March 30, 2013
Hamilton (Ariz.) downs Lexington in NHSI finale
Cary, N.C. — Nick Ohanion pitched into the seventh inning and Tyler Hill added two hits that helped Hamilton (Ariz.) to a 6-2 win over Lexington in the final game of the USA Baseball National High School Invitational at USA Baseball Complex on Saturday.
Lexington, which finished 2-2 in NHSI play, fell to 12-3. The Wildcats, 4-0 in Region 5-AAAA action and ranked No. 1 in the latest SCBCA poll, play at region-foe and 8th-ranked South Aiken at 7:00 on Tuesday. The Huskies improved to 12-3.
Hamilton got run-scoring hits from Zachary Strand, Ryan Peep and Tyler Erwin. The Huskies parlayed eight hits and six Lexington errors into six runs, only one earned.
Ohanion (2-0) picked up the win allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts over the first 6 2/3 innings. Cameron Cruz recorded the final out for the save.
Chase Williamson (0-1), an eighth grader, was the starter and loser allowing three runs, one earned, in two innings of work. Sophomore Michael Smoak worked in relief for Lexington allowing two unearned runs on three hits over four innings. He walked two and struck out five.
Nick Ciuffo extended his hitting streak to 14 games with an RBI single in the fifth inning. Zach Paquette added an RBI single in the frame to account for Lexington’s two runs.
For the tournament, Wildcat pitchers sported a 0.54 ERA allowing only eight runs, two earned, over 26 innings of work. Lexington pitchers surrendered just 21 hits while walking six and striking out 21. Ciuffo led the Wildcats batting .417 (5-12) in the tournament with a pair of RBIs and a walk. Ryan Brown hit safely in three of four games (4-11, .364) and was 4-for-4 in stolen bases and added three walks. Jordan Buster was 3-for-10 (.300) at the plate.
Hamilton (Ariz.) 6, Lexington 2
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Lexington……….. 000 020 0 – 2 5 6
Hamilton………… 031 200 X – 6 8 1
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WP – Nick Ohanion (2-0). LP – Chase Williamson (0-1).
Records: Lexington 12-3, Hamilton (Ariz.) 12-3
Lexington plays at South Aiken at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Region 5-AAAA play.