Subscribe nowCustomer Service

Register Now

• Sign In
• E-mail preferences

MiddletownJournal.com

Carlisle cruises to 5-0 win in sectional finals

CARLISLE — Carlisle took advantage of having its Division III sectional championship battle moved to its home field.

The second-seeded Indians (18-7) collected nine hits and leaned on senior pitcher David Lain to shut out Monroe 5-0 in claiming their third sectional title in four years.

"We're not a team that is going to have 20 hits in a game," said Carlisle coach Dan Turner. "We need timely hitting and that's what we got today. We took advantage of their miscues in the third inning."

Brad Swanton got the Indians' three-run third inning started when he beat out a bunt for a single. After being sacrificed to second by Danny Baker, he went to third as Jared Hardwick reached first safely on an error. Swanton scored on another fielding error.

Carlisle would score twice more off the bats of Adam Leach and Dylan Brandenburg as the Hornets committed three errors in the inning.

"(Tyler) Gainey pitched a great game for us, but we didn't make the plays behind him," said Monroe coach Bob Hunt. "We didn't come to play so we don't deserve to win."

Baker got things rolling for the Indians in the fourth inning with a two-out double. Pinchrunner Zach Long would then score on a single by Hardwick, who would also score when Joe Profitt singled to center field.

Baker and Brandenburg each finished the day with 2-for-3 performances.

"Danny (Baker) was hurt at the beginning of the year," Turner said of the senior. "He's come back to do a wonderful job for us in the ninth hole. And Brandenburg has been struggling of late, but he had a big hit too. It's rewarding to see all their hard work paying off."

Carlisle will play West Liberty-Salem, the state's top-ranked team, at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Division III district finals at Wayne High School.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.