OHSAA baseball: Diego Astacio helps spark Olentangy Orange's run to Division I state final
Diego Astacio has fond memories of playing baseball in his native Puerto Rico, but his time on the diamond with Olentangy Orange is second to none.
Astacio and his family moved to Ohio when he was in fifth grade because of family work commitments. He joined the program at Orange as a freshman and now, as a senior, has helped put the Pioneers in position to win their first state championship.
A left-handed first baseman and pitcher, Astacio is hitting .453 with seven doubles, one triple, one home run, 29 RBIs and 27 runs scored. He bats cleanup and provides energy for Orange, which will take on No. 1 Cincinnati Moeller in the Division I title game at 10 a.m. Saturday at Canal Park in Akron.
“This is the first time in history (for Orange in the state final),” Astacio said. “It’s unbelievable. We get to play Moeller again. We already played them (an 8-2 loss April 22). It’s going to be unreal.”
Astacio, who was named second-team all-state and first-team all-district this season, is from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, and started playing baseball at age 3. The tropical climate meant there was no offseason.
“If you would have told me that ... my senior year, I’d be playing in Akron for a state championship, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said. “I’d rather take this than playing year-round in Puerto Rico.”
Orange (23-10) is playing in its second state tournament and first since 2017, when it lost to Strongsville 3-2 in a semifinal. Moeller (30-3) is at state for the 13th time and seeking its ninth title, but first since 2015.
The Pioneers advanced to the final with a 3-2, nine-inning win Thursday over Whitehouse Anthony Wayne, while Moeller beat Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 2-0 in the first semifinal in Akron.
Cole Cahill pitched the first eight innings for Orange. He also led off the bottom of the ninth with a triple and scored the winning run on Keegan Knupp’s squeeze bunt.
Astacio went 0-for-5 — a rare off game at the plate — but had 15 putouts at first base.
His positive attitude has made a difference all season, according to coach Tom Marker.
“He’s gigantic,” Marker said. “He pours into everybody. He’s just different that way. He’s such a team guy and such a program guy. He loves our program all so much.”
Astacio takes pride in his leadership abilities and his enthusiasm for the game.
“I have a lot of fun out there,” he said. “Going out there and trying my hardest since I was a little kid is important. You have to have that energy all the time.”
Astacio, who will play college baseball at Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais, Illinois, credits Marker for his continued improvement.
“He means the world to me,” Astacio said. “He’s done everything recruiting-wise. He made me better as a player, better as a person.”
Jacob Tabor earned the win in relief against Anthony Wayne, tossing a scoreless ninth on 10 pitches. He is expected to get the start against Moeller.
“(Moeller coach) Tim Held is one of my best friends,” Marker said. “They’re a really good team. They have 10 Division I commits. At this point, every win is momentum. I don’t think this one (against Anthony Wayne) adds any more to that. ... Tabor is a stud. He’ll be ready to roll.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Astacio helps spark Orange's run to OHSAA baseball state final
