JEROMESVILLE — The rugged Division III Wellington district tournament claimed its first victim last week.
Hillsdale will try to avoid becoming the second.
The third-seeded Falcons (17-5) advanced to this week’s district semifinals and will play No. 18 Waynedale at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Wellington’s Rec Park.
The Golden Bears (6-12) punched their ticket to the district tournament with a stunning run rule-shortened 13-3 win over No. 4 Tuslaw in last week’s sectional championship game. Tuslaw was the 2022 Division III state runner-up.
Hillsdale advanced with a 9-1 win over Columbia in the sectional championship game. Pitcher Taylor Morgan gave up just two hits while striking out 16.
In Tuesday’s second game at Wellington, fifth-seeded Northwestern will take on No. 1 Keystone at 5 p.m. The Huskies (15-4) advanced with. 4-0 win over No. 9 Cuyahoga Heights. Keystone blanked No. 13 Clearview 16-0.
In the Division III Creston district semifinals, No. 8 Loudonville will take on defending Division II state champ and No. 2 seed Triway at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Norwayne High School. The Redbirds clubbed No. 10 Black River 17-10, while Triway roughed up No. 16 Fairless 21-0.
In Division IV, a pair of local Firelands Conference rivals will meet for the third time when second-seeded New London squares off against No. 3 South Central at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Galion. The Wildcats (13-7) advanced with an 11-0 win over No. 9 Seneca East while the Trojans (10-10) roughed up No. 5 Lucas 17-1.
New London and South Central split their Firelands Conference series earlier this month. New London won the first meeting 6-4, while South Central claimed a 5-3 win in the rematch.
