Highland skips past Galion for season sweep on the diamond

Galion's Trey Fricke slides back to first to avoid Highland's Lincoln Shaffer on the pickoff attempt. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion coach Kenny Fagan talks to his infield during a timeout. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Kane Hay slings a pitch against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Caleb Youngman catches a pop-up in the infield. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Emory Main puts a ball into play against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Zach Church sends a ball into left field. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Nolan Landefeld puts a ball in play against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Branson Newsome shows bunt against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Kane Hay (7) and Kurt Hay (8) dap up between innings. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Zach Underwood winds up to pitch against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Caleb Youngman watches a high pitch soar past against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion coach Kenny Fagan talks to Kurt Hay during a mound visit for Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Kane Hay pitches against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Zach Underwood pitches against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Trey Fricke throws the ball to first base for an out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Emory Main tries to lay down a bunt against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Cade Minnick throws a bunt to third for the out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Brayden Harvey throws the ball to first for an out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Trey Longwell throws a ground ball to first for the out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Landyn Prosser dives back to first base to avoid Highland's Lincoln Shaffer on the pickoff attempt. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion first base coach Mitch Willeke talks to Jackson Henry after a single. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Galion's Brayden Harvey takes off to first after putting a ball in play against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Zach Underwood makes a move toward home. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Jayden Collins puts a ball in play against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

Highland's Zach Church cheats off first base with Galion's Jackson Henry waiting for a pickoff attempt. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Trey Fricke slides back to first to avoid Highland's Lincoln Shaffer on the pickoff attempt. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Trey Fricke slides back to first to avoid Highland's Lincoln Shaffer on the pickoff attempt. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion coach Kenny Fagan talks to his infield during a timeout. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Kane Hay slings a pitch against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Caleb Youngman catches a pop-up in the infield. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Emory Main puts a ball into play against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Zach Church sends a ball into left field. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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Highland skips past Galion for season sweep on the diamond

Highland's Nolan Landefeld puts a ball in play against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Branson Newsome shows bunt against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Kane Hay (7) and Kurt Hay (8) dap up between innings. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Zach Underwood winds up to pitch against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Caleb Youngman watches a high pitch soar past against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion coach Kenny Fagan talks to Kurt Hay during a mound visit for Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Kane Hay pitches against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Zach Underwood pitches against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Trey Fricke throws the ball to first base for an out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Emory Main tries to lay down a bunt against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Cade Minnick throws a bunt to third for the out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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Highland skips past Galion for season sweep on the diamond

Galion's Brayden Harvey throws the ball to first for an out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Trey Longwell throws a ground ball to first for the out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Landyn Prosser dives back to first base to avoid Highland's Lincoln Shaffer on the pickoff attempt. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion first base coach Mitch Willeke talks to Jackson Henry after a single. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Galion's Brayden Harvey takes off to first after putting a ball in play against Highland. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Zach Underwood makes a move toward home. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Jayden Collins puts a ball in play against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

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PHOTOS: Highland at Galion baseball

Highland's Zach Church cheats off first base with Galion's Jackson Henry waiting for a pickoff attempt. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

GALION - The last two seasons, Galion and Highland's Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference series has been must watch baseball.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, each of the last four meetings — including Wednesday night's clash — have ended with them coming up just short. Tuesday it was a 3-2 win for Highland thanks to two runs in the bottom of the sixth, and Wednesday it was much of the same as the Scots put up three in the top of the seventh for a 3-0 final to complete the season sweep.

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"Tournament atmosphere the last two nights," Galion coach Kenny Fagan said. "We knew we had some growing pains to overcome, and I thought we did a really good job competing with one of the premier programs in the area late both times. Our youthfulness catches up with us sometimes, but I'm really proud of how we played the last two days going punch-for-punch with those guys."

Highland knew the first half of the season could be challenging after losing Zach Church and Jayden Collins — the Scots' ace and No. 2 — on the mound which led to new faces needing to step up in various positions.

"Losing (them) as pitchers changes the way you prepare for the season, so we've had to change our approach on defense and we're still trying to find a little bit of our offensive identity," Highland coach Don Kline said. "The MOAC is a league that anybody can win on any given night ... there's a lot of good athletes and a lot of good coaches, if you don't have your A-Game on any given night you're going to go home with a loss."

Highland's Nolan Landefeld puts a ball in play against Galion. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

And that almost happened Wednesday night as both pitchers, Highland's Zach Underwood and Galion's Kane Hay, threw great and had stellar defense back them up. The teams combined to strand 16 runners on base leading up to the final inning.

With one out, Collins was plunked and Branson Newsome followed with a bunt single before Church was intentionally walked to load the bases. Morgan Kline stepped up and skipped a ball off the wet grass in front of Galion's Brayden Harvey at third base scoring Collins and Newsome. An insurance run was added by Rhett Russ' pop-up to second that was dropped allowing Church to score.

"When you play good baseball teams like that ... you have to find different ways to win," Kline said. "I'm proud of our guys for the last two nights; yesterday we didn't do a very good job with ball security and defense, and we had a little more offense ... then today we played pretty good defense with Zach Underwood on the mound. We couldn't get the bats going, we left the whole city of Galion out there ... we had a lot of runners, just couldn't play them in.

"But in the end the baseball found its way through and that's why we get to go home a little happier than I'm sure they are."

Kurt Hay doubled with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but never made it past second base.

"Anyone that has coached the game long enough knows high school baseball is a momentum game, and there's quite a few times where they took the momentum," Kline said. "Our guys tried to fight back through, and it was seven innings of fun baseball, it really was. If we played a third game tomorrow, I'm sure it would be another coin flip."

Galion's Brayden Harvey throws the ball to first for an out. The Scots beat the Tigers 3-0 in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference thriller at Heise Park on April 15, 2026.

The Galion series marked the return of Church who had been sidelined with an injury. He was 0-for-2 on Tuesday with a walk and 1-for-2 with a run and a walk Wednesday.

"Getting him back was huge for us," Kline said. "Obviously we're being very careful with him, he's a college signee, but he's the heart and soul of our team and it just gives us a little bit of a boost. He hasn't seen live pitching since we were in Georgia three or four weeks ago, but I'm glad to have him back and I'm sure as a senior, he's excited to join up and play a fun series like this."

Highland remains atop the MOAC standings with a 5-1 record and series against River Valley, Clear Fork, Ontario, and Pleasant still to come. Galion falls two games back at 3-3 with Pleasant, River Valley, Marion Harding, and Clear Fork remaining in league play.

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"You look at your schedule when you make it in December and you're trying to figure out where you're going to be not knowing what your lineup looks like," Fagan said. "Playing these guys who are basically a baseball factory, you just never know what you're getting into.

"Our guys were up to the task, they play super hard, we battle ... we do all the stuff the recipe calls for to be successful. But you just gotta play perfect against those guys."

zholden@gannett.com | 419-617-6018 | Twitter/X: @Zachary_Holden

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Highland sweeps Galion in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference baseball action