A look at Opening Day in Southwest Ohio high school baseball as teams began March 23
Just like Major League Baseball will have this week, high school baseball in Southwest Ohio had its Opening Day in the midst of March Madness in the high school and college basketball ranks.
Southwest Ohio started its seven-week regular season March 23. While high school baseball teams don’t play 162 games, Opening Day is still just one game in the grand scheme of things for prep stars. But here is a glimpse at some of the highlights of Opening Day in Cincinnati.
Moeller, Mason start strong against Cleveland team
Moeller and Mason, the top-two ranked teams in the preseason state Division I poll by the coaches association, played Strongsville from northern Ohio in a doubleheader at Mason Saturday. Both came way with opening wins.
Moeller won 13-2, rapping out 13 hits and allowing three. Senior Will McCullough had three hits and scored four runs. Zion Theophilus and two seniors combined for a three-hitter with five strikeouts.
Moeller hosts Ryle, the preseason favorite in Kentucky’s Ninth Region on Tuesday, then jumps right into Greater Catholic League-South play Wednesday vs. Elder at Xavier’s baseball field.
Mason beat Strongsville 4-1. Bryce Brannon and Ben Hanley combined for a two-hitter and 10 strikeouts. The Comets only had two hits themselves but drew nine walks.
Mason will play Colerain in two games this week to begin Greater Miami Conference play, then the Comets will play three games this weekend in Murfreesboro, Tenn. during spring break.
Fairfield is also playing in Tennessee this weekend.
Moeller and Mason are scheduled to play April 20 at Prasco Park.
Oak Hills gets statement shutout win over La Salle
Oak Hills senior Trenton Murphy had arguably the most impressive pitching performance on Opening Day. The senior shut out GCL-South team La Salle 1-0, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out 11. He had a 3.50 ERA in seven starts last year, with two complete games.
Norwood pitcher has perfect day
Norwood started the season with a five-inning 11-0 win over Trotwood-Madison. Junior Noah Davis pitched an immaculate perfect game, striking out all 15 batters he faced without allowing a walk. He also had three hits and four RBI at the plate.
Davis was 4-1 with a 1.86 ERA last season for the Indians, who were 10-12 last year but only 2-10 in the Miami Valley Conference. He and the Indians will get a big test this week, starting league play with two games against Cincinnati Country Day, which is ranked ninth in the Division III state poll.
League play starts right away
With a short season, many Southwest Ohio leagues jump right into league play this week, especially the ones with the most schools. The Greater Miami Conference and Eastern Cincinnati Conference play 18 league games, two against each opponent in the same week, and have league games all week. The GCL-South plays nine league games, with each team playing each other three times. The Miami Valley Conference also plays several league games this week.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: A look at Opening Day in Southwest Ohio high school baseball
