For the second straight season, Hiland sophomore first baseman Grady Monigold found himself at bat with his team trailing in the state tournament, and for the second time, the left-handed hitter delivered, launching a rocket shot just beyond the outstretched glove of Fort Recovery right fielder Reece Evers.
The two-base hit scored Colin Coblentz, who led off the top of the sixth inning with a single to center, and Kaden Kandel, who walked, to give the Hawks their first lead of the night.
Relief pitcher Brady Yoder retired six of the next seven Indians, striking out three of them, and for the second straight season the Hiland Hawks left Akron as Division IV state champions with the 3-2 triumph. It’s Hiland’s third baseball title after winning last year as well.