ATHENS – The Fairfield Union baseball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time in 40 years.
The Falcons certainly earned it. Down 2-0 in the seventh inning against Richmond Edison, Fairfield Union scored two runs to force extra innings and then was able to plate three runs in the top of the 10th inning to pull out a thrilling 5-2 victory to win the Division IV regional championship on Thursday, June 4, at Ohio University’s Bob Wren Stadium.
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The Falcons (24-6) advance to the Final Four and will face Middletown Bishop Fenwick at 1 p.m. June 13 at 7 17 Credit Union Field in Akron.
The 10th inning started when Alex Burke led off with a double. After an out, Brady Andrews laid down a perfect bunt for a hit, bringing up Dylan Chilcote, who hit a shot in left center field that scored both runners to take a 4-2 lead, and later in the inning, the Falcons added another run on a sacrifice fly. Chilcote also had the walk-off hit during the Falcons’ 2-1, eight-inning district championship win.
The seventh-inning rally began when Cody Andrew and Braxton Rowles led off with back-to-back singles, and Eli Hedge reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Ashton Waldrop walked to force in a run, and Rowles tied it by scoring on a wild pitch.
Cody Andrews and Hedges led the Falcons with two hits each.
Joe Blankenship pitched one inning and was relieved by Eli Wolfe, who pitched the final nine innings to pick up the win. He gave up two runs, 11 hits, and struck out four.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Fairfield Union baseball secures first state tournament bid since 1986