The Chardon Hilltoppers have won a district championship for the first time since 2012, winning its first three Div. II baseball games against Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (5-0), Geneva (4-2) and Gilmour (1-0).
The baseball team is now one of 16 Div. II teams left in the state of Ohio.
Only Chardon cross country teams and wrestling have won another district championship, according to the banners that hang in the gymnasium.
“It was huge for the kids,” said head coach Brian Long. “It was huge for the school.”
Chardon played a regular season game against Massillon-Jackson on Monday to keep the players fresh.
The 1-run win against Gilmour was highlighted by a Grant Goodge single in the bottom of the sixth inning that scored Luke Callahan. Despite just three total hits, the Hilltoppers committed just one error behind starting pitcher Myles Metz, who allowed just five hits himself in the win.
Goodge’s single came with two outs and an 0-2 count.
“I mean he’s been incredible all year,” Long said. “That’s the stuff you dream about when you’re a kid in the backyard in the batting cages.”
Known all season for an explosive offense, Chardon, 17-6 in the regular season, averaged nine runs a game before pitching and defense became the team’s strength in the tournament.
“I’m a believer that pitching and defense will win playoff games,” Long said. “The teams are only going to get better. But you have to rely on our guys to make plays. We always know we can score.”
Chardon played Canfield (19-7) at 2 p.m. in Hudson on Thursday in a game played after deadline. Revere (13-14) and Tallmadge (16-11) were the other two teams in the regional.
Long said Canfield is a team that does the little things with good pitching and great defense.
Chardon senior Dakota Baldwin is the expected starter.