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MiddletownJournal.com

Edgewood repeats as MML South champs

FRANKLIN — Dusty Taggart saved the day for Edgewood.

Or did he win it?

Either way, the Cougars repeated as the Mid-Miami League South Division champs Thursday with a 7-4 win at Franklin.

In a game that was continued from an April 7 rainout, Taggart pitched 5 2/3 strong innings before giving way to Chase Stewart for the final out of the sixth.

Taggart had allowed four runs to that point and walked off the mound with two outs, one man on and a one-run lead.

The Cougars (15-6, 10-2 MML South) extended their lead on a bases loaded single by Taggart in the seventh, but a strange turn of events led to Taggart's return to the mound.

Stewart was pulled for a pinch runner in the seventh inning, the second such time in the game. By rule, he is only allowed to re-enter a game once.

Although the home plate umpire originally allowed Stewart to re-enter, he changed his tune and Stewart had to leave.

Enter Taggart. The senior threw 13 pitches and set the Wildcats down in order, including a pair of strikeouts to clinch the league title.

"It got me really fired up," Taggart said. "There was a lot less pressure with the extra runs and I knew the defense would back me up.

"I just knew I had to step up and throw as hard as I could."

"What a gutsy performance by Dusty," said Edgewood coach Brian Caudill. "It was great to see him do what he did. I'm just real proud of all these kids.

"We set out at the beginning of the season to repeat as league champs. We knew it was going to be a challenge and we met those challenges when we really needed to."

Franklin (12-14, 5-6 MML South) had opportunities, but only got within one and left the bases full in the fifth.

"Their pitcher reacted good to that situation," said Franklin coach Matt Kinser. "You gotta give him credit for that. We had a chance. Bases loaded with one out in the fifth. We've done that all year. We battled and I'm very proud of them."

Aside from earning the win (and save?), Taggart was 2-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs. Jason Edwards, Billy Stevenson and Mark Braun each had two hits and Josh Crout had a solo home run and two RBIs.

The Wildcats were led by Zach Powell, who was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Chad Schrock, Matt Walton and Tyler Fenner also had two hits apiece and Dustin Hunt had a solo home run.

Contact this reporter at (513)

705-2852

or

sweaver

@

coxohio.com.