Lions fall to Bearcats in district finals

CHILLICOTHE — Both the Fairfield Lions and the Paint Valley Bearcats were on a hot streak as they entered Monday night's Division IV SE District title game, but one hit to shallow centerfield with a runner on second base changed the tone of the game and sealed the Bearcats' district title.

PV won the game by a 1-0 score, as their lone run came in the top of fifth, when a base hit to shallow centerfield at VA Memorial Stadium by Teagan McFadden allowed Cody Draise to score from second base.

That run allowed PV (15-14) to win their first district championship since 1996.

This was the lone run allowed by the Lions (17-8) in the postseason, as the district runners-up won over Peebles, 16-0 and South Webster, 7-0.

"We allowed just one run in the three tournament games, but that one run killed us," FHS head coach Matt Garman said.

Draise began the scoring inning with a one-out base hit to left field, followed by moving to second on a fielder's choice hit by Jacob Brookes, who was also safe at first base.

The Lions last won a district championship in 2002.

Other than the run in the fifth, the game belonged to pitchers Mason McCloy of Paint Valley and Joey Wilson of Fairfield.

The numbers of McCloy and Wilson were very similar, with Wilson pitching all seven innings, allowing the one earned run on four hits and three walks. He struck out six.

The earned run was just the third earned run allowed by Wilson all season.

"Joey pitched well ... we just couldn't hit the baseball," Garman said. "Joey was lights out, but credit their pitcher as well."

McCloy was the winning pitcher, as he also pitched a complete seven-inning game. The PV pitcher allowed no runs on four hits and no walks. He struck out six.

McCloy retired the first seven batters he faced, with the first hit by the Lions coming in the bottom of the third with one out as Ryan Bates reached the bases on an infield hit by second base.

Bates eventually reached third on a sacrifice by Quintin Schaffer but was left stranded. The FHS fourth inning ended on a 4-3 double play.

From the fifth inning through the seventh, the Lions had just two base runners. Gaining hits in the game for the Lions were Wilson, Isaiah Liggins, Zach Cox and Bates.

All nine batters in the lineup for the Lions were seniors.

The Lions' defense converted a 6-4-3 double play to end the third inning.

For the Bearcats, their four hits were by Anthony McFadden, Teagan McFadden, McCloy and Draise. Teagan McFadden finished 1-for-2 with two walks.

PV won their district semifinal game by a 17-7 score over Symmes Valley.

The Bearcats will play again on Thursday, May 29 at Beavers Field in Lancaster in a Division IV Regional Semifinal game.

FHS graduates 12 seniors.