Everyone in attendance at Wednesday's Sectional Final between CVCA and Benedictine was treated to a terrific high school baseball game. The #5 seeded Royals earned an thrilling 9-7 win over #4 seeded Bengals. CVCA scored 3 times in the top of the 7th to earn the win. It was a hard fought battle between two good teams. The Royals offense led the charge with 18 hits and 9 runs, none bigger than the 3 in the final inning. With the win, CVCA advances to the District Tournament next week. They will face #8 seed Revere on Tuesday, May 15th at 5:00pm at Euclid High School.

CVCA was able to score first with a run in the top half of the first inning. After a leadoff single by Josh Junko, Josh Thacker put down a good sacrifice bunt to get Junko into scoring position. Drew Wilson followed with a single to left. Wilson promptly stole 2nd and Junko came in to score when the throw got away from the middle infielders.

The Royals added their 2nd run in the top of the second inning. Alex Jacob led off with a walk and Matt Groggs followed with a double to deep right center. Matt Henning put down a great bunt that not only scored Jacob from third, but also turned into a single. CVCA took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the 2nd. Benedictine answered with 2 runs of their own in the second inning to tie the score. 

Both teams failed to score in the 3rd inning. Benedictine took a 3-2 lead in the 4th inning after getting a few free base runners. Drew Wilson pitched out of the jam and allowed just 1 run. 

In the top of the 5th innning, the Royals regained the lead with 2 runs. A Josh Thacker single and Drew Wilson double to start the inning put the Royals in position for a big inning. After a fielder's choice, Lance Rybka singled to load the bases. Alex Jacob walked again and force the tying run across the plate. Matt Groggs followed with fielder's choice to short which scored Christian Isaacs. The Royals now led 4-3. 

After Benedictine tied the score in the 5th inning, the CVCA offense returned to work. The Royals jumped out to a 6-4 lead with 2 runs in the 6th inning. Josh Junko, Josh Thacker, and Drew Wilson all singled with 1 out to load the bases. Christian Isaacs hit a sacrifice fly to score the first run and Lance Rybka followed with a double to drive in the second. 

The Bengals answered with a 3 run rally of their own in the bottom half of the 6th inning. The left the Royals down 7-6 entering the final inning, but they were determine to win. Taylor Sobiech got things started with a 1 out single in the top of the 7th inning. The Royals were down to their final out, but had the heart of the order coming up. Josh Thacker ripped a single to center to extend the game. Drew Wilson followed with a 2 run triple to right field and the Royals moved back in front 8-7. Christian Isaacs crushed a double to left field to add an insurance run for the Royals. 

Matt Henning, who entered the game in the middle of a jam in the 6th inning, came back for the final 3 outs. He struck out the final 2 batters in the 6th and stranded the bases load. He continued his great performance by retiring 3 of 4 batters in the 7th inning to record the win.

Matt Henning 2-4, RBI, SB, 1.2 IP, W, 2 Ks
Drew Wilson 5-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB, 5 IP, 1 ER, 9 Ks
Josh Thacker 3-4, 2 R
Josh Junko 2-5, 2 R
Lance Rybka 2-5, 2B, RBI
Taylor Sobiech 2-4, 2B, R
Christian Isaacs 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Alex Jacob 3 BB, R, RBI
Matt Groggs 1-4, 2B, RBI