The Waterford baseball team celebrated Wednesday after defeating second-seeded White Oak in the Division IV sectional final. (Photo provided)
MORRISTOWN — Waterford earned an impressive win in the sectional final Wednesday night, defeating second-seeded White Oak and advancing to the regional semifinals.
Waterford led the hosts to extras before scoring twice in the 10th inning. Xavier Heiss, who started the game from the 9th inning, pitched the 10th inning without giving up a run, clinching the victory. Coach Heiss relieved starting pitcher Colten Jones and pitched well, pitching 8 innings, giving up 4 hits, 1 run, 4 walks and 6 strikeouts.
In addition to the pitching win, Heiss contributed to Waterford with a double and an RBI. Cole Hansell also had a double and an RBI, and leadoff man Hayden Jones went 3-for-5 with one RBI. For the Wildcats, Brown Doak singled twice, Cole Sperling-Ponchuk singled and scored one run, and Wade Brooker crossed the plate once.
For White Oak, Caden Moonstone pitched all 10 innings, allowing 10 hits, three runs, two earned runs, one walk, and 11 punchouts in the loss. Jacen Applegate hit a double, White Oak's only RBI. The host made 4 errors.
Waterford will play No. 10 seed South Webster at 10 a.m. Saturday at Paints Stadium in Chillicothe, with the winner advancing to Monday's district championship game against Reidsville Eastern or Trimble.
