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Columbiana clips McDonald
By chuck housteau
Struthers
When his team was down, Columbiana baseball coach Scott Knox turned to junior Jeff Davidson.
Davidson responded in a big way to help the Clippers erase a 4-2 deficit in the third inning and roll to a 9-4 victory over McDonald in a Division IV district semi-final game at Cene Park.
Davidson pitched four innings of relief, and hit a bases-clearing double in the fifth inning that scored three runners and put the Clippers out in front for good.
The win was Knox’s 200th high school win and propelled the Clippers (18-10) to the district championship game today at 6:30 against Mathews.
“The [200] wins are nice but I don’t want to take anything away from this game today,” said Knox. “It just means that I’ve had the chance to coach many great players over the years.”
Davidson (5-0) came into the contest from his second base position after McDonald’s potent offensive lineup got to Columbiana starter Hank Sleuter for four runs in the third inning to put the Devils ahead 4-2.
Davidson started the fourth inning and allowed only three hits the rest of the way. The Devils never really threatened at any point in the final four innings.
“Davidson came in there in the fourth and kind of stabilized the damage,” said Knox. “Our defense did a great job of catching the ball behind him and that gave our bats the chance to come alive.
“Of course, Davidson got the big hit down the [leftfield] line to put us ahead.”
Columbiana started the fifth inning with Andrew Burdick leading off with a single.
After McDonald’s ace hurler, Anthony Rashilla (7-1), got the next two batters out, Josh Saverko singled to right and Sleuter walked to load the bases.
Davidson jumped on the first pitch he liked and belted it to the fence in left to score all three runners. Davidson came around to score when, while advancing to third on a wild pitch, McDonald’s catcher threw the ball into left field and Davidson raced home.
The Clippers tacked on three more runs in the sixth against Rashilla and reliever Zach Puntel.
Rashilla walked two batters with two outs and Puntel gave up back-to-back singles that allowed three runs to score.
Saverko had three hits and three RBI for Columbiana, while Burdick added two hits.
McDonald (18-4) bowed out of play despite an outstanding season.
Rashilla has been one of the area’s best players all year and he had two hits, including a triple and an RBI to lead the McDonald offense.
Rashilla was able to keep the Clippers in check throughout the first four innings with a dominating fastball and off-speed pitches before Columbiana unleashed its rally.
Mike Rashilla and Puntel also had two hits to lead the Blue Devils.