TRI-COUNTY BASEBALL United beats Lisbon, clinches share of title

The Eagles posted a 5-3 win in a game that originally began on April 27.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HANOVERTON -- When the Lisbon and United High baseball teams started their much-awaited matchup, snow was in the air.
When they finished, it was 88 degrees.
In a game that began April 27 and finished Tuesday, United beat Lisbon 5-3 to clinch a share of the Tri-County League title.
United started Tuesday's action with a 2-0 lead, thanks to a pair of unearned runs. United added two runs in the fourth inning thanks in part to a Lisbon error and an RBI single from pitcher Travis Boyle (7-2).
The Eagles added a run on Rob Muhleman's double, which scored Boyle. Muhleman also had an RBI in the fourth and scored in the third.
Both lost in tournament
Both teams entered the game somewhat unhappy as each lost on Monday in sectional championship games.
"We were down," Lisbon captain Jacob Wycoff said. "But we knew we could play with them."
Lisbon rallied in the seventh as Wycoff doubled with one out and Travis Jackson walked.
Trevor McMillian singled home Wycoff and Frank Gallo followed with a sacrifice fly.
Down to their last out, Brian Bangor worked Boyle for a walk and Aaron Rudibaugh singled to make it 5-3. Corey Smith then drilled a shot to shortstop Corey Manfull, who made a solid play to end the game.
"If you look at the book today," Wycoff said, "it's 3-3. But it's tough coming back against a good team."
Play Columbiana Thursday
United (21-4, 12-1) can win the title outright by beating state-ranked Columbiana on Thursday. Also that day, Lisbon (16-6, 11-2) finishes its TCL's schedule against East Palestine.
"Right now we've got to pull for Columbiana and beat East Palestine," Wycoff said. "It'll be the last game for us seniors so we'll go all out."
Boyle (7-2) got the win for United.
"After yesterday, this makes us feel a lot better," United coach Rick Mulinix said. "We've got seven seniors that wanted this championship and now they've got two of them in a row.
"We know Columbiana is playing well though so we have to go out just like we did today on Thursday."