WL-Salem fights off Northridge

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In sloppy conditions that made even the normally routine play a challenge, West Liberty-Salem’s baseball team survived a battle with Northridge on Wednesday in a Division III sectional semifinal game.

The host Tigers outlasted the Polar Bears 7-5 to advance to the sectional final at 3 p.m. Friday at Tipp City. Second-seeded WL-Salem (21-5) plays the winner of today’s game between top-seeded Tri-County North and Northeastern.

“We didn’t play very well,” said WL-Salem head coach Toby Smith. “I think the conditions may have had something to do with that, but you still have to go out and play. Luckily we were able to advance and live to play another day.”

Northridge was plagued by five errors, while the Tigers committed three errors.

“We didn’t field it very well, we didn’t hit very well and we didn’t pitch it very well,” said Smith. “In the tournament you have to elevate the level of your play or you will be done.”

The Tigers led 4-1 after three innings, but Northridge scored two runs in the top of the fourth to make the score 4-3.

WL-Salem scored a run in the fourth and two in the fifth to increase its lead to 7-3. The Polar Bears added a run in the sixth and seventh innings, but it wasn’t enough.

Tyler Cordell was 2-4 and Greyson Miller had a double to lead WL-Salem’s offense.

WL-SALEM 7 — NORTHRIDGE 5
Polar Bears 010 201 1 — 5 4 5 — Tigers 112 120 X — 7 5 3
Rogers, Stomft (5) and Strong; Levy, Hayes (4) and Reed. WP—Hayes; LP—Rogers.

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