The sting will eventually go away, but for now Walsh Jesuit’s runner-up finish in its return to the baseball state championship game is understandably a disappointment.
The Warriors actually held a lead early before four unearned runs did them in June 13 in a 4-1 loss to the Eagles at 7 17 Credit Union Park.
It’s the second title in six years for the Eagles (26-7) and third in program history.
Watch Ohio High School Sports Live on NFHS Network all year
It’s the third time the Warriors (16-14) have finished second in seven title games. They also finished runner-up in 2009 and 2010.
Will Blueter had a double and RBI in the loss.
New Albany’s Aidan Wyche (3-3) picked up the win, allowing one run (earned) on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in seven innings.
Luca Borichevsky (1-3) took the loss, but all four runs he gave up in four innings were unearned.
Here’s how it all went down.
New Albany heads to the seventh up 3
Van Routhier flew out to right. Justin Speert walked. Nick Nardell grounded into a fielder’s choice, Speert to second. Caden Kistner grounded out to short. New Albany 4, Walsh Jesuit 1 T7
Walsh Jesuit goes down in order in the sixth
Sean McHugh lined out to short. Will Blueter flew out to center. Tanner Fitzwater grounded out to the pitcher. New Albany 4, Walsh Jesuit 1 B6
New Albany goes down in order in the fifth
Will Blueter comes on in relief. Mason Ackermann struck out swinging. Carson Skinner grounded out to second. Connor Bahr struck out swinging.
Luca Borichevsky went four innings of seven-hit ball. He didn’t walk or strike out a batter. All four runs he gave up were unearned. New Albany 4, Walsh Jesuit 1 T6
Walsh Jesuit leaves a runner on in the fifth
Colin Licigno lined out to the pitcher. Shawn Sullivan singled to center. Ryan Batley flew out to center. Carlos Smith grounded into a fielder’s choice, Sullivan out at second. New Albany 4, Walsh Jesuit 1 B5
New Albany takes lead on four unearned runs in fourth
Carson Skinner grounded out to second. Connor Bahr singled to left. Van Routhier singled to third, Bahr to second. Justin Speert flew out to center. Nick Nardell reached on an error to right field, Bahr scored, Routhier to third. Caden Kistner singled to right, Routhier scored, Nardell to second. Runners moved up on a wild pitch. Remy Trautner singled to left, Nardell scored, Kistner scored. Hoovler flew out to right. New Albany 4, Walsh Jesuit 1 T5
Walsh Jesuit leaves the bases loaded in the fourth inning
Sean McHugh singled to right. Will Blueter hit into a fielder’s choice, McHugh out at second. Tanner Fitzwater reached a bunt single in between the pitcher and first baseman. Ben Babinec singled to center. Matthew Mansbery grounded into a 6-3 double play. Walsh Jesuit 1, New Albany 0 B4
New Albany reaches, but still comes up empty in the third inning
Caden Kistner grounded out to short. Remy Trautner grounded out to second. Jate Hoovler got hit by a pitch. Mason Ackermann grounded into a fielder’s choice, Hoovler out at second. Walsh Jesuit 1, New Albany 0 T4
Warriors go down in order in the third
Shawn Sullivan grounded out to short. Ryan Batley grounded out to short. Carlos Smith flew out to left. Walsh Jesuit 1, New Albany 0 B3
New Albany puts two on but doesn’t score in second
Carson Skinner grounded out to second. Connor Bahr singled off the pitcher. Van Routhier flew out to center. Justin Speert singled to center, Bahr to second. Nick Nardell flew out to left. Walsh Jesuit 1, New Albany 0 T3
Walsh Jesuit jumps New Albany in the second
Sean McHugh singled to center. Will Blueter doubled to left-center, McHugh scored. Tanner Fitzwater walked. Ben Babinec sacrifice bunted, Blueter to third, Fitzwater to second. Matthew Mansbery struck out looking. Colin Locigno grounded out to third. Walsh Jesuit 1, New Albany 0 B2
Eagles reach base, come up empty in the first
Caden Kistner flew out to right. Remy Trautner grounded out to a diving Matthew Mansbery at short. Jate Hoovler singled to short. Mason Ackermann flew out to third. Walsh Jesuit 0, New Albany 0 T2
Warriors strand two in the first inning
Matthew Mansbery grounded out to shortstop. Colin Locigno reached on an infield single to second. Shawn Sullivan walked. Ryan Batley struck out looking. Carlos Smith grounded out to first. Walsh Jesuit 0, New Albany 0 B1
When do the Warriors and Eagles play today?
First pitch is 8:10 p.m. ET.
Where to watch or listen the Warriors and Eagles game today?
The game is streamed on the NFHS Network or on the OHSAA Radio Network.
Walsh Jesuit, New Albany probable starters
Walsh Jesuit will send left-hander Luca Borichevsky (1-2, 1.42, save) against New Albany right-hander Aidan Wyche (2-3, 3.61).
Walsh Jesuit lineup today vs. New Albany
New Albany lineup today vs. Walsh Jesuit
Who to watch for Walsh Jesuit
Michigan recruit Matthew Mansbery (.420, five triples, seven doubles, 19 steals), Locigno (.270, two HRs, 19 RBIs), Carlos Smith (.373, seven doubles, 13 RBIs) and Ryan Batley (.305, three HRs, 14 RBIs) are the players to watch for the Warriors.
Who to watch for New Albany
Mason Ackermann (.438, two HRs, 27 RBIs), Carson Skinner (.354, three doubles, 22 RBIs) and Remy Trautner (.334, five doubles, 20 RBIs) will try to bring title No. 3 back to New Albany.
What is the state final history for both teams
Walsh is playing in its seventh state final. The Warrior won titles in 1999, 2004, 2006 and 2008. They were second in 2009 and 2010.
New Albany is making its third trip to the state final. The Eagles won titles in 2004 and 2021.
How Walsh Jesuit, New Albany got to the state final
The Warriors beat Euclid 20-0 and Mayfield 7-3 to win the Northeast 3 District. They knocked off Highland 2-0 and Shaker Heights 8-4 to win Region 5. Walsh then advanced to the state final with a 4-2 win over Hoover in 10 innings.
The Eagles beat Columbus Walnut Ridge 22-0 and Pataskala Licking Heights 11-0 to win the Central 3 District. They knocked off Westerville South 2-1 and Sunbury Big Walnut 5-1 to win Region 7. New Albany then advanced to the state final with a 4-2 win over Cincinnati Harrison.
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Walsh Jesuit baseball score vs. New Albany. Warriors state runner-up
Reporting by Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
