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2026 OHSAA Tournament: Division II State Semifinal - #6 New Albany vs #27 Harrison

CANTON - It has been unfinished business for New Albany after losing in the state semifinals a year ago, but the Eagles are now one win away from a state championship after knocking off Harrison 4-1 in the Division II semis on Friday.

Bryson Gittins fired a five-hitter for New Albany, which lost to Amherst Steele 3-2 in the FInal Four in 2025.

The No. 6 team in the state scored all their runs in the first three innings en route to the state finals. Caden Kistner and Remy Trautner had hits in the first inning, with Carson Skinner drawing a bases-loaded free pass in the frame. Justin Speert hit a double and scored on a Kistner sac fly in the second and Mason Ackerman, Skinner, Connor Bahr and Speert had bases knocks in the two-run third. 

Tucker Ward walked, stole two bases and came home on a sacrifice fly by Mitchell Mercurio in the fifth for the lone Harrison run.

HOT TAKES

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Gittins threw 67 of 92 pitches for strikes, fanning eight and walking two in his five-hit victory for the Eagles to finish the season with a 10-0 record.

WHAT'S NEXT?: Six regulars will return for Harrison next year, including Stigler, the hottest hitter in the tournament for head coach Ben Toerner, w s 63-36 in his four seasons as head coach of the Wildcats. The two pitchers that threw at state have graduated but four others are back in hopes of making a return to the Final Four in 2025. 

LINESCORE

Harrison         000  010 0  -  1  5  0
New Albany   112  000  x  -  4  9  0

Records: New Albany 25-7, Harrison 14-11.

Winning Pitcher: Bryson Gittins (7 innings, 1 run, 5 hits, 8 strikeouts, 2 walks).

Losing Pitcher: Xander Loos (2.1 innings, 4 runs, 7 hits, 0 strikeouts, 3 walks). Other: Preston Flick.

Leading Hitters: (Harrison) - Miitchell Mercurio single, RBI; Ryan Stigler single; Cameron Enniking single; Tucker Ward 2 singles, run. (New Albany) - Caden Kistner single, run, RBI; Remy Trautner single; Jate Hoovler single; Mason Ackerman 2 singles, run; Connor Bahr single; Carson Skinner single, run, RBI; Connor Bahr single; Van Routhier RBI; Justin Speert single, double, run, RBI.

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