Rahrig's one-hitter paces Delphos Jefferson

HUBER HEIGHTS - One hit.

That was what Delphos Jefferson pitcher Mike Rahrig allowed as the Wildcats punched their ticket to the Division IV regional championship, making short work of Sidney Lehman Catholic 10-0 in five innings.

Delphos Jefferson (19-6) will face Fort Loramie at 2 p.m. today at Huber Heights Wayne High School. Fort Loramie overcame a 7-1 deficit to defeat Franklin Monroe 17-7.

Rahrig was not overpowering, but was kept the Cavaliers (20-7) offbalance.

"I was really on (Thursday)," Rahrig said. "I was not throwing my hardest. My arm was a little sore, but my curve ball was the big thing and I was able to go offspeed."

Rahrig pitched five innings, allowed one hit, struck out five and faced just 16 batters.

"(Offense), coupled with the pitching of Michael Rahrig (was the key)" Delphos Jefferson coach Troy Montenery said. "He was lights out and he was getting all of the offensive support he could handle and we were playing nice defense."

The Wildcats got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Josh Miller singled and Adam Kraning and Aaron Schuerman each walked to load the bases. Matt Gerdeman's single plated two Wildcats. Damon Joseph's single scored Schuerman and Gerdeman to give Delphos Jefferson a 4-0 lead.

"Our hitting has been the key to this tournament run," Montenery said. "We were clicking on all cylinders."

The Wildcats chased Cavalier pitcher Spencer Peltier in the fourth inning with three more runs. Damon Joseph reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a Chris Wilkin RBI single. Lead-off hitter Cory Bastian reached on a walk and later scored on Miller's two-run single.

Miller went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored

"Every game in the tournament we have pounced on every team and it gets us rolling," Rahrig said.

Damon Joseph ended the game with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Joseph finished the game 2-for-3 with four RBIs.