Oakwood’s power surge overcomes 9-0, first-inning deficit

Oakwood players celebrate a third straight SWBL title following Wednesday’s 17-13 defeat of visiting Monroe. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Oakwood players celebrate a third straight SWBL title following Wednesday’s 17-13 defeat of visiting Monroe. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Oakwood unloaded an impressive barrage of home runs to overcome a 9-0 deficit and earn at least of share of the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division baseball title on Wednesday.

The host Lumberjacks trailed Monroe 9-0 in the first inning and appeared headed to a run-rule ending. Instead, the Lumberjacks unloaded three homers that fueled a 17-13 comeback win.

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It was the seventh straight win for Oakwood (14-8). The Lumberjacks finished 9-3 in the division. Monroe (10-4, 6-3) must win its remaining three league games to tie Oakwood for a divisional title. If the Hornets lose any of the three, the Lumberjacks are the outright league champs. It’s the third straight season Oakwood has won outright or shared a divisional SWBL title.

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Senior catcher Jake Kollars’ two dingers paced Oakwood’s long-ball comeback. Oakwood senior Alex Neff, who signed to play baseball for Wright State University, reportedly launched a tape-measure shot that landed near the pitcher’s mound on the adjoining softball diamond.

Oakwood took a 15-11 lead in the fourth inning on consecutive homers by Neff and Kollars.

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Alex Page, the reigning SWBL player of the year matched Kollars with two dingers for Monroe. Matt Green had another for the Hornets.

Oakwood is scheduled to host Alter at noon on Saturday and will played Chaminade Julienne at 5 p.m. Monday at the University of Dayton’s Time Warner Cable Stadium.

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Middletown Madison (18-2, 12-0) has already clinched an outright SWBL Buckeye Division title.

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