By Dylan Hefflinger

HAMLER- Patrick Henry took advantage of Liberty-Benton's mistakes in the 7th inning en route to a 3-1 victory for a Division III sectional championship.

With one out in the 7th, senior University of Toledo commit Kevin Kline hit a fly ball to left that the Eagles' left fielder took a couple steps over to catch, but dropped the ball. With Kline on first, junior Gabe Jones roped a double to the warning track that plated Kline to put the Patriots up 2-1.

Sophomore  Josh Peterson followed with a bloop single to put runners on the corners and the Patriots got an insurance run when senior catcher Kyle Bergstedt ripped a line shot to center that the Eagles center fielder caught. Jones tagged from third to score the third run, while Peterson just kept running around the bases and was called out at first after Jones scored.

The 6-5 Kline was dominant on the mound in improving to 6-2 on the season after going the distance with his 87-89 mph fastball allowing just one unearned run. Kline gave up just two hits and two walks, while striking out six.

The Patriots jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 4th. Senior Austin Christman reached base on an error by the Eagles' first basemen and moved up to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore Kollin Spence drove in the first run with an RBI single.

Liberty-Benton (16-7) got its only run in the bottom of the 6th. A lead-off single from 2-hole hitter Grant Moses was followed by a sac bunt from sophomore pitcher Jared Neiling that moved Moses to second. After a fly out, Moses stole third and scored on an RBI single from junior Andrew Kotey.

Neiling went the distance on the mound for Liberty-Benton allowing three runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out five.

Patrick Henry (15-8) advances to the districts at UNOH on May 17th at 5:00 p.m. against the winner of Thursday's game between No. 14 Coldwater and Delphos Jefferson.