Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — The Fairland Dragons got what they needed when they needed it most.

Garrett Scheibelhood drove in the winning run in the seventh inning as Fairland rallied to edged the Wellston Golden Rockets 2-1 Wednesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

“Scheibelhood clutched up and got a two-out hit for the winning run,” said Fairland coach Bryan Ward.

“It was an exciting win and we executed at the end after we missed on several other chances.”

Fairland had only three hits and Wellston managed just two.

The Rockets had taken the lead with a run in the second inning.

Jordan Arthur and Jake Waldron reached on errors to start the rally. Arthur went to third on a passed ball and scored when Hunter Whalen hit into a double play.

The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the seventh.

Adam Taylor led off and reached on a throwing error.

After a strikeout, Kyle Sowards singled to put runners on the corners. Trace Adkins squeezed home run Taylor and Sowards went to third.

Collin Damron and Dylan Murphy were intentionally walked setting the stage for Scheibelhood who singled to end the game.

Fairland left the bases loaded in second and fifth innings and had two on in the sixth.

Wellston had bases loaded in the top of the seventh but Damron worked out of the jam thanks to a missed squeeze bunt attempt for the second out. He then got a comebacker to end the threat.

Damron got the win in relief.

Fairland (9-9) plays at 11 am. Saturday at South Point in the sectional finals.

Wellston 010 000 0 = 1 2 3

Fairland 000 000 2 = 2 3 4

Jake Waldron and Tyler Walton. Brandon Burcham, Adam Taylor (4), Collin Damron (6) and Garrett Scheibelhood. W-Damron (K-2, BB-1). L-Waldron (K-7, BB-6). Taylor K-1. Burcham K-4, BB-2. Hitting-Wellston: Nick Cox 1-2, Jordan Arthur 1-3; Fairland: Kyle Sowards 1-3, Dylan Murphy 1-2, Garrett Scheibelhood 1-4. 2B-Wellston: Jordan Arthur; Fairland: Dylan Murphy.