17 Years in the Making, Heath Wins Baseball State Title

AKRON, OH

The team all set to go for this one. Back at Canal Park, and they got off to a hot start in the top of the first. The runner out at second, but not at the plate, as Connor Corbett opens the scoring for the Bulldogs! A little later on, adding to the lead, Corbett at the plate. But he’s going to pick up an RBI. That fly ball, plenty deep enough in center. The throw cut off and it’s not in time.

How about Wyatt Binckley scoring the second run of the game for Heath. The fans were absolutely loving it. Later on, Bulldogs just kept adding to it. Tanner Patterson, the bloop single into right, that scores another run and the Bulldogs are well on their way. But you know what helps? Some phenomenal pitching. Wyatt Binckley making them look silly.

He went the complete game on the mound for Heath. But what also helps is a little defense behind you. Check this out! All the way from the corner, Tanner Patterson the perfect throw on a hop. They got him. That’s going to end the rally from Lake. We go back to Binckley, putting them away in the sixth inning and the Bulldogs head to the seventh, up 3-1.

Last licks for Lake, the lineout to short, and folks, that does it! The Heath Bulldogs, for the third time in school history are baseball state champions, and they finally get their hands on the trophy that the school and community has waited, oh so long for. And if you ask them, the Bulldogs have a moment that they will soon not forget.

Hayden Woodward, First Baseman: “It means everything. Us guys, us seniors, we’re playing baseball here since we were three years old. I mean, we came through it all, thick and thin together. And when we came out at the highest we could and it feels amazing.”

Wyatt Binckley, Winning Pitcher: “Dream come true, 100%. We’ve been dreaming about this since we were kids and it doesn’t feel real at the moment.”

Tom Warren, Head Coach: “Anyone can win at any time and they put their minds to it and they were right. They proved themselves right. They bet on themselves and they made themselves right. But, you know, when you get up in a ball game, you know, typically the team that scores first wins like 90% of the games. So, you know, I felt pretty confident in our pitching. We had another guy ready that in our defense is good enough that we can make that three-run lead hold up.”