AKRON, Ohio — The Mason High School baseball team will play for the program's first state championship Sunday afternoon in Akron.
Mason defeated Perrysburg 1-0 Friday night in a Division I state semifinal at Canal Park in Akron. The only run scored happened in the seventh inning, with senior Jake Hanley's RBI double knocking in senior Alex Koelling.
Hanley, an Indiana University signee, allowed just one hit on the mound with 11 strikeouts. He improved to 9-1 on the mound this season.
"I'm kind of at a loss for words right now," Hanley said. "I was sitting in my hotel room for probably six hours like frozen. To be out here and to be able to play through is nice. It happened. It's over. So we got two more days left. We worked our whole lives for this, so we're not done yet."
Intentionally walked earlier in the game, Hanley seized the opportunity with two out in the top of the seventh inning. That's when he drove a pitch over the right fielder's head to score Koelling.
"I didn't think I hit it that hard so I didn't expect it to go that far," Hanley said. "But it got over him. I couldn't hold it in anymore so I got to second and just let it all out."
Mason coach Curt Bly said Hanley, the Division I state player of the year, has been clutch throughout the postseason. Hanley isn't afraid of the big moments. In fact, he embraces those critical times during a game.
"I just think Jake Hanley is the player of the year for a reason," Bly said. "They did a great job of limiting his opportunities. It kind of fell into place where first base was open. He got one pitch to hit and he made the most of it.”
Mason earned its second state final appearance in program history. The program was the Class AA state runner-up in 1987.
Friday's win represents a great deal to the program. Its significance is palpable among the players, coaches and Mason fans. Bly addressed the team on the Canal Park concourse level after the game. There will be practice Saturday and an opportunity of a lifetime Sunday.
"It's everything you work for as players, as coaches," Bly said. "We just talked about this is our 88th season in Mason baseball. We’re going to stand on the shoulders of all those guys Sunday. We’re going to go out there and put our best effort together.”
The Comets (27-6), ranked No. 7 in the state coaches’ poll, are ranked No. 16 nationally by MaxPreps.
Mason, winners of six consecutive games, is making its fourth state tournament appearance. They were state semifinalists in 2022 and 2018.
The Comets (27-6) play unranked Twinsburg (24-5) in the Division I state final at 1 p.m. Sunday in Akron.
"We're here and all those late hours back in November and December are paying off right now," Hanley said. "We've got the chance of our lifetime."
The Cincinnati area will try to win two state baseball titles on Sunday. Badin (26-7) plays West Branch (26-6) in the Division II state final at 10 a.m. Badin has won eight consecutive games and has shut out six opponents during this postseason.
