Xavier Philpot Does It All to Send Russia Back to Title Game

Photo by Al Kornspan

They say that one player cannot win or lose a game alone. Thursday afternoon in Akron, Russia’s Xavier Philpot put that theory to the test as he pitched a complete game shutout and drove in the game’s only run to give the Raiders (26-6) a 1-0 extra innings victory over St. Henry (24-7) and send the Raiders back to the Division IV Championship.

Both Pitchers Dominate

As was the theme Thursday at Canal Park, fans were treated to a real pitcher’s duel. Though both sides would have runners reach base, neither offense could break through. After seven innings of play, neither pitcher had cracked. Devin Delzeith only allowed two hits and a walk for the Redskins, while Philpot allowed just three hits and two walks (one HBP). With things still tied at 0-0 it was time for extra innings. 

Raiders Walk Off In Extra Innings

After already throwing a full regulation game, Philpot stayed sharp in the eighth. After getting two fly outs to start the inning, Logan Link hit a single down the left field line to give St. Henry life. Facing Bryce Brookhart, who singled in the first, Philpot got a groundout to the shortstop to keep it tied up heading to the bottom of the eighth.

Held without a hit thus far in the game, Jude Counts beat out a bunt single to lead off the inning. Delzeith got the next two batters to strikeout, though Counts advanced to second on a wild pitch, setting the stage for Xavier Philpot. With Raiders fans on their feet, Philpot hit a single to right and Counts hustled home from second to score the game winning run, sending Russia to their second straight title game with a 1-0 win.

Championship Game Set

After winning last year’s Division IV Championship, the Raiders are heading back to the finals, where they will play for the third title in school history. Awaiting them are the Berlin Hiland Hawks (29-1), the top ranked team in Division IV, who advanced with a 4-1 extra innings win over Tiffin Calvert. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 pm Saturday afternoon at Canal Park in Akron.

 

Top Performers

 

St. Henry

Devin Delzeith: 7.2 IP 4 H 1 BB 5 K 1 ER     1-3

Logan Link: 2-3 BB

Bryce Brookhart: 1-4

 

Russia

Xavier Philpot: 8 IP 4 H 1 BB 5 K 0 ER     1-3 RBI

Jude Counts: 1-2 BB R

Zane Shappie: 1-3

Braylon Cordonnier: 1-3

 

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	R	H	E
St. Henry	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
Russia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	1

Full Box Score: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=467454&_gl=1*lvcgo1*_ga*MjEzODU3MzQ4Ny4xNjg2MjQyMTM3*_ga_2ZWVK1X7BJ*MTY4NjI1Mzg5Ny4yLjEuMTY4NjI2NjQ4NC4wLjAuMA 

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