Western-Star.com

Tuesday afternoon, the Lebanon Warriors showed that sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

The Warriors overcame five errors on defense and six walks issued by the pitching staff with an onslaught of hits to beat visiting Miamisburg, 13-12. Lebanon banged out 20 hits — including three home runs — to improve to 3-0 in Greater Western Ohio Conference South Division play and 10-6 overall.

"We make it exciting," Lebanon coach Lee Day said. "I think the guys believe they can hit and score runs and because of that we're never out of a game. We just find a way to outscore the other team.

"Fortunately, we've been able to do that despite our inability to throw strikes or play good defense. We can't continue to do that and win, but we're happy to get this one."

Lebanon squandered a 9-5 lead over the final two innings, surrendering seven runs while committing three errors.

But, down to their final three outs, the Warriors answered the bell.

Logan Baker started the seventh by drawing a walk, and Josh Allen followed with a pinch-hit home run to make it a 12-11 game.

Zach Schnee singled and moved to third on a hit-and-run base hit by Cameron Colbert. After Ryan Butcher walked, Bo Gray singled to tie the game. Matt Berger then followed with a base hit up the middle for the game-winner.

"When I went up to the plate I knew I wanted someting to extend my hands and hit a fly ball to get home the run since there was only one out," Berger said. "I knew their pitcher was struggling with his control, so I was looking for a first-pitch strike.

"He threw one right down the middle and I just got my hands around early, connected with it pretty good and hit it up the middle."

Butcher got the win in relief of Cory Steinbrunner, who relieved starter Patrick Campbell in the fifth.

Butcher was also the team's leading hitter on the day, going 4-for-4 with a home run and three runs batted in. Logan Baker also hit a home run and drove in four, while Schnee, Colbert and Gray all had three hits in the contest.

"We're just going up there looking to make contact and drive it up the middle, and sometimes line drives turn into home runs," Butcher said. "This was a big win for us and keeps us in first place in the GWOC South. Now, we just have to keep it going."

Lebanon takes on Mason in the first round of the Warren County Tournament today, then resumes GWOC action on Monday when it travels to Springboro.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.

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