A program-best postseason run for the Liberty-Benton baseball team came to a close in the OHSAA Division V state tournament semifinals on Thursday. https://t.co/4Inb1tSxOq
We lose 5-2 in the State Semis. What an incredible run. Extremely proud of this group. Played as the underdog the entire tournament and this group brought it every day. Thank you to seniors Reid, Zach, Isaac, Mack, Gavin, Lincoln, Sam, and Gavin for leading us all year.
Ba Ba Ba💥💥💥
Summer 2026 is already flying by!!!
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Here’s a small glimpse of the work our Skill Group has put in these first couple weeks!
#ToledoStrong#RocketFast
"We get to play next Thursday."
Matt Rader after Liberty-Benton's 3-1 win over Amanda-Clearcreek.
@LBEagleBaseball will face Columbus Academy in the state semifinal June 11 in Canton.
STATS 🔢:
@LeathermanKoop: W; CG, 2 H, 1 ER, 6 K
@ElchertZach: 1-4, R
@SchwormIsaac: 1-4, RBI
In a Division V Regional Final, #10 (D5) @LBEagleBaseball (22-5) punched its 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓-𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 trip to the State Final Four, defeating @acacesbaseball (14-13) by a 6-1 score and outhitting the Aces 10-2.
2028 RHP/C @leathermankoop was dominant from start to finish, keeping Amanda-Clearcreek off balance all evening. The talented two-way tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on two hits and three walks while striking out six.
The Eagles' offense backed him with 10 hits, led by a trio of multi-hit performances. 2026 OF Reid Irwin paced the attack with three hits, while 2027 OF @connorjbarbara and 2028 INF @TadenTroyer11 each collected two hits.
For the Aces, 2026 CF/RHP @Gary_Kemmerling did everything he could to keep his team within striking distance. The two-way standout entered in relief and delivered five strong innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out four. At the plate, he accounted for Amanda-Clearcreek's biggest swing of the night, finishing 1-for-2 with a home run, walk, RBI, and run scored.
@LibertyBentonHS now heads to the state tournament for the first time in program history, where it will face @CABaseballTeam (16-16) on June 11 at 10 a.m. The opposite side of the Division V bracket features #1 @WaynedaleBSB (29-3) and #7 @VHSBaseball3 (22-6).
Follow the thread for top performers, scouting reports, videos, and more 📝📹👇

#RoadToAkron #OHHS26 #MadeInOhio @prepbaseball
FINAL OUT 😤
With the game-winning run at the plate, @LeathermanKoop induces a ground ball to @ElchertZach, who steps on the bag to seal Liberty-Benton’s regional title win.
@LBEagleBaseball is state bound for the first time ever!
And the Eagles are flying high tonight 🦅
Div. V Regional Final at Elida
Liberty-Benton 3, Amanda-Clearcreek 1
The Eagles are going to State for the first time in Program History!!
Liberty-Benton (22-5) will face Columbus Academy (16-16) in the Div. V State Semis on Thursday, June 11 at 10am.
REGIONAL CHAMPIONS AND STATE BOUND 🏆⚾️🚨
Liberty-Benton (@LBEagleBaseball) punches their ticket to state for the first time in program history after a 3-1 win over Amanda-Clearcreek!
@LibertyBentonHS@LBLocalSchools
@LibertyBentonHS@apachebaseball7 Liberty-Benton gets some key insurance runs in the sixth. Zach Elchert and Kooper Leatherman each bloop singles to right field and a wild pitch scored Elchert from 2nd for a 2-0 lead before Leatherman scores on an RBI sac fly
Middle 6th
Liberty-Benton 3
Fairview 0
BB - Div. V Regional Final at Elida
Liberty-Benton 3, Fairview 1
The Eagles (21-5) are heading to the Regional Finals to take on Amanda-Clearcreek (14-11) on Thursday at 5pm in Elida.
WP: Jackson Knepper - 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 K
Kooper Leatherman - 3/3, 3 Singles
Two of the leaders who helped @LBEagleBaseball punch its long-awaited Regional ticket spoke with me after the victory:
"It's pretty crazy, I love these guys" - @Jackson_Knepper
"Winning this game means a lot to our program, been our focus the whole year" - @ElchertZach