NEW PHILADELPHIA — Mount Vernon’s final pass through the Ohio Cardinal Conference resulted in a championship.
Konner Daughriety fired a complete game two-hitter as the Yellow Jackets locked up at least a share of the OCC title with a run rule-shortened 12-1 win at New Philadelphia on Tuesday.
The Jackets and Quakers were tied atop the OCC standings entering this week’s home-and-home series. Mount Vernon (18-3, 11-2) now owns a one game lead over New Philadelphia (13-5, 10-3) with one game remaining, Wednesday at Mount Vernon.
The OCC title is the second for the Yellow Jackets, who will depart for the Licking County League next year. Mount Vernon’s other conference crown came in 2017.
After a scoreless first inning, the Yellow Jackets erupted for seven runs in the second. Ezra Kurek had a two-run, two-out single while Jonny Askew added a two-run double later in the inning.
Kurek was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Zac Clow had a pair of hits, including a solo home run in the fifth, and two RBIs. Kayden Packard was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Isaiah Columber was 3-for-3.
Daughriety struck out seven and walked three. He threw 53 of his 89 pitches for strikes.
Keaton Fausel and Mason Caterina each had a hit for the Quakers. Sam Rufenacht took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in 1.2 innings of work.