CHARLESTON, W.Va. — East Hardy advanced to the Class A title game with a 11-1 six-inning rout of Gilmer County in Thursday’s semifinal at GoMart Ballpark.
The Cougars (13-15) advanced to the state title game for the first time since 2012 under legendary coach Raymond Snapp. Current East Hardy coach Tyler Mongold was a standout pitcher on that team.
The Cougars scored in four of the six innings and put up at least three runs in three of the four frames they scored in.
East Hardy’s four runs in the first came off two wild pitches, an error and a Mason Wilkins single.
Evan Hamilton tripled in the fourth for a run before Jordan Teets cleared the bases on a double in the fifth.
Hamilton was hit by a pitch in the sixth, stole second and was awarded third on an obstruction call before scoring on another wild pitch.
A two-run error added a pair of runs later in the sixth.
Braylon Mencer singled in the sixth for the Titans (20-9) lone run.
Teets earned the win in 5 1/3 innings of work, allowing one run on seven hits and four walks with a strikeout. Hamilton entered with the bases loaded in the sixth and struck out both batters he faced to strand all three Titans.
Hamilton led East Hardy going 2 for 3 with two triples and an RBI.
Catcher Dayton Dove threw out three runners for the Cougars.
Kolten Holbert took the loss for Gilmer County, allowing five runs off five hits and three walks with five strikeouts.
The Cougars advance to Saturday’s Class A championship game at 10 a.m. against top-seeded Madonna (27-4).
Madonna won the 2012 state title over East Hardy, winning 5-4.