ARCANUM – The opening inning wasn’t one to write home about as Miami East left two runners stranded in the top of the first and then saw Arcanum score two runs in its swing at the plate.
But Miami East wasn’t deterred as it responded in the top fo the second to tie the score and then settled down defensively to shut out Arcanum throughout the remainder of the contest.
Much of that was due to the pitching of Gage Butz, who entered the contest in the bottom of the first for starter Ethan Howell. Butz picked up the win and only allowed one hit.
After scoreless innings in the third and fourth, Miami East took a 3-2 lead on a run scored by Austin Francis. The Vikings then scored two in the sixth and one more in the seventh for the 6-2 victory.
The Vikings accumulated eight hits and allowed just three hits to the Trojans.
Austin Francis was 3-for-3 with a triple and Cael Rose connected on a pair of hits. Austin Monnin, Connor Apple and Luke Hammier also recorded hits.
The Vikings improve to 13-11 and will play Versailles on Monday in the sectional final.
