BUTLER â Host Eastside spotted Westview a 2-0 lead after a half-inning, but bounced back with two in its half of the first on the way to a 13-4 win Friday in Northeast Corner Conference tournament action.
The Blazers (11-4) will face Fremont at 11 a.m. today in the championship game at Fremont. The Eagles defeated Prairie Heights 18-7 in five innings in the other semi-final game.
Hayden Gardner and Wade Miller each homered and drove in three runs apiece for Eastside. Jack Buchanan added a two-run double for the hosts.
Westview struck first when Ben Byrkett reached on an error and Braden Kauffman was hit by a pitch.
Hereâs a look at the area baseball teams. Hamilton will not field a team this season.
Central Noble
Coach: Tyler Graybeal
The Central Noble baseball program is growing. There are 32 players in the program this year, which allowed them to put together a C team.
On the varsity, Dylan Eggl, Will Hoover, Jackson Hoover, Cade Weber and Noah Christopher are all returning with varsity experience.
The newcomers are Tyler Shisler, Jaxon Copas, Justin Krider, Aidan Dreibelbis, Caleb Weaver, Aidan Harman, Nick Godsey, Chase Spencer and Sawyer Yoder.
The strength of the Cougars will be their depth. With more players in the program, they will be able to utilize a lot of different athletes.
The junior Railroader struck out 16 Warrior hitters in a 9-3 win.
âHe was just humming out there,â Garrett head coach Jason Richards said. âI feel like this field works to his favor. He really liked the mound when he got out there. For a 6-4 kid, itâs kind of what you want to see.â
â(Kelham) did a nice job throwing fastballs, but I donât think he was overpowering our guys. He shouldnât be overpowering our guys,â Westview coach Jason Rahn said. âSixteen strikeouts in 21 outs, youâre not going to win a baseball game. Thatâs just uncalled for.â