By, Travis Cox

Central Ohio Scout

OCC play began tonight with Thomas Worthington Cardinals and Upper Arlington Bears squaring off in a neighborhood showdown. 2014 right-handed pitcher Nick Pauley (pictured) was throwing for the Cardinals and unsigned senior Sam Thompson took the mound for the Bears. 

Coach Middleton’s Bears struck in the bottom of the first, when leadoff hitter, Tyler Metcalf, reached on a fielding error and later scored on a Will Marable sacrifice fly.

After going hit-less and scoreless for the first three innings, Coach Gussler finally got his Cardinals offense on the board.  Senior, Nick Highley led off the inning with a sharp single up the middle.  Both, Emerson Keppler (Mount Union commit) and Keegan Lanter, reached on errors. 

With the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the fourth, Thompson mustered his way out of the inning allowing only one run on an Sean Lima fielder's choice. 

With score tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Upper Arlington responded quickly.  After two walks and an error, Thompson helped his own cause with a 3-run triple of the centerfielders head, to give him and his teammates a 4-1 advantage.  UA would score one more in the inning to lead 5-1.

Trailing 6-1 through five innings, the Cardinals bats started to come alive.  Keppler led off with a deep triple to centerfield and would soon score on a double by Lanter.  However, the rally was killed one batter later, when Lanter was picked off at third base. 

With scouts from Miami and Wright State in attendance to watch, Pauley went five innings allowing six runs, only 2 earned.

However, the game was highlighted by the performance of Thompson, who threw a complete game four-hitter.  He also broke the game open in fourth inning with his big hit.

Both teams will face-off again on Wednesday at Thomas Worthington. 

To view scouting notes from this game, please visit the Ohio High School Scouting Blog.