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2026 OHSAA Tournament: Division I State Semifinal - #4 Archbishop Moeller vs #10 Perrysburg

AKRON - Moeller has a chance to be the second team in OHSAA history to capture 10 state titles. The Crusaders earned that opportunity with an 8-6 victory over a determined Perrysburg squad in the Division I semifinals on Thursday.

Matt Ponatoski scattered two hits over the first 5.1 innings, allowing three runs before two relievers eventually closed it out for the fourth-ranked team in the state. The senior two-sport commit to Kentucky got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth with a big strikeout.

Moeller led 6-1, scoring two runs in each of the first, fourth and fifth innings, and appeared to have the game in hand. But the never-say-die Yellow Jackets did not go down without a fight, scoring four in the top of the sixth featuring RBI singles from Lucas Graham, Ben Miller and Mason Kessinger.

The Crusaders countered with two in the bottom of the frame on a double from Reggie Watson and singles by Adam Maybury, Ponatoski and Donovan Glosser. 

Once again, Perrysburg battled back with a walk to Brayden Heitmeyer and an Asher Lattimore single to open the seventh, but a double-play grounder  and a ground out brought an end to the season for the Northern Lakes League champions, which had not lost a game since April in having a 19-game winning streak come to an end. 

Andrew Charpie hit a triple in the third and scored the first run for Perrysburg, which has lost in the state semifinals three years in a row.

Moeller had 11 hits, seven stolen bases and walked six times in reaching the state title game for the second time in a decade. The Crusaders won state in 2023, their last appearance in Akron.

Elder has won the most state crowns in OHSAA history with 12, while Moeller is currently tied with Newark Catholic for second most with each claiming nine championships.

HOT TAKES

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Waters was impressive to say the least. The second-rated junior shortstop in Ohio had two singles and a double, scoring three runs and stealing three bases. Not enogh? The Louisville commit shined in the field, making a nice jumping grab and tag for an out on a steal attempt in the second, while also helping turn a pair of double plays.

WHAT'S NEXT?: After three state appearances in a row, the Yellow Jackets will be rebuilding a little bit with just one non-senior in the starting lineup this year, that being junior right fielder Kessinger. Dave Hall has won 786 games in his career, so never count out Perrysburg with the veteran head coach in charge.

LINESCORE

Perrysburg     001  004  1  -  6    6  0
Moeller           200  222  x  -  8  11  1

Records: Moeller 25-6, Perrysburg 25-7.

Winning Pitcher: Matt Ponatoski (5.1 innings, 3 runs, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, 6 walks). Others: Seth Maybury, Jake Gaerke.

Losing Pitcher: Tyler Palmer (4 innings, 4 runs, 6 hits, 3 strikeouts, 2 walks). Others: Andrew Charpie, Preston Faris.

Leading Hitters: (Perrysburg) - Brayden Heitmeyer two runs; Asher lattimore single; Tyler Palmer run; Lucas Graham 2 singles, run, RBI; Ben Miller single, run, RBI; Andrew Charpie triple, run; Mason Kessinger single, RBI. (Moeller) - Reggie Watson 3 singles, 3 runs; Adam Maybury single 2 runs; Conner Cuozzo run, RBI; Matt Ponatoski 2 singles, 3 RBI; Donovan Glosser 3 singles; Teagan Cumberland RBI; Ricky Maschinot run; Connor Maupin single;, run Zac Wittenauer single, 2 RBIs.

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