield had the others.

Girlie and Will Colyer each had two hits for the Cougars.

Historic Season

Lexington played in a district championship game for the first time since 2017.

“One of our goals was to make the district championship,” Davis said. “I’m very proud of them.”