RICHMOND — The third time was indeed the charm for the Indian Creek baseball team.

Indian Creek led Carrollton by one run on two occasions, however, the Warriors rallied to take the lead each time. Then, the Redskins responded with two runs in the sixth to retake the lead, and this time the boys from Jefferson County held onto the lead as fourth-seeded Indian Creek escaped a jam in the seventh to defeat No. 6 seed Carrollton, 5-4, in an Ohio Division II Eastern District Semifinal Monday evening out at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.

“It was two really equal teams going at it,” Indian Creek (18-6) head coach Mike Cottis said. “It was a great game to watch from the stands. It was back and forth. I am proud of the guys. They came through in the clutch when we needed them to.”

After the Redskins rallied with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-4 advantage, the boys from Carrol County had one final chance in the seventh.

Garrett Broadwater started the inning off by drawing a walk from Sal Barcalow, who was replaced by Gavin Pownall. The center fielder then stole second to move into scoring position. Then, Jacob Whitmore also drew a walk to give the Warriors two runners on base, and both runners moved up on a wild pitch to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. With his back against the wall, Pownall was able to bear down as he struck out Hunter Allison for the first out of the inning. Then, Landon James hit a groundball to Landon Pownall, and the first baseman quickly threw the ball home to catcher Hunter Rusnak, who tagged Broadwater out on a bang-bang play for the second out of the inning. Cooper Haun was Carrollton’s last hope, however, Gavin Pownall struck him out to end the threat and the game.

“It’s been a while since he has pitched,” Cottis said about Gavin Pownall. “He threw in the bullpen the other day just to get some of the rest off. Our starters have been doing a great job. They have been pitching a lot of innings, and we haven’t had to use him. He was reliable as a freshman and again as a sophomore.”

With the win, Indian Creek will now play No. 2 seed Tri-Valley in the district final at 5 p.m. Wednesday out at Buckeye Trail. Tri-Valley advanced by defeating No. 8 seed Indian Valley, 11-4, in the semifinals Monday out at Lake Park in Coshocton.

“It’s survive and advance,” Cottis said. “You win, and you get to play another one. You want to win your last game. Tri-Valley is one of the best teams in the state. We are going to give it everything we have.”

The Redskins struck first with a run in the first to take an early 1-0 lead. The Warriors responded with a pair of runs in the third to take a 2-1 lead. Indian Creek answered with two runs of its own in the fifth to regain the lead at 3-2 before the visitors recorded two more in the sixth to regain the lead at 4-3.

“We took advantage of what they gave us,” Cottis said. “We had some walks. We did the same thing. We walked some guys and that led to a couple of runs for them.

“We were able to get the big hit when we needed it. Sal Barcalow had a couple big hits for us. He had the one in the gap. We played a sound game overall.”

Both teams used multiple pitchers, and neither started factored into the decision.

Sylus Hyde started for the victors, and he struck out 10 and walked three in his five innings of work on the mound. Hyde was replaced by Sal Barcalow after the sophomore allowed a pair of base runners in the sixth. Barcalow, who ended up picking up the win for his team, struck out one and walked two in his one inning of work before being relieved in the seventh by Gavin Pownall, who struck out two and walked one in his one inning of work.

“He started out really strong,” Cottis said about Hyde. “He ran into a little trouble in the third, but he was able to bear down and give us a couple more innings. He’s a competitor for a younger guy, that’s for sure.”

Hayden Jenkins stared the game for the Black and White, and he struck out six and walked three in his five innings of work. Jenkins was replaced by Isiah McConnell to start the sixth. McConnell took the loss. He struck out one and walked three in his one inning on the mound.

The Redskins produced a run in the first to take the early lead. With one out, Nick Maurer reached on an infield single, and the second baseman stole second base to get into scoring position. Barcalow followed with a single to score Maurer to give the Redskins a 1-0 advantage.

After a scoreless second, the Warriors responded with two runs in the third to take their first lead of the game. Carrollton loaded the bases with one out, and Hunter Allison brought home the first with a sacrifice fly to right scoring Jenkins to knot the score at 1, and then Broadwater scored on a wild pitch to give his team a 2-1 lead.

The hosts pushed a pair of runs across in the fifth to regain the lead at 3-2. Landon Pownall walked with two outs, and then Barcalow hit one into the gap in left-center. Broadwater attempted to make a diving catch, however, he was unable to do so allowing Landon Pownall to motor around the bases and score the tying run to even the score at 2-2. Next, Gavin Pownall doubled down the line in left to score Barcalow enabling Indian Creek to regain the advantage at 3-2.

“Our kids play with confidence,” Cottis said. “He’s a good pitcher. We scored runs with two outs. That is a sign of a good team.”

Carrollton came right back to regain the lead in the sixth. The Warriors started the inning with back-to-back singles by Allison and James. At this point, Barcalow, who started the game in left field, replaced Hyde on the mound. Haun greeted Barcalow with a single to center to load the bases with no outs. Carrollton set itself up for a big inning, but the Warriors were only able to score two runs as Aiden McCort and Isaac Husted each drew bases-loaded walks to bring runs giving them a 4-3 lead.

Finding themselves down once again, the Redskins once again rose to the occasion in the home half of the inning. Stan Amis drew a walk from McConnell to start the inning off, however, McConnell retired the next two batters on a popped-up bunt and a flyout to center. Though there was two outs, Indian Creek was undeterred, and Maurer reached on an error to give continue the inning. Landon Pownall was then hit it in the helmet with a pitch to loaded the bases. Then, Barcalow drew a bases-loaded walk to score Mason Lester, who entered the game to run for Amis, to tie the score at 4-all. Gavin Pownall followed by also drawing a bases-loaded walk to bring Maurer home with what turned out to be the game-winning run.

“Honestly, yeah, we expected to be back in the district final,” Cottis said. “I’m not going to lie to you. These kids expected to be back. They believe in themselves.”

Rusnak recorded a single in the game for the boys in white.

Indian Creek opened the postseason by shutting out No. 12 seed River View, 3-0, in the sectional co-final Tuesday at home at Muth Field. Carrollton advanced to the district tournament by shutting out No. 21 seed Minerva, 1-0, in a co-final Tuesday at home.

Brian Connelly is the head coach of the Warriors.

“I have now Coach Connelly from way back,” Cottis said. “He and I are good friends. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a great coach, and he has a great team.

“It’s baseball. It was our day today.”

Indian Creek 5, Carrollton 4

Carrollton 002 002 0 – 4 4 1

Indian Creek 100 022 X – 5 7 0

CARROLLTON (17-7): Jenkins ND (5IP, 6K, 3BB), McConnell LP (1IP, 1K, 3BB) and James. James 2S; Allison S, RBI; Haun S; McCort RBI; Husted RBI

INDIAN CREEK (18-6): Hyde ND (5IP, 10K, 3BB), Barcalow WP (1IP, 1K, 2BB), Pownall (2K, 1BB) and Rusnak. Maurer S; L. Pownall S; Barcalow S, D; 3RBI; G. Pownall S, D, 2RBI; Rusnak S