The Olentangy Braves scored twice in the first inning and their pitchers made the runs hold up as the Braves topped Springboro, 2-1, Sunday at Canal Park in Akron to win their first baseball state title in the school’s history.

Dominic Pirrone and Luke Chilicki each had two-out RBI singles in the first inning to open the scoring. Starting pitcher Cameron Birch, a Marietta College commit, earned the win. He went five innings and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven. The Panthers scored their run in the third inning.

Closer Cooper Tracy tossed the final two innings, without giving up a hit and striking out four, to pick up the save. Springboro starter Dylan Brabston was charged with the loss, giving up the Braves’ two runs in 2.2 innings of work.

The Braves made it to the state tournament in 2006, but Sunday’s title win was their first. The only other program in the Olentangy school district to win a baseball crown was Liberty in 2018. Both Orange and Berlin have made it to the state tourney previously. 

Olentangy, led by head coach Ryan Lucas, finish the season with a record of 24-7-1. They beat Grove City, 4-2, in the regional final to advance to the state tournament. In the state semi-final, the Braves topped Lakota West, 3-1.