By Matt Wallisa

No. 16 ranked Cincinnati Elder would advance to the district finals, in which they will play No. 2 Cincinnati Moeller, with a 4-3 over No. 42 Vandalia Butler in the game on Friday evening.

Vandalia Butler was able to put the first runs on the board when they scored 1 run in the top of the 3rd off Elder starter Mitchell Asman(2013). With no outs, Kyle Winkle(2012) would triple to right center to begin things off for Butler. Asman would bare down and retire the following 2 Butler hitters to get 2 outs. With the runner remaining on third, Butler's John Meyers(2013) would single to make the score 1-0 Butler.

With Elder needing to score some runs to get the advantage, they would put 2 across successfully in the bottom half of the 3rd. This would give them the 2-1 lead. The Elder hitters would be facing hard throwing right hander Taylore Cherry(2012) in this game. Things began when Cherry struck out Kevin Helmers (2012), but a drop third strike allowed him to reach successfully. Cherry would strike out a lot of hitters over his outing due to his fastball speed's of 92-94 mph with a nasty sinker at 88 mph. Cherry would have a lot of control issues over this game which following Helmers would allow a walk to David Haley(2012). Elder would have first and second with nobody out. Helmers on 2nd base, would then steal third making things really interesting for Elder. A single then from Jimmy White(2013) would tie things at 1 apiece. Cherry's control issue's would continue when he walked the bases loaded by walking Ben Kenning(2013). Elder would get there second run across on a wild pitch allowing Helmers to score making it 2-1 Elder.

Butler would answer back in the top half of the 5th to make the score 3-2 Butler

This would also be the final inning for Elder starter Mitchell Asman. Asman would pitch 5 2/3 innings giving up 3 earned over that time. He would finish the game with a no decision. Asman had a curve going at 74 mph with a fastball at around 85.

Butler began things out in the 5th inning from a single by Kevin Brackman(2012) to left center. Butler would then see back to back triples from Eric Hansman(2013) and Dan Link(2012) make the score 3-2 Butler. They would knock out the Elder starter and relieving him was Zack Coon(2012). Coon would pitch very well over his 2 1/3 innings of work and would eventually be the winning pitcher for Elder. Coon had a fastball working at 82 mph with a curve going at around 70.

Elder would get their go ahead runs in the bottom half of the 6th inning. Cherry would get the first out of the inning, but then would allow a double to Anthony Asalon(2012). Cherry, again would have control problems and he would hit Kevin Helmers(2012). Elder would then do a double steal to put both runners into scoring position at 2nd and 3rd. Butler would keep the infield back, and then allow an RBI groundout by David Haley(2013) to tie things at 3-3. Elder would then hit the go ahead run in on a single by Jimmy White(2013) to make the score 4-3 Elder. That would mark the end of Taylore Cherry's day, with 6 innings pitched and being stuck with the Loss in this game.

Elder's Zack Coon would make things interesting in the 7th inning by walking 2 Butler batters, but a sac-bunt and a double play would be the way Butler would see their season end. Elder won the game 4-3 and will battle Moeller Friday at 5 with the winner advancing to state.