HOWARD — Newark Catholic starter Cooper Leibas gave up three hits and struck out nine as the sixth-seeded Green Wave knocked off No. 4 East Knox 5-0 in a Division III district semifinal baseball game Monday at East Knox.
Newark Catholic (14-12) got to East Knox ace Bryar Householder for four runs in the top of the third. Alex Nagel led off the inning with a double and scored on Troy Johnston’s sacrifice fly.
The Green Wave then strung together four straight two-out hits. Kane Stephey doubled and scored on Miller Hutchison’s single. Hutchison scored on Bryan McAnally’s double to make it 3-0. McAnally then scored on Mikey Hess’ single.
Newark Catholic added a run in the top of the fifth. Hutchison doubled before McAnally stroked a run-scoring single.
Johnston, Hutchison and McAnally each had two hits for the Green Wave. Hutchison scored two runs and McAnally knocked in a pair.
Householder, Caleb Armstrong and Josh Keith each had a hit for the Bulldogs (19-5).