By Fred Kroner
Parker Fitch was the winning pitcher in both games as top-seeded Prairieview Ogden defeated two foes to win an IESA Class 1A baseball regional.
Fitch and Coy Hayes combined to throw a perfect game on Saturday (Sept. 18) in a semifinal game at home, a 16-0 three-inning win over Next Generation.
Fitch struck out five of the six batters he faced in two innings. It was his fourth consecutive start without allowing a run. Hayes fanned the side in the final inning.
Kodey McKinney and Vance McComas each swatted three hits. McComas scored three runs and McKinney ripped two triples.
Fitch, Dalton York, Lane McKinney and Royce Loschen all finished with two hits.
PVO took control with a seven-run first inning.
McComas, York, Lane McKinney and Graham Ray wound up driving in two runs apiece.
On Monday (Sept. 21), Fitch pitched 5 2/3 innings in a 4-1 regional championship-game victory over Schlarman Academy.
He scattered three hits and struck out 12.
Hayes worked the last 1 1/3 innings and didn’t permit a hit.
Kodey McKinney produced two of the Mustangs’ six hits. Hayes stole two bases and tallied two runs.
The Mustangs scored the runs they needed during a three-run fifth inning.
PVO (16-3) returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 25) in a sectional championship game against Gifford (14-4) at Champaign St. Matthew.
PVO has won 12 of its last 13 games, one of which was a shutout over Gifford.
The Saturday winner secures a berth in the state tournament, which starts on Oct. 1 in Peoria.
