Huskies earn walk-off win over Steubenville

It took eight innings, but the Harrison Central Huskies landed the signature victory they have been searching for, doing so in walk-off fashion Monday at Mazeroski Field.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, a Gage Stoneking sacrifice fly scored sophomore Zayden Warrington, clearing the Harrison bench in celebration as the scoreboard flipped to 7-6 in favor of the Huskies. However, it was not smooth sailing on the way to tossed gloves and water bottle showers.

Steubenville (12-8) posted three runs in the first inning, raising alarms for Harrison fans. For much of the season, the Huskies have struggled with the big inning in big games. Stoneking, who was key late in the game, was pivotal throughout the night. A hard-hit ground ball off Stoneking’s bat scored freshman Colson Crothers, who had reached on a single in the previous at-bat.

While still trailing 3-1 after one inning, the response was crucial. Get on the board and recover cleanly in the field. That was the message from head coach Mike Valesko. The message resonated, as the Huskies worked their way back into the game in the fourth. Stoneking doubled to open the bottom half, sophomore Lance Smith watched four pitches miss the zone for a walk and Cash Meadows singled to left to score them both. The result was a 3-3 tie that held until the sixth.

Big Red took a 4-3 lead in the top half, but the Huskies responded in a big way in the home half. A Trae Dunfee single scored Zach Harbold, then a Crothers single scored Dunfee and Meadows, who had reached with an uncharacteristic bunt to the mound.

Harrison went to the seventh needing three outs to preserve a 6-4 victory, but Big Red proved the task was easier said than done. Steubenville’s bats got hot at the right time as a double-triple-single sequence tied the game. The Huskies went three up, three down in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.

Big Red put one on in the eighth but could not capitalize, leaving the door open for the Huskies to set up the walk-off. After reaching on a five-pitch walk, Warrington moved to third on a Crothers single. With one out, Stoneking finished the job. Not only did his sacrifice fly end it, he also pitched the final two innings to earn the win. Hunter Snyder started for Harrison, striking out five in six innings. Harrison outhit Steubenville 12-6.

The Big Red victory will highlight the tournament resume down the stretch, as the East District Division V bracket will be released Sunday. The Huskies split a doubleheader with Brooke last week after falling to Indian Creek in the OVAC 4A semifinal. A 14-2 home victory over Steubenville Catholic Central capped last week’s action.

As of May 5, the Huskies are 13-7. Two more marquee matchups remain before the seeding process is finalized. Martins Ferry was scheduled to visit Mazeroski Field May 6, and statewide powerhouse Apple Creek Waynedale and the Huskies will square off in the third annual Maz Classic this evening, May 8. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.