The home standing Point Pleasant Black Knights scored eight runs in the final two innings to claim their fourth Region One Championship, beating Magnolia 11-3 May 26 and advancing to the state championship.

Magnolia scored the game’s first run in the first inning when Seth Pay beat out an infield hit, stole second, went to third on a fly out, and scored on a Point Pleasant wild pitch.

In the bottom half of the first, the Black Knights lead-off batter walked and moved to third on a single, then scored on a pass ball. After Magnolia starter Chuckie McElaney struck out the next batter, the momentum of the game would soon drastically change.

With a Point runner on third base, Blue Eagle second baseman Mason Rine caught a fly ball, but no umpire make a call on the play. Rine would then throw to first base for the sure out and the runner at third came home.

That’s when first baseman Landon Herrick tossed the ball to third on an appeal that Point’s runner left too soon. However, the third base umpire ruled that Rine’s catch was a trap and the Point run stood.

After the play, Magnolia Head Coach Dave Cisar went to protest the play, but to no avail. Instead of being out of the inning, McElaney would give up a home run and the Blacks would take a 3-1 lead.

Both teams wouldn’t add any more runs until the third inning when the Eagles’ Kyle Elliott opened the frame with a single. The next two batters flew out, but designated hitter Jordan Moore singled and McElaney scored Elliott on a hard rap to right field. Davey Howell walked to load the bases for the second straight inning, but wouldn’t add any more runs and the inning ended with Magnolia down 3-2.

In the home half of the fifth and sixth, Point Pleasant tallied four runs in both frames that were keyed by four home runs.

Elliott led off the seventh with a solo home run over the left field fence. Justin Fox drilled a single, but was erased at second on a liner that Rine hammered for a fielder’s choice. Another solid rocket by Moore ended up in the glove of the Blacks’ shortstop for another fielder’s choice. McElaney struck out to end the game.

The Eagles left 10 runners on base, including seven in scoring position. They also twice left the bases loaded and once left runners at second and third with one out, but couldn’t pull the trigger.

McElaney took the loss from the mound. He struck out three and walked three. Elliott pitched one inning and struck out one, while Rine finished the game, striking out one and walking one. Magnolia freshmen Elliott and McElaney combined for five hits, including a homer by Elliott. Elliott also scored two of the three Magnolia runs. Fox added a double and a single, while Pay contributed a single and a run.

“Even though the game ended on a sour note, the game was closer than the final score indicated,” said Cisar.

“We had a great year. What great, great seniors we had in Davey Howell, Seth Pay, Landon Herrick, and Mason Rine. They where all class acts and terrific kids and I wish them well in their endeavors. It’s a shame we had to end the season, but I’ll take a 22-6 record any season.”

Cisar went on to add, “Magnolia has had a great, great season in many sports during the year. The football team went undefeated and the school won OVAC Championships and Sectional titles. It’s been a blast.

“All I can add is we left everything on the field and on the courts in every sport and it’s a testament to our kids at Magnolia.”