Columbiana's baseball team is following its coach's lead.
Though the Clippers haven't made it to the State Tournament since 1981, this is Head Coach Scott Knox's second trip to Columbus. Knox, who clinched his 203rd career victory Friday night, played on the winning baseball team 29 years ago.
"This is unbelievable," Knox said. "The kids have really worked hard... we're taking it day-by-day."
Columbiana took an early lead in Friday's Division IV Regional Final, and dominated the entire game. The Clippers beat Cuyahoga Heights, 13-2, in six innings at the Lorain Pipe Yard.
The Clippers started off strong in the top of the first with Josh Saverko's RBI single. Then Hank Schlueter managed a bases-loaded three-run double, making the score 4-0.
Matt Douglas' RBI single finished off the inning, leaving the Clippers with a 5-0 advantage.
"Offense. The first inning helped a lot" Saverko said. "I think we can go all the way, for sure,"
Two innings later, the score was 5-1 when Jay Williamson hit a two run double to left field, making it 7-1.
Columbiana remained strong in the sixth inning when Tyler Denmeade's RBI single brought the score to 8-2. The Clippers scored two more runs on an error by Cuyahoga Heights.
It was Jeff Davidson's three-run home run to left field that ended the game, 13-2 in the sixth inning.
"It was a 2-1 count," Davidson said. "I was was waiting on a fastball. Got one right down the middle."
Saverko pitched a complete game and only allowed two runs. The Clippers improved to 20-10. This was only the third appearance Columbiana has made in the Regional Tournament and it will be the second time the Clippers have made it to State.
The team will travel to Columbus to take on the winner of Newark Catholic-Racine Southern. The game is slated for 1 p.m. Thursday at Huntington Park.
