ATHENS — Circleville scored twice in the sixth and seventh innings to upset top-seeded Jackson 5-2 and claim a Southeast District Division III championship Wednesday.
Circleville had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when David Northam singled in Glavine Bigam.
Jackson did its damage in the bottom of the third as the Ironmen opened the inning with a double and moved the runner over with a sacrifice bunt. A groundout allowed the run to score. Back-to-back doubles then gave Jackson a 2-1 lead.
After that, Circleville’s Chase Foster settled down and faced only one batter over the minimum through the next three innings.
Circleville got the lead back in the top of the sixth after Trent Smith led off with a double. After a flyball out, the Tigers had four consecutive singles. Hits by Drew Thornsley and Hunter Phalin drove in runs to put CHS up 3-2.
Bigam opened the sixth with a triple to right field. Austin Gray had a one-out triple to center, scoring Bigam.
After the second out, Thornsley singled to bring in Gray for another run.
Foster went 6.2 innings, striking out six, walking two, allowing three hits and two earned runs.
Bigam came on to get the final out with a fielder’s choice.
Thornsley led CHS with three hits and two RBI. Northam and Phalin each had two hits and an RBI.
The Tigers (21-6) advance to a regional semifinal next Thursday at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe against the Miami Trace/Dover winner. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.