SpringfieldNewsSun.com

CENTERVILLE — With a runner on first, Zach Toerner went to the plate in the sixth inning thinking he would be bunting to move the runner into scoring position.

But pinch runner Tyler Doyle stole second, and then Toerner was given the hit-away sign and promptly deposited a 2-and-2 pitch into right field to score Doyle with the go-ahead run.

Toerner went to second on the throw home and would later score on an error to give Badin High School's baseball team a 4-2 win over Madison on Saturday, May 17, in a Division III sectional final at Centerville High School's Booster Field.

"It definitely felt great," Toerner said. "We knew we could come back. It just took us a little more time to get used to their pitcher."

The win was Badin's 16th in a row.

"He came through in the clutch, and that's what your No. 4 hitter is supposed to do," Badin coach Rick Kunkel said. "It was a tough game, and that's what you expect out of two good pitchers."

Madison ace Mike Roe suffered the loss, allowing all four runs and striking out six. Brett McKinney (11 strikeouts) was the winner in his second complete game this year.

"He's right up there with the best we've faced this year," Kunkel said about Roe.

Madison (17-8) drew first blood in the fourth inning when Steve Johnson walked with two outs and scored on Zach Hembree's first career home run.

Badin (22-6) came back to score two in the bottom of the fourth to tie it up. Nate Jackson opened the frame with a single, and Tony Cassano was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Toerner sacrificed the runners up a base, then both scored on a tying double by Eric Gerbus.

"It's very disappointing," Madison coach Bob Evick said of losing a game in which his team had the early lead. "We pitched well and played good defense, but they are a good team. They have a lot of banners over there, and we hung right with them. We played with a lot of heart, pride and character, and I'm very proud of our kids."

Badin was the victim of a controversial play that ended its rally in the fourth inning.

After two runs had scored to tie the game 2-2 and with Gerbus standing on second base, Garrett Seger launched a fly ball to left field that appeared to be caught, but actually popped out of the fielder's glove on a diving play. Gerbus, who told his coach he tagged up, took off for third. The field umpire ruled the batter was out on a catch, and then the left fielder threw to second to double off Gerbus for an inning-ending double play.

"I didn't think he caught the ball," Kunkel said. "I didn't think he had control. It doesn't mean anything now, but it could have.

"I think it fired us up a bit too," he continued. "We got more hungry after that and turned it into a positive for us."

Toerner and Scott Staarmann were both 2-for-2 for the Rams, who will play either Mariemont or Madeira at 3 p.m. Saturday in the district final at Centerville.

Madison's three hits were singles by Johnny Burley and Rusty Bernard, and the home run by Hembree.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852

or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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