Russia rallies from 3-0 deficit to beat Newark Catholic in state baseball semifinals

With one out, Braylon Cordonnier grounded to second base. The second baseman dove and stopped the ball but threw wide of first. Monnin scored on the error to cut Newark Catholic’s lead to 3-1.

The next batter, Aiden Shappie, walked. Zane Shappie then doubled down the right-field line. Phlipot and Cordonnier scored on the hit, and Aiden scored on a throwing error by the second baseman. Russia took a 4-3 lead.

Russia starter Grant Saunders made that lead stand up. He retired the side in order in the last three innings.

Saunders allowed two earned runs on two hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Russia (24-6), making its first state appearance since 2017 when it lost 2-1 to Minster in the final and seeking its first championship since 1971 will play No. 3 Van Wert Lincolnview (24-6) in the state championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday. Lincolnview beat Tiffin Calvert 8-1 on Thursday.

Newark Catholic (24-7) ranked fourth in the state poll. It was playing in the final four for the 17th time and for the first time since 2016 when it beat Triad in the championship game.