FAIRBORN — Attention, college recruiters. There's a senior pitcher at Lakota West named Austin Rhoads, a right-hander who has won 12 consecutive games for the Firebirds and deserves a good look.

Austin Rhoads is greeted by teammates after his shutout. (Ernest Coleman photos) | ZOOM |

        In a dominating performance against Fairfield in the Division I regional semifinals, Rhoads scattered four singles as the Firebirds defeated Fairfield 7-0 at Wright State University.

        That put Lakota West in today's 1 p.m. regional final against Hamilton at Wright State.

        The win lowered Rhoads' ERA to 1.01, including 0.54 in four tournament victories.

        While Rhoads silenced the Indians' bats, teammate Roddy Stieger provided the big hit, a three-run home run over the left-field fence in the fourth inning.

        “I didn't have my best fastball today, but I was hitting the spots,” Rhoads said. “My curve kept them off balance and was my best pitch.”

Roddy Stieger (right) had a three-run homer. | ZOOM |

        Fairfield coach Ralph Smith credited Rhoads as the difference and said the home run by Stieger was the clincher.

        “He (Rhoads) pitched a great game, and give him credit,” Smith said. “He threw the ball by us and was in complete control. The home run by Stieger was the big shot.”

        Stieger, who played at Fairfield as a freshman and sophomore, has been a thorn in the side of the Indians.

        “I know all these guys and I get fired up for Fair field,” Stieger said.

        The tone for the game was set in the first inning when Lakota West scored a run on a fielder's choice. Bryan Davis reached base on an error, stole second and advanced to third on a single by Brandon Beyerlein.

        Rhoads then hit a fly ball in between first and second that fell in the infield grass. Beyerlein was thrown out at second, but Davis came home for a 1-0 lead.

        The score remained 1-0 until the fourth when Jason Bowlin walked Rhoads to start the inning. After a fielder's choice, Chris Baxter singled and Stieger followed with the blast down the left-field line.

        Also a member of Lakota West's Division I state champion boys golf team, Stieger is one of the few catchers who calls the pitches rather than the head coach doing so.

        “I told Coach (Bill) Driesbach the first time we played Fairfield that I knew the hitters and would like to call the game,” Stieger said. “It worked out well, and I've called every game since.”

        Although this is the farthest any Lakota baseball team has gone, Driesbach isn't worried about today's regional championship game against Hamilton.

        “We'll pitch Jon Oliver, who's been our No.2 and had a great season,” Driesbach said. “He's a senior and proven he can do it.”

        The winner of today's game advances to the state semifinals Thursday (10 a.m.) at Cooper Stadium in Columbus.

        Fairfield ....... 000  000  0—0  4  1

        Lakota West ....... 100  303  x—7  7  0

        WP—Rhoads (10 Ks, 12-0). LP— Bowlin (4 Ks, 6-3). Hitting leaders: LW— Beyer lein 2-4, 2 RBI; Stieger HR, 3 RBI; Davis 2B. Records: LW 24-7, F 24-5.

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