The Waterford baseball team pulled off a stunning upset in the Division IV sectional final against second-seeded Whiteoak. The game went to extra innings, with the Wildcats scoring two runs in the 10th inning to secure the victory. Pitcher Zavier Heiss came in during the ninth inning and pitched a scoreless 10th inning to earn the win for Waterford.
The team’s starter, Colten Jones, had a strong performance, pitching eight innings and allowing just one run on four hits with four walks and six strikeouts. He also contributed offensively with a double and a run-batted-in. Other notable performances came from Cole Hansell, who doubled and drove in a run, and leadoff man Hayden Jones, who went 3 for 5 with a run scored. Braun Doak and Cole Sparling-Ponchak also had hits, while Wade Brooker scored a run for the Wildcats.
On the Whiteoak side, pitcher Kaden Moone-Stone pitched all 10 innings, allowing 10 hits, three runs (two earned), one walk, and recording 11 strikeouts in the loss. Jacen Applegate had a double and drove in Whiteoak’s only run, but the team struggled defensively with four errors.
Waterford will now face 10th-seeded South Webster in the district semifinals on Saturday at Paints Stadium in Chillicothe. The winner of that game will advance to the district championship game on Monday against either Reedsville Eastern or Trimble.
