Spartans edge Tigers in extra innings

Fairborn — A wet baseball might have made the difference between Waynesville and West Liberty Salem on Wednesday. The Spartans and Tigers battled for nine innings in a Division III District semi-final game before Waynesville walked off with a 3-2 win.

The two teams were locked in a pitchers duel for most of the game as West Liberty senior Thomas Allen and Waynesville junior Brady Stone were both keeping runners off the bases.

A steady rain started falling in the fourth inning and it was still coming down when Spartans designated hitter Lane Johnson singled to center field with two on and one out in bottom of the ninth. The Tigers tried to get the lead runner at third but the throw was off target and bounced in to the WLS dugout. Alex Hurley trotted home with the game winning run.

The win sends the Spartans to a District final for the second year in a row. Waynesville lost in a Division II regional semi-final a year ago and lost nine seniors from that team.

Waynesville will be back in Fairborn against Madiera Friday night at 5pm.

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