Waterford upsets Whiteoak for sectional title

The Waterford baseball team celebrates after upsetting second-seeded Whiteoak in a Division IV sectional final Wednesday.
(Courtesy photo)

MOWRYSTOWN — Waterford pulled off a sectional final stunner Wednesday evening, taking down second-seeded Whiteoak to advance to the district semifinals.

Waterford took the hosts to extras before plating a pair of runs in the 10th. Zavier Heiss, who entered the game in the ninth, pitched a scoreless 10th to lock down the victory. Heiss relieved starter Colten Jones, who pitched eight strong innings and allowed one run on four hits with four walks and six strikeouts.

In addition to earning the pitching victory, Heiss also contributed a double and a run-batted-in for Waterford. Cole Hansell also doubled and drove in a run while leadoff man Hayden Jones went 3 for 5 with a run scored. Braun Doak singled twice, Cole Sparling-Ponchak singled and scored a run and Wade Brooker crossed the plate once for the Wildcats.

Kaden Moone-Stone pitched all 10 innings for Whiteoak, allowing 10 hits, three runs, two earned runs, one walk and 11 punchouts in the loss. Jacen Applegate doubled and drove in Whiteoak’s only run. The hosts committed four errors.

Waterford now will take on 10th-seeded South Webster at 10 a.m. Saturday at Paints Stadium in Chillicothe, with the winner moving on to Monday’s district championship game against either Reedsville Eastern or Trimble.