ATHENS — Zach Bell took one for the team Tuesday afternoon to wrap up the game as the Circleville outfielder was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run, making the score 13-3, putting the mercy rule into effect and advancing the Tigers past Athens High School.
The third-seeded Tigers will return to Ohio University tonight at 6 p.m. to take on No. 1 Jackson with a Southeast District Division III title on the line.
Circleville was holding a 6-3 lead to begin the bottom of the fifth inning.
A popup in foul territory started the inning with an out, but then Hunter Phalin reached on an error and Bell, Kiser Cassidy and Glavine Bigam drew consecutive walks. Bigam’s walk scored Phalin. Trent Smith followed with a single to center that scored Bell and Cassidy to make the score 9-3.
Austin Gray walked to reload the bases.
After a pitching change, a wild pitch allowed Bigam to score, and the other runners advanced a base. David Northam singled to right, allowing Smith to score for an 11-3 Circleville lead.
Drew Thornsley was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Chase Foster was hit by a pitch to score Gray. A strikeout on a 3-2 pitch gave the Tigers their second out before Bell came to the plate and was hit to score Northam and end the game.
Circleville took a 4-1 lead in the third on a two-run double from Northam and two-run single from Phalin.
Back-to-back RBI singles from Smith and Gray pushed Circleville’s lead to 6-2 after four innings.
Smith went the distance on the mound for CHS. He struck out six, did not allow a walk, gave up five hits and three earned runs.