JACKSON — Zach Roth delivered at the plate and on the mound as second-seeded Saxony Lutheran advanced to the Class 3, District 2 championship game with a 5-1 victory over third-seeded Arcadia Valley in a semifinal played May 18.
Originally scheduled for Scott City, the game was moved to Jackson because of weather, forcing both teams to adjust before first pitch.
“We had a lot of stuff going on before the game even started, getting the field ready and fighting the rain and everything,” Saxony coach Paul Sander said. “But we got it underway.”
After a quiet start offensively, the Crusaders broke through in the third inning with 2 runs before Roth provided the biggest swing of the day in the fifth.
Leading 2-1, Roth crushed a 3-run home run to extend Saxony’s lead and give the Crusaders breathing room heading into the late innings.
“Zach Roth did a lot today,” Sander said. “He hit a 3-run homer, and then he pitched a complete game on the mound. So he had a really good day.”
Roth was dominant on the mound, allowing just 2 hits and 1 run over 7 innings while striking out 13 and walking only 1.
Saxony finished with 8 hits in the win. Kai McDowell, Eli Raddemann and Baylor Wilson each collected 2 hits for the Crusaders. McDowell scored twice and doubled, Raddemann added 2 runs scored, while Wilson finished with 2 hits. Roth went 1-for-2 with 4 RBI, highlighted by his homer, while James Hope tripled and drove in a run.
“We put together a nice game today,” Sander said. “Zach struck out 12 and only walked 1, so he had a nice day. Kai McDowell, Baylor Wilson and Eli Raddemann all had 2 hits apiece. It was a really well-played game.”
Arcadia Valley managed only 2 hits and scored its lone run in the sixth inning. Evan Inman and Stuart Anderson each recorded a hit, while Anderson drove in the Tigers’ only run.
Sander credited Arcadia Valley for providing a tough challenge in the district semifinal.
“Arcadia Valley was a solid opponent and they had a nice year,” Sander said. “It was well played by both teams.”
The victory improved Saxony to 17-4 and moved the Crusaders into the district championship against top-seeded Scott City, which entered the postseason at 31-1.
“Scott City is the No. 1 seed,” Sander said. “We know it’s a tough game and a good opponent, but anything can happen on a given day in baseball.”
