The Walsh Jesuit baseball team turned a tightly contested semifinal into a memorable saga on Tuesday night, edging Hoover 4‑2 in a ten‑inning battle that left the crowd at Canton’s historic field buzzing.
What made the win even more extraordinary was the performance of senior right‑hander Colin Locigno, who threw a no‑hitter that included five walks, three hit‑batters and a career‑high 15 strikeouts, while also delivering the game‑changing inside‑the‑park home run that swung momentum in Walsh’s favor.
Looking Ahead to the State Final
Manager Joe Bowers, after the final out, praised the team’s composure under pressure, noting that execution and defense were the pillars of their success, and he hinted at the strategic adjustments that will be needed against a formidable New Albany squad.
The Crusaders now turn their attention to the state final, scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight in Akron, where they will meet New Albany, the 2021 champions who fell in last year’s semifinals. Both clubs bring star‑studded lineups, with Walsh’s key contributors Matthew Mansbery, Carlos Smith and Ryan Batley poised to face off against New Albany’s Mason Ackermann, Carson Skinner and Remy Trautner.
Fans and alumni alike are already marking their calendars, knowing that a victory would finally restore the program’s championship pedigree, a goal that has eluded the team since their last title in 2008.