New Lex's historic season comes to an end with extra-inning loss

ATHENS — New Lexington fought through early jitters on Tuesday.

The second-seeded Panthers trailed 2-0 through three innings before tying it at 2 in the fifth.

However, New Lex failed to score the go-ahead run, and seventh seed Waverly pulled out a 3-2 eight-inning win in a Division II district semifinal at Ohio University's Bob Wren Stadium.

"We were a little jittery and missed a few plays early. Our guys were frustrated," New Lex coach Dan Morgan said. "Isaac (McGill) gave us a chance on the mound, and our guys battled back. We struggled to get hits with runners in scoring position late in the season, and that bit us again."

More: Big hits were rare for Sheridan baseball as its district title drought reached 35 years.

Tigers jump on Panthers early

Waverly struck first with a two-out rally in the top of the first, as Jase Hurd hit a single, stole second and came home on Hunter Hauck's double to left field.

New Lex tried to answer in the bottom of the second. Mason Pyle and McGill drew back-to-back walks, but a flyout, Pyle caught stealing third and a strikeout ended the inning.

Waverly then took advantage of a New Lex miscue in the third. Creed Smith was hit by a pitch to start frame, and two batters later, Hurd's high flyball to left fell between two outfielders for a double, putting runners at second and third. Hauck then followed with a RBI groundout for a 2-0 lead.

McGill then went on a stretch of retiring 15 of 16 Tigers into the eighth, giving New Lex a chance to respond.

The Panthers did in the fifth. Lane Baker reached on an error to start the inning, and with two outs, Bentley Hanson and Garrett Blosser followed with back-to-back RBI doubles to tie it at 2.

New Lex had an opportunity to go in front in the sixth when McGill hammered a triple to center field with two outs. However, Smith ran down a Baker fly ball in the gap in right field to end the threat.

Both teams went in order in the seventh before Waverly took advantage of McGill's location in the eighth. LT Jordan and Hurd drew walks, and Jordan moved to third on a passed ball. Hauck's hard-hit ground ball went off the glove of New Lex second baseman Drew Barnette, allowing Jordan to score the game-winning run.

Quinton Hurd closed out the win with a 1-2-3 eighth, while Hauck allowed five hits, fanned four and walked two in seven innings for the victory.

McGill notched six strikeouts and gave up three hits and three walks in 7 1/3 innings in taking the loss, while Blosser induced a double play in the eighth to keep it a one-run game.

Waverly coach Jeff Noble praised both starting pitchers, as each team had few scoring opportunities.

"(McGill) seemed to get stronger as the game went on. We put a few balls in play that fell in and helped us," Noble said. "(Hunter) gives us 110%, and the guys rally around him. I was going to take him out a couple of times, but his teammates said he's got this coach. He came through for us.

"This was a great game between two really good teams with great arms," he added. "We're fortunate to win and come back for the district title game."

Standard set for New Lex

It was a disappointing end for the Panthers, who finished 19-5 with a Muskingum Valley League Small School Division and sectional titles.

Morgan praised his squad, especially his eight seniors. Four of them, McGill, Blosser, Pyle and Jerek Braglin, were three-year starters, while Baker, Barnette, Jonathan Dold and Tyler Bray rounded out that group.

Hanson finished with two hits and McGill, Blosser and Clay Miller had a hit apiece for New Lex.

"When I took over five years ago, I wanted to build a good culture, a winning program and make sure our players left as great people," Morgan said. "There was a lot of love and trust with this group. They put New Lex back on the map. I feel awful the way it ended, but this was a special group. They should be proud of their accomplishments."

bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: New Lex's historic season comes to an end with extra-inning loss