BETHEL – The Blanchester baseball team split a doubleheader Saturday with Bethel-Tate, winning game one 13-3 and losing game two 8-5.

Blanchester is 17-10 on the year and will face Clermont Northeastern 5 p.m. Wednesday at Kings High School in a sectional title game.

On Friday, the Wildcats lost to Waynesville 10-5.

Lawson said the Spartans were the “best hitting team we have played all year. They were solid one through nine.”

Lawson said BHS had three lineouts to middle infielders, two of which resulted in double plays. The defense was not up to par.

“We had two tailor-made double plays that we booted and three over-throws on pickoff plays,” said Lawson. “We gave them way too many free bases.”

Ballard pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth, Lawson said, and has shown he can get “good hitters out.”

Cole Ficke doubled while Farrow, Ballard and Preston Griffin singled for the Wildcats. Griffin drove in a run.

On Saturday, Eric Patton pitched the ‘Cats to a victory. “Eric did a good job of pitching to contact,” BHS coach Aaron Lawson said. “Our defense behind him made the plays we needed to make. Nothing flashy, or spectacular, just making routine plays like we preach to them and it was successful.”

Blanchester scored seven runs in the third inning. The Wildcats stole 11 bases in the game.

In addition to the pitching victory, Patton had a hit, drove in a couple of runs and stole a base.

Dustin Howard had two hits, two stolen bases and scored three runs. Justin Ballard stole three bases, scored twice, had a hit and knocked in a run. Chris Farrow had a hit and drove in a run.

In the second game, Blanchester scored three runs in the first but was unable to sustain the energy, Lawson said, and lost by three.

“We definitely got a little complacent and started just going through the motions,” said Lawson.

Lawson was pleased with Orin Potts’ varsity pitching debut.

Jack Davidson had two hits, including a double, scored two runs and stole two bases. Ballard had a double, a run scored and stole a base. Farrow had two hits and drove in a run.

“This game is one we just need to put behind us right away and continue to do whatever it takes to get ready for our sectional game on Wednesday,” said Lawson.