The 2026 OHSAA Division III state baseball final unfolded on a crisp Saturday afternoon in Akron, Ohio, where Hamilton Badin faced off against Bishop Watterson in a clash of two storied programs.
A Fast Start
Badin exploded for three runs in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on timely RBI singles from Chandler Taylor, Austin Vangen and Vince Laugle that put the Rams ahead early.
Watterson answered with a double by Michael Wozniak and a triple from Michael Mulligan, driving in two runs to narrow the gap before the Rams settled into a 3-0 lead.
Mid‑Game Adjustments
The fifth inning saw Watterson close to within 3-2 as Caden Mangini crossed the plate, but Badin answered with three more runs in the bottom half, highlighted by Colt Emerson’s RBI double that stretched the lead to 6-2.
Closing the Game
Badin capped the scoring in the sixth inning when Keegan Sawyer’s sacrifice fly brought home an insurance run, sealing a 7-2 victory.
Pitching Duel
Starter Brooks Treadway earned the win for Badin, limiting Watterson to six hits while delivering solid support from the bullpen, whereas Watterson’s Max Steinbrunner took the loss after allowing three runs and four hits.
The Rams’ pitching staff kept Watterson’s offense in check throughout, with relievers preserving the lead and finishing the game without further damage.
Historical Significance
The win marked Badin’s third state championship, the first since 1996, while Watterson fell just short of its fourth title, a milestone that had eluded them since 1997.
Key contributors shone throughout the contest: Emerson finished with two hits and two runs scored, Vangen drove in two runs, and Mulligan paced Watterson with two hits despite the loss.