(6-7-21) Both Lincolnview and Valley will return to the Baseball State Finals for the first time in over 40 years. The two schools have not played in the Final Four since the 1970’s and looking at both of their pasts….they are quite similar. Lincolnview last competed in the Final Four in 1974, while Valley last did it in 1977.
A year after the Lancers last appearance, Valley in 1975 would win their only state title.
This weekend they will both return to the Finals and a chance to win their 2nd state championship.
Valley depended on two sophomore pitchers to win the Regionals, George Arnett had a complete game win in the Regional semifinal over Paint Valley 2-0. Arnett issued only one walk, allowed six hits, and struck out five.
In the Regional championship game, Carter Nickel, in a complete game win, struck out seven in Valley’s win over Berlin Hiland 5-2.
After the Regional win Valley Coach Nolan Crabtree told the Southern Ohio Sports Authority –
“Baseball is something that people hang onto in Lucasville. That 1975 team that won state is still talked about, along with the 77′ team that made it to state. It’s always been a big part of the community and some great players like 1972 World Series MVP Gene Tenace and Branch Rickey played at Valley. Our community support has been unreal and just to see us finally get over the hump after all of this time is such an amazing feeling. It’s onto Akron now.”
“Pitching, defense, and if our bats keep swinging we’re going to be just fine. I’m really excited for our kids and community to get this opportunity because it doesn’t happen very often. It’s something these kids dream about and for them to get to live this, after not having a season last year, it’s special.”
Lincolnview also depends on two (veteran) pitchers, including OHSBCA D IV Player of the Year and Ohio State commit Landon Price (LHP). In the Regional semifinal he had a perfect game through 5.1 innings, before giving up 4 hits, striking out 13 and did not walk anyone beating Antwerp 7-2. The two runs he gave up up was his first of the season. Price did his part with the bat too…going 2 for 4, scoring three runs and one RBI.
In the Regional final game Collin Overholt (RHP) threw a one-hit shutout in a 5-0 win over Leipsic. He struck out 12 and walked none and also helped at the plate going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.
Lincolnview Coach Eric Fishpaw told the Times-Bulletin after the game –
“Back in March we set goals of sectional champs, district champs, regional champs, and they put ‘state champs’ on the board. The goal was to get there, and our next goal is to win it, so don’t be satisfied with just getting there.”
The two will play in state semifinal game in Akron’s Canal Park Friday morning at 10 am.
RELATED:
A look back in time…
1974 Lincolnview Baseball Team…the last Lancer team to make it to the State Final 4, losing to Middletown Fenwick 3-1.
The 1962 Linclonview Lancers won the 1962 Class A State Championship beating Conneaut Rowe3-1 in the semifinal game and Liberty Union 4-0 in the Class A Championship game.
The last time Valley played in the State Final four was in 1977, when they lost to Miller City 3-1 in the semifinal game.
1n 1975 Valley won the Class A State Championship beating Russia 5-0.
Stateline Sports Network 