After being suspended multiple times, No. 1 Francis Howell and Timberland concluded their 2-2 game, with Francis Howell scoring three runs in the top half of the 8^th inning to ddefeat Timberland 5-2 and advance to play No. 2 CBC. 

In the championship game, Justin Paulsen provided CBC the runs they would need to come back from being down 3-1 to coming away with a 6-3 win, highlighted by Paulsen’s walk off three run homerun. 

No. 1 Francis Howell took an early lead against No. 2 CBC, 2-0 in the top of the third. Elijah Dilday reached second on a misplayed ball in the outfield, and came around to score on a Nate Green RBI single. The next batter, starting pitcher Calvin Munson, helped himself by driving the ball off the left centerfield wall for a RBI double scoring Green. 

CBC got a run back in the bottom of the fourth. Joe Schrimpf led off the frame with a double to left center and came around to score on a RBI single off the bat of Justin Paulsen, cutting the lead to 2-1. 

Howell would tack on another run in the top of the sixth inning with an Elijah Dilday solo homerun, his third of the young season. 

A fired up CBC team had no quit in them, plating two runs in the bottom half of the six to even up the score at 3-3. With one out, Jake Burger, Justin Paulsen, and Matt Vierling hit consecutive singles to load the bases. Travis Kostello drove home Burger on a controversial fielders choice, with the umpire saying that Howell catcher Nic Perkins foot was not on home plate for the force out. With two outs in the sixth, Jaelen Gilkey came through in the clutch with an RBI single, scoring Paulsen and tying the game. 

As the temperature got colder, CBC’s bats came alive in the bottom half of the seventh. Mike Venturella led off with a single and advanced to second on a Joe Schrimpf walk. With one out, Justin Paulsen came to the plate with the winning run at second, and blasted the first walk off walk off homerun of his career to deep right field and was mobbed at home plate by his teammates. 

“It was a curveball, and I was looking for it, and got the barrel on the ball,” said Paulsen. “We were able to hang in after being down and coming back showed a lot of heart that our team has.”

 

In other ranked action.
No. 17 Valle Catholic fell to Notre Dame 7 to 1. Ross Jones picked up the win throwing five innings of two hit ball. Six different Notre Dame players collected an RBI, including Jason Haggerty, Luke Harris, Chase Simmons, Stephen Brennan, Matt Westrich, Griffin Siebert, and Chase Urhahn. 

No. 21 Ladue beat up on McCluer 11 to 1. Lex Kaplan had a perfect 2-for-2 day with two RBIs, while Gabe Grand and Michael Wielansky each drove in two runs a piece. Turner Miller and Jason Blanke also collected a RBI. CJ Goenecker picked up the win going three innings allowing one hit and striking out five.

 

In other limited action around the state:
Seckman improve to 3-1 on the season, shutting out Ft. Zumwalt East 10 to 0. Brandon Smith led the Seckman offense with a 3-for-4 day and three RBIs. Collin Edwards stayed hot at the plate going 2-for-2, driving in two runs and Brady Politte drove in a pair of runs as well. 

Hazelwood West blanked Lindbergh. No. 2 ranked player in the Class of 2012 Devin Williams in his first start of the season threw six inning of shut out ball while striking out 12 batters and scattering three hits. Teddy Molinari led the West offense going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. 

Oran picked up a win in their first game, slugging to a 14-0 win over Advance. Hunter Schlosser got the win throwing three perfect innings and striking out seven. Seth Ressel stuck out all six batters he faced in two innings of relief work. Overall, Oran pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts. Alex Huering provided all the offense Oran would need with four RBIs. 

O’Fallon Christian beat up on Crystal City 11 to 1. Jay Billings gave up two hits in five innings pitched, striking out seven. 

Malden 4        Holcomb 2 

Rolla 7                        Herrmann 1

St. Pius X 4                 Saxony Lutheran 3