Alex Schillig
Regional Correspondent 

XENIA, OH -- Two top division III teams squared off, as Hamilton Badin took on CHCA for a spot in the regional finals.

CHCA sent North Carolina commit, and potential MLB Draftee Cameron Varga to the mound to shut down a hot Badin squad.

Badin’s TJ Nichting smoked the first pitch of the game off Varga for a single. People quickly started wondering how Varga would react.  Varga reacted by setting down the next three hitters all on strikeouts. There was no doubt that Cameron was on top of his game. 

Opposing pitcher Michael Davis clearly knew his team would need his best with his counterpart being Varga.  As the game moved along, people started to realize that Davis was in total control of the CHCA lineup.

No real threats occurred until the 3rd inning.  Badin’s eight-hole hitter Caleb Weust started the inning with an infield single, and was moved to third on sacrifice plays.  With Weust on third, Varga went back into the windup, and Caleb thought this was a perfect opportunity to get on the board.  So, Weust took off from third trying to steal home!  Batter Nick Browning squared to bunt with two strikes, and bunted the ball foul ending the inning.  On what looked like their best chance of scoring, there was an obvious mix-up between coach and player.

Innings flew by as stellar defense was played along with great pitching.  Through 6 innings Varga had 11 K’s, and Davis had 7 K’s, with both giving up no runs.

As the top of the 7th started, both dugouts intensity raised knowing whoever scores the first run will most likely win, and advance to regional finals.

CHCA pitcher Cameron Varga came out for the 7th, and was as strong as he had been all game.  Sitting 93-94 mph, he struck out the side, giving his team a great opportunity in the bottom of the inning.

The CHCA lineup got two on base early in the bottom of the inning, but Michael Davis shut their opportunity down. Into extra innings they went.

Coming back out in the 8th was Varga.  It was obvious he wanted the ball, and nothing was taking him out that key spot.  Varga picked up two easy outs to start the inning, but then the Badin bats came alive.  Senior T.J. Nichting hit an infield single, and it was now Nick Browning’s turn.  Browning squared up Varga’s fastball driving it deep in the left center gap.  Nichting rounded third, and touched home giving Badin the first run of the day with a 1-0 lead.

The top of the 8th inning came to a close with Badin’s 1-0 lead in tact.

Senior Michael Davis was out of gas, so junior Cameron Mohr replaced him.  Two-hole hitter Bobby Paola reached first on an error.  After the next two hitters, Paola was sitting on third with one out.  Hamilton Badin reached back into the bullpen bringing out senior T.J. Nichting.  With the tying run at third Badin needed a miracle.  They got that in the form of a game ending 6-3 double play.

Top Performers:
Cameron Varga: 8 IP, 15 K's, 1 ER
Michael Davis: 7 IP, 10 K's, 0 ER

To view scouting notes from games across Ohio, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week. To view scouting notes from games across Ohio, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog. The blog gets updated throughout the week. 

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