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2026 OHSAA Tournament: Division I State Semifinal - #3 St. Xavier vs #2 Olentangy Orange

AKRON - Dominic Dials belted two home runs and Jack Ryan tossed a three-hitter to help St. Xavier knock off Olentangy Orange in the Division I semifinals on Thursday evening, setting up a fourth meeting of the season with Greater Catholic League rival Moeller.

Dials had not hit a home run all year before tying the state record for home runs in a state game, the last being Landon Wolfe of Amherst Steele a year ago. The left-handed hitting sophomore third baseman belted a long ball to lead off the third putting St. Xavier on top 1-0, then an inning later lined a two-out two-run blast to right making it 3-0.

Dillon Brus capped the four-run fourth for the Bombers with his third hit of the game and second triple, plating Cameron Shaefer and Samuel Sprengared who had both walked.

It was more than enough for Ryan, a Boston College commit who went the distance to blank an Olentangy Orange squad that had not been shut out all season.

State champions in 2003, St.. Xavier will take on a Moeller team it has defeated two out of three matchups this season. The game is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m.

HOT TAKES

CO-PLAYERS OF THE GAME: Anybody with two home runs in a game deserves recognition, hence Dominic Dials being honored. But it was Ryan who helped steal the show with a three-hit shutout. The senior southpaw allowed three hits and just one walk while fanning eight. Ryan retired the final nine batters and did not give up a hit after the third inning.

WHAT'S NEXT?: If pitching comes around, Orange could do some damage next season. Five starters are back for the Pioneers, led by junior right fielder Jake Luling and sophomore cacher Colby Luling along with junior first baseman Maverick Scholvin. With 360 career coaching wins, including 160 with Orange, Tom Marker will have his squad ready for the 2027 season.

LINESCORE

Olentangy Orange 000  000 0  -  0  3  0
St. Xavier                001  400  x  -  5  6  0

Records: St. Xavier 26-5, Olentangy Orange 24-6.

Winning Pitcher: Jack Ryan (7 innings, 0 runs, 3 hits, 8 strikeouts, 1 walk).

Losing Pitcher: Reid Hemrick (4 innings, 5 runs, 5 hits, 3 strikeouts, 4 walks). Other: Mason Poulter.

Leading Hitters: (Olentangy Orange) - Jake Luling double; Jackson Hoy single; Zane Konczak single. (St. Xavier) - Dillon Brus single, 2 triples, 2 RBIs; Logan Von Holle run; Dominic Dials 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Cameron Schaefer run; Cullen O'Brien single; Samuel Sprengared run.

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