Waterford’s Corbin Stark dives safely into first base during Saturday’s district semifinals baseball game against Peebles at Ohio University. (Photo by Mike Morrison)

ATHENS, Ohio – It was as easy as 1-2-3 for the Waterford Wildcats Saturday night in the D-6, district semi-final against Peebles at Bob Wren Stadium on the campus of Ohio University.

The Wildcats scored one run in the second, two runs in the third and three more in the fourth to build a 6-0 lead and then went on to down the Indians 7-1 to punch their ticket to the district final.

Waterford excelled in every facet of the game as they collected 12 base hits, got an outstanding pitching effort from Corbin Stark and made just one harmless error in the field as they improved to 19-8 on the season.

“We prepped really well and knew what they were going to come with and our guys bought into the game plan and executed it,” said WHS head coach Chris Schmitt. “We did exactly what we needed to do.”

Stark went the distance allowing just five hits while surrendering only a solo run in the top of the sixth inning.

Waterford’s Hayden Jones (10) scores a run during Saturday’s district semifinals baseball game against Peebles at Ohio University. (Photo by Mike Morrison)

“I was mainly going after them with a good approach and got a lot of outs with my fastball,” said Stark, who walked just two and fanned six. “I could find the zone and they couldn’t find the ball so I just kept doing what I was doing.”

The Wildcat right-hander retired the first six hitters in order and after being held in check in the first inning, the Wildcats got on the board in the second.

With one out, second baseman Cole Mullenix singled and moved to third on a pair of wild pitches by Peebles starting pitcher Braylen Stephens.

Mullenix came into score on an RBI single by Wes Hennes to give WHS a 1-0 lead.

Waterford added two more in the third when with one out Hayden Jones singled, stole second and scored on a knock by shortstop Avery Pottmeyer.

Pottmeyer was balked to second base before coming home to score on a Braun Doak single to increase the lead to 3-0.

The Wildcats kept adding on in the top of the fourth as they sent eight batters to the plate to score three times and double their lead to 6-0.

Third baseman Caleb Wright got things started with a one-out single and he moved to second when Kam Johnson drew a base on balls.

Jones then doubled down the left field line to score Wright before Pottmeyer walked to load the bases.

Doak reached base when he grounded a ball on the Peebles infield but the throw to the plate to try to get Johnson was off the mark allowing another Wildcat run to cross the plate.

One out later Stark helped himself when he singled sharply up the middle to score Jones but Pottmeyer was thrown out at the plate by Stephens who had moved to center field after being relieved on the mound by Bo Johnson.

Stark was cruising along through the first four innings before getting out of a two-on, one-out jam in the top of the fifth.

Peebles mounted their best challenge of the game to try to get right back into it in the top of the sixth.

Stark walked both Crew Wilson and Nash Groomes to start the inning and Stephens followed with an RBI single.

Schmitt paid a visit to the mound to try and settle his starting pitcher down and whatever words he used sure did the trick as Stark retired the next three Peebles batters on a grand total of three pitches to bring an end to the inning with his team still in front by five runs.

“Corbin (Stark) has the mid-set of a pitcher and he went out there and executed our game plan to perfection,” said Schmitt. “He’s a tough guy out there and again today like he has all year he did his job.”

The Wildcats got that run right back in the bottom of the sixth as Doak tripled and scored on a bunt single by Stark.

Stark then sat the Indians down in order in the final frame to put things away and put the Wildcats in the district title tilt Tuesday against Tri Valley Conference long-time rival Reedsville Eastern.

The Wildcats were able to practice this week on the turf at Pioneer Park in Marietta and Schmitt felt that bit of time on turf helped his squad and specifically his first baseman Huffman, who was able to scoop several errant throws in the game.

Doak in center field also drew high praise from his head coach.

“Henry (Huffman) saved us at least three times at first base on short hops that he picked clean and Braun Doak made a couple of great plays in center field,” said Schmitt. “We are a good defensive team that can make some plays and we did that tonight.”

Among the Wildcats 12 base hits were two apiece by Jones, Pottmeyer, Doak, Stark and Mullenix.

“We came to play today…. We were hungry and had a good time,”said Doak. “All the boys were locked in and we kind of came together tonight, the rain held off and we got a win.”

The Wildcats will have a chance Tuesday to gain a measure of revenge over the Eagles, a team that got the best of them twice in the regular season.

“Playing a TVC rival for a district championship is pretty cool no doubt about it,” said Doak. “Our coaches are amped up, all 18 or 19 guys are too and we can’t wait for Tuesday.”

The opportunity to play for a district title is an exciting one for Schmitt and his squad.

“Eastern is a very well-coached team with a lot of really good players and we know what they have and they know what we have,” said Schmitt. “It’s going to be a great green and white battle on Tuesday.”

District Semifinal

WHS 012 301 x — 7 12 1

WP: Corbin Stark: 7IP, 5H, ER, 2BB, 6SO

LP: Braylen Stephens: 3.1 IP, 8H, 5ER, 2BB, 6SO

Bo Johnson 2.2 IP, 4H, 2R, ER, 3BB, SO.

Peebles (16-10) hitting: Connor Gross 2-3, Braylen Stephens 1-3, RBI, Caleb Johnson 1-3, Lukas Schmus 1-3.

Waterford (19-8) hitting: Hayden Jones 2-4, 2R, RBI, 2B, Avery Pottmeyer 2-3, R, RBI, Braun Doak 2-4, R, RBI, 3B, Corbin Stark 2-4, 2RBI, Cole Mullenix 2-3, R, Caleb Wright 1-3, R, Weston Henes 1-4, RBI.

Next Game: Tuesday, District Final at Bob Wren Stadium: Reedsville Eastern vs Waterford, 4 p.m.