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CARLISLE — A nine-inning, three-hour marathon that was suspended in a tie because of weather conditions Friday, May 9, was completed in about 12 minutes Monday.

Carlisle's 9-8 win in 10 innings over Monroe gave them the outright Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division championship, their first since 2001.

"It feels great," said senior Dylan Brandenburg, who scored the winning run for the Indians (21-5, 11-1 SWBL Buckeye).

"It's the greatest feeling ever. It's my senior year. The last chance to do it."

The Hornets (16-7, 9-3) opened Monday's contest when Tyler Haskin singled in the top of the 10th inning. He was sacrificed to second and then went to third on a ground out.

Christian McElroy walked to put two runners on with two outs, but Carlisle senior Joe Profitt, who earned the win, induced Tre Short to hit a slow grounder that ended the inning.

After singling to start Carlisle's half of the inning, Brandenburg found himself on second base with two outs and freshman Jake Lamb at the plate. Lamb fought off a 1-and-1 breaking ball that blooped into left field and fell in between three Monroe defenders. Brandenburg was off and running at the crack of the bat and never thought twice about stopping at third. He scored just ahead of the throw and threw his arms up in the air in celebration.

"I was looking at coach (Brad Sizemore), but I knew he wanted me to keep going," Brandenburg said of not stopping at third. "That was just us being aggressive. We've played that way all year."

Monroe, which won the league championship last season, had a 6-0 lead early in the game on Friday, but Carlisle fought back to tie the game 8-8, which forced extra innings.

"We got the winning run at third base and didn't produce," Monroe coach Bob Hunt said. "They did and that was the difference in being league champs and in second place. We have no excuses. They beat us and they deserve the league title."

Brandenburg led the Indians, going 4-for-6 with two doubles and four RBIs. Kyle England and Jake Gibson each had three hits, but Lamb's game-winning hit was his only one of the game.

"Our kids were up to the challenge this year," Sizemore said. "We knew we were going to have to beat Monroe and Madison to win the league, and that was one of our goals. Obviously this feels pretty good and we're proud of what we've done so far, but it's only the end of one season. A new season is beginning and we have a lot of other goals to accomplish."

Monroe was led by J.C. Kellis, who had a two-run home run in the first inning, as well as Cody Ridinger (2-for-4, double, two RBIs), Kyle Stone (2-for-4, RBI) and Jason Osterman (2-for-4).

In the Division III sectional tournament, Carlisle will host the winner between Clinton-Massie and Preble Shawnee on Wednesday, and Monroe will host Oakwood on Thursday in Division II.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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