MOUNT VERNON — Konner Daughriety was in complete command Wednesday afternoon.
The Ashland University-bound senior gave up just two hits and struck out eight in a complete-game, 7-0 win over Logan in a Division I sectional championship game at Mount Vernon.
The fifth-seeded Yellow Jackets (20-4) advanced to the district tournament for the first time since 2017. Mount Vernon will host No. 13 Olentangy Liberty at 5 p.m. May 21 in a district semifinal game.
“He had two innings of less than 10 pitches,” Mount Vernon coach Nathan Hunt said of Daughriety’s dominance. “Every time he goes (to the mound), we have a chance to win.”
After retiring Logan in the top of the first, Daughriety helped his own cause in the home half of the inning.
He belted a one-out double and moved to third on Ezra Kurek’s single. Daughriety and Kurek both scored on Kayden Packard’s single before Packard scored on Jonny Askew’s single to make it 3-0.
Mount Vernon added a run in the fourth, two in the fifth and another in the sixth.
Daughriety and Askew each had a pair of hits for the Yellow Jackets. Daughriety scored two runs, while Askew drove in three. His two-run triple in the fifth gave the Yellow Jackets a 6-0 lead.
“He’s a tough out,” Hunt said of Askew, a Mercyhurst football recruit. “I’ve seen him hit the ball to second base and still be safe.”
Askew was one of five Yellow Jackets to steal at least one base. Mount Vernon swiped seven bases as a team.
“I thought we did a nice job once we got guys on, creating chaos and stealing a little bit,” Hunt said. “It’s small things like that.”
Next up for the Yellow Jackets is Olentangy Liberty. The Patriots blanked Delaware Hayes 2-0 Wednesday.
“I’m so excited for these guys to have an opportunity to play a good Liberty team in a big game. We’ve been in big games, and this is no different than any other game that we’re gonna play in,” Hunt said “I’m just ready for them to reap the benefits of the hard work that they put into this because they put a lot of work into it.
“It’s fun to watch.”