Baseball: Missed opportunities cost Watterson against Badin in DIII final
Saturday, June 13, 2026
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Michael Mulligan watches his swing result in a triple off the wall to drive in Watterson’s first run of the night against Hamilton Badin in a OHSAA DIII title match Friday in Akron. Photo: Kevin Rouch
In a one and done tournament situation, the team that cashes in on its chances is going to be the one hoisting the hardware at the end of the night.
The Watterson baseball team found itself in a position it wanted to be in on multiple occasions in the Division III state championship game on June 12 at 7 17 Credit Union Park in Akron. But it was Hamilton Badin that ended up making the plays in a 7-2 victory to capture their first state title in 30 years and third overall.
The Rams, a perennial power, had finished second seven times, including five since their last state crown in 1996.
In the only state final to feature the state’s top two teams in the final coaches’ poll, the top-ranked Rams scored three runs in the first inning to grab control and converted three double plays on defense throughout the rest of the night to keep it.
“All we were asking for was a good chance,” Eagles coach Jeff Boulware said. “We talked about it before the game – the team that takes advantage of their scoring opportunities is gonna win. And they did and we didn’t and that’s baseball, right?”
Michael Wozniak worked a full-count before sending the eighth pitch of his first at-bat in the opening inning off the top of the wall in right field to put second-ranked Watterson (27-4) in position.
Watterson catcher Ben Uhlenhake talks to pitcher Max Steinbrunner on the mound during the Eagles’ DIII championship tilt with Hamilton Badin at 7 17 Credit Union Park in Akron Friday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Michael Mulligan tripled off the base of the wall in right on the next pitch to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
“In the offseason this year – the lifting (sessions) in July – we talked about (7 17 Credit Union Park) … getting to Akron,” said Mulligan, a senior first baseman. “So, it was definitely on our minds the entire season. So, when we got here, we had everything we wanted – a huge game, big crowd (and a) great team. So, that (stage) meant the world and is what we lived for.”
After a Ben Uhlenhake walk put runners on the corners, Badin starter Brooks Treadway coaxed a popout and a flyout to escape further damage.
The Rams got a Chandler Taylor RBI double and RBI singles by Vince Laugle and Austin Vangen to grab a 3-1 lead.
Watterson’s Caiden Holcomb was hit by a pitch to open the fourth inning. He moved to second on a Connor Adkins Davidson sacrifice bunt. Holcomb tried advancing to third on Carter Baldwin’s flyout to left field, but Eli Wolpert’s perfect throw beat him for a double play.
After singles by Caden Mangini and Mulligan in the fifth inning, Uhlenhake drove in the Eagles’ second run of the night with a base hit.
Watterson’s Caden Mangini attempts to turn the double play as Hamilton Badin’s Vince Laugle slides into second. Badin topped the Eagles 7-2 in the OHSAA Division III championship game at 7 17 Credit Union Park in Akron Friday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Brady McAunch was hit by a pitch to load the bases for a possible big inning. But a Ben Burleson ball hit to shortstop Derek Ogden, who fed to Cade Cummins at second, who then turned it to Laugle at first for an inning-ending twin killing.
The Eagles had the first two runners on in the sixth inning when Holcomb walked and Adkins Davidson was hit by a pitch. This time, it was a 4-6-3 double play that ended the threat.
Eagles starter Max Steinbrunner pitched the first 3 1/3 innings and took the loss. Adkins Davidson tossed the final 2 2/3. Both gave up three earned runs.
“(Badin is) a really good team,” Boulware said. “But we’re a really good team. When it’s a one-and-done thing, you gotta take advantage of your opportunities and we really didn’t do that.”
Colt Emerson had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run. Treadway threw 4 1/3 innings allowing one earned run for the win. Neal Beau retired the final six of seven batters, hitting one batter to record the save for the Rams.
The loss caps an incredible school year for Watterson athletic programs, which won state titles in girls cross country, boys soccer, football and boys wrestling. The Eagles’ boys lacrosse team, like baseball, also finished as state runners-up.
“We have unbelievably competitive human beings (on our team),” Boulware said. “(They) plotted out goals, ‘How can I get better each day to achieve that?’ In today’s society, that’s not a normal thing. So, we had a lot of abnormal athletes this year and we hope that becomes the norm.”
The Watterson baseball team huddles prior to their DIII title game against Hamilton Badin Friday at Akron’s 7 17 Credit Union Park. Photo: Kevin Rouch