Indians defeat Eagles for sectional crown

The Cambridge City Lincoln Golden Eagles, the only Wayne County school to advance to the sectional championship game in baseball, saw their season end on Monday, May 27. The Indians, ranked sixth in the 1A state poll, lived up to their lofty ranking.

In a rematch of their regular season Tri-Eastern Conference game that Union City won 10 days prior, they again prevailed 11-2 to advance to the regional round of the state tournament. 

Senior Zackery Fulk pitched the complete game for the Indians, backed by a solid defense and a 12-hit offensive attack. 

The Indians scored a single run in the bottom of the first inning when Jayson Connor drew a lead-off walk, moved to second and third on consecutive ground outs, and scored on a double to center field from Owen Dowler. 

The Indians added to their lead in the second inning. The Indians used base hits from Corbin Richards and Brennan Hoggett, a sacrifice fly from Brayden Huggins, and four Lincoln errors to score four runs.  

The Eagles responded by scoring two runs in the top of the third inning. Jaren Troutwine and Carson Hawk opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Jack Patton followed with a walk to load the bases. One out later, Dustin Lunsford smacked a single to bring Gage Sherwood (running for Troutwine) and Hawk across the plate. 

The Eagles had baserunners in the fourth and sixth innings, but they were not able to score again. The Indians added five runs in the sixth inning and went on to win the game 11-2. 

Richards and Hoggett each collected three hits for Union City. Dowler and Trendon Spence each had two hits. Freshman shortstop Noah Patterson collected two hits for the Eagles.  

Fulk, who scattered five hits and struck out 11, was the winning pitcher, and Oliver Webb suffered the loss. 

The majority of the Eagle roster are underclassmen, but it was the last game in a Lincoln uniform for senior Jaren Troutwine.

Lincoln head coach Jeff Gwin reflected on the season after the game. “From our first game and after every game this season, we talked about playing in the sectional championship on Memorial Day,” Gwin said. “I am proud of these kids. They had never been in this position before this year; now they have. Our goal now will be to play on Memorial Day again next year and win.”

Lincoln (7-17)        0   0   2   0   0   0   0   2

Union City (15-6)   1   4   1   0   0   5  – 11 

Lincoln hits: Hawks, Patterson (2), Troutwine, Clayton Vickers. Union City hits: Luke Collins, Dowler (2), Hoggett (3), Caleb Lutz, Richards (3), Spence (2).