Circleville grabbed an early lead and didn’t look back on Friday in a 7-2 non-league win over visiting Westfall. The game was shortened to five innings due to inclement weather.
Scott Moats opened a four-run first by reaching on a bunt single and Tate DeBord joined him on the base pads after a one out walk.
Nolan West followed with a double to center that brought in Moats.
Logan Smith put the Tigers ahead 2-0 on a sacrifice fly to center that allowed DeBord to dent the plate.
Back-to-back singles to left off the bats of Trent Smith and JD Reuter brought around West and Trent Smith.
Circleville went ahead 5-0 in the second when Austin Gray worked a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
Westfall tried to battle back with a two-run fourth.
Cade Hall opened the inning with a double to left, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error.
Brandon Bingham reached on an infield single and was eventually forced in after walks to Mason Wright, Noah Stonerock and Clay Ellis.
The Tigers reclaimed one of those runs in their half of the fourth when Logan Smith lined a double to right with two outs and scored when Trent Smith lined an RBI single to left.
West doubled twice as part of a 2-for-3 evening with an RBI and run scored and Trent Smith turned in a perfect 2-for-2 ledger with a run scored and two RBI.
Brenden Tuttle and Bingham each singled twice for the Mustangs.
Logan Smith allowed four hits and two earned rubs in three and one-third innings to claim the win. He walked a batter and struck out two.
The Tigers (16-11) host Athens on Monday to open tournament play and the Mustangs (10-12) make the lengthy trip to South Point on Thursday to begin their postseason path.
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