Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WELLSTON — Casey McComas didn’t want this to be his final high school baseball game.
The Chesapeake senior pitched five strong innings of relieve, got two hits and drove in three runs as the Panthers beat the Wellston Golden Rockets 7-3 in the Division III sectional tournament on Wednesday.
McComas struck out four, walked one batter intentionally and allowed just two hits in getting the win.
“Casey did a fantastic job and Asutin Browning played a great centerfield when Casey went to pitch,” said Panthers’ coach Justin Davis.
“We played well. We got a win on the road in the tournament. That’s a good win for our kids.”
Chesapeake (11-12) will play at South Point at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the sectional finals.
The Panthers jumped in front 3-0 in the first inning.
McComas reached on an error, Evan Burcham sacrifice him to second, and Dalton Nida squeezed home McComas and reached safely. Zach Wright then unloaded a two-run homer.
The Panthers got two more runs in the second inning to lead 5-0.
Bryce Depriest and Wes Malavenda singled, Kelton Jones hit into a fielder’s choice and then McComas singled home two runs.
Wellston got all three of its runs in the third.
Connor Bates singled, Michael Graham was hit by a pitch and Nick Cox hit into a force play. Cox stole and Zachary Dress was walked intentionally but Chase Wicker doubled to clear the bases.
But the Panthers added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh as Malavenda, Jones and McComas all singled for a run and Burcham bunted for a hit to score a run.
Malavenda was 3-3 as the Panthers had 11 hits. McComas was 2-4 and Wright 2-3.
Chesapeake    320    000    2    =    7    11    1
Wellston    003    000    0    =    3    5    1
Bryce Depriest, Casey McComas (3) and Dalton Nida. Michael Graham and Connor Bates. W-McComas (IP-5.0, H-2, K-4, BB-1). L-Graham (K-3, BB-1). Hitting-Chesy: Casey McComas 2-4 3-RBI, Evan Burcham 1-3 RBI, Zach Wright 2-3 2-RBI, Austin Browning 1-4, Bryce Depriest 1-1 Wes Malavenda 3-3, Kelton Jones 1-3; Wellston: Hunter Whalen 2-3, Connor Bates 1-4, Michael Graham 1-2, Chase Wicker 1-3 2B 3-RBI.