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Saturday, May 23, 2009
Fairmont strolls into Division I regional with 1-0 win over Elder for District title
END-OF-GAME CONTROVERSY
DOESN’T STOP FAIRMONT FROM
CELEBRATING DISTRICT TITLE
Alex Marcano drew a full-count, bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning as Kettering Fairmont stunned Cincinnati Elder, 1-0, for a Division I District baseball championship at Princeton Middle School on Saturday afternoon, May 23.
“It was just like you drew it up when you were five years old playing Wiffleball in the backyard,” Fairmont coach Kent Drake said.
The victory wasn’t without controversy, however.
According to Drake, Marcano had difficulty reaching first base after the walk because he was mobbed by celebrating teammates. An Elder player tagged Marcano, and the umpire made an “out” call.
“Thirty-five minutes later, after the umpires and tournament officials huddled, Alex was ruled safe,” Drake said. “Then we celebrated again.”
Left-handed pitcher Alex Lilley picked up the victory, firing a two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts.
The Firebirds will face Lakota West in a regional semifinal on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the University of Cincinnati.
Brendon Cunningham, who scored the winning run, led off the seventh inning with a single and took second on a groundout.
David Steele drew an intentional walk, setting up a force at any base. Don Ross III went down on strikes for the second out.
Chris Donese walked to load the bases, then Marcano provided the dramatics with a full-count, two-out, bases-loaded walk.
“It’s a great feeling,” Drake said. “We’re really excited to be going to Regionals. Like I’ve said all along, we’re not just going to be happy to be there. We want to get to State.”
Fairmont is the only Dayton-area team alive in D-I.
Lakota West hammered Northmont, 8-0, and Cincinnati Moeller routed Vandalia-Butler, 10-0, in six innings in a pair of other District finals.
Beating Elder represents a huge step forward for the Firebirds program. Elder has won more state baseball championships (12) than any school in Ohio.
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