By John Raby
CHARLESTON — Jason Lewis pitched a five-hitter to send Buffalo into the Class A championship game for the second time in three seasons with a 2-0 win over Notre Dame.
The sophomore improved to 9-2, struck out 15 and walked three in the tournament opener Thursday at Appalachian Power Park.
Buffalo’s Adam Scott stole home in the fourth inning and his sacrifice bunt in the sixth drove in the other run for Buffalo (23-11).
In the Notre Dame sixth, Buffalo catcher Christopher Belcher tagged out Chris Stanton trying to score on a double steal attempt. Adam Funk, who reached base on an infield single, stole second and third, but Patrick Plivelich struck out to end the threat.
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Wheeling Central 7, Charleston Catholic 2
Wheeling Central pitcher Jack Weishar remains unbeaten in the Class A baseball tournament and the defending champion Maroon Knights have another chance at a state championship.
Weishar scattered four hits and Zeke Taylor drove in two runs in a 7-2 victory against Charleston Catholic in the semifinals Thursday night.
Wheeling Central (18-13) will play for its fifth title since 1999 on Saturday against Buffalo (23-11), which beat Notre Dame 2-0 in the other semifinal.
Weishar, who won both of his team’s tournament games a year ago as a freshman, struck out five and walked one.
Wheeling Central took command with two runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth.
Charleston Catholic (18-19) lost in the semifinals for the fourth straight year.
