FAIRBORN, Ohio — The Moeller High School baseball team is a regional champion.
The Crusaders defeated Centerville 7-0 in a Division I regional final Wednesday night at Wright State University.
Moeller earned its 14th regional championship in its baseball program’s history. The Crusaders are regional champions for the first time since 2023.
Moeller (24-6) advances to play the Region 1 champion (either Perrysburg or Massillon Jackson) in a Division I state semifinal at 4 p.m. June 11 at 7 17 Credit Union Park in Akron. The state final is scheduled for 4 p.m. June 12 in Akron.
Moeller will be in next week’s state tournament for the first time since 2023 when it won the Division I state championship. Moeller has won nine baseball state championships in its storied program history.
Moeller dominated the regional tournament this week at Wright State. The Crusaders outscored their opponents 15-0 the past two days.
Moeller senior right-handed pitcher Matt Ponatoski (University of Kentucky baseball and football signee) struck out eight batters in five innings on Wednesday. He was in the 92 to 96 miles per hour range on his pitches, too.
"It was short rest and it wasn't ideal but there's just certain things that you got to do and I think this one that I wanted the ball," Ponatoski said. "To be honest, the arm doesn't feel great every day but it feels good enough to come out here and compete. I think once you get on the mound adrenaline kicks in and you want to play for your guys so bad that you don't even worry about your arm. It's late in the season nobody feels good - you're cramped, you're banged up so it comes down to who can compete, who can stay together the longest."
Wednesday was the 26th meeting between Moeller and Centerville and the second game with the schools this season. Moeller defeated host Centerville 9-1 May 18.
Wednesday was the first postseason meeting between the programs since 2014.
