MINGO JUNCTION — The old cliché of it is hard to beat a team three times in one season proved to be accurate once again. However, Indian Creek did just that.

When the chips were done for the Redskins, senior standout Gavin Pownall came through for his team in the clutch just as he has done so many times before. With his team down to rival Harrison Central by a run with two on and two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Pownall produced a two-run double to give his team the lead. The Redskins tacked on an insurance run to make it a two-run game.

Pownall was once again called to duty in the seventh to shut door on the Huskies on the mound, as Harrison Central had two runners on with no outs, however, Pownall retired the next three batters in order to end the game as No. 1 seed Indian Creek held on to defeat No. 4 seed Harrison Central, 6-4, in an OVAC Class 4A Semifinal Monday evening up at Muth Field.

“You love to have a season veteran at the plate in a situation like that,” Indian Creek (14-2) head coach Mike Cottis said. “We have a lot of confidence in Gavin. We were talking to Gavin. They had a meeting with their pitcher, we told him to sit back and try and drive one. They were throwing him a lot of off-speed stuff, and he was able to sit back and drive one down the right field line. He gave us a shot to win the game.”

Trailing by a run, the Red-and-Gold got two runners on base in the sixth. Garrin Clark got the ball rolling with a base hit to left before Logan Wedlake was issued a walk to give the Redskins a pair of baserunners. Indian Creek attempted a sacrifice bunt, however, it was not successful as neither runner was able to advance on the play. Then, Clark was out at third on a fielder’s choice, however, his team still had two runners on base. Pownall then stepped to the plate and delivered a double to right scoring Wedlake and Ian Starkey, who reached on a fielder’s choice, to give Indian Creek its first lead of the game at 5-4.

After Hunter Rusnak was issued an intentional walk, Sylus Hyde singled to right scoring Pownall to extend the Redskins’ advantage to 6-4. Rusnak advanced to third base on the play, but he was stranded there on a groundout ending the inning, however, the damage had already been done.

Down to their last at-bat, the Huskies (11-6) attempted to stage a rally. Trae Dunfee walked to start the inning, and Hunter Snyder’s reached on a fielder’s choice to put two runners on base, however, Pownall, who replaced Hyde on the mound, retired the next three batters on two pop-ups and a groundout to end the threat, end the inning, end the game and send the Redskins back to the OVAC Final.

“Gavin has been our closer for four years,” Cottis said. “Sylus Hyde threw his best game as far as minimizing walks. They did have some hard-hit balls against him. He walked a guy, so we decided to bring Gavin in, and he did the job. Both pitchers threw well.”

With the win, Indian Creek will take on No. 3 seed Linsly in the tournament final. Linsly advanced to the final by defeating No. 2 seed, Edison, 10-0, via mercy rule in five innings in the other semifinal Monday evening out at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.

“We play Linsly in the final, but I am not sure when the game will be,” Cottis said. “It might be the early game on Saturday. Linsly has a really-good program. It is going to be a tough challenge for us. We are going to have to bring our A-game.”

The Redskins have played in a lot of big innings in the last few seasons, and their game against the Cadets is just another in a long line of big ones.

“The kids are excited about being in the final,” Cottis said. “We are excited about the opportunity. Hopefully, things fall our way this time.”

Hyde pitched the first six innings to record the win on the mound for Indian Creek. Hyde struck out six and walked two before giving way to Pownall, who picked up the save.

Colten Rutter took the loss for Harrison Central. Rutter struck out two, while walk

Harrison Central struck first in the first. With one out, Gage Stoneking connected on a long drive to center resulting in an inside-the-park home run scoring Colson Crothers, who reached on a fielder’s choice, to give the Huskies an early 2-0 lead.

Indian Creek answered right back in the home half of the inning. Hunter Rusnak walked with one out, and the catcher stole second to move into scoring position. James Brothers followed with a single to left advancing Rusnak to third, and Rusnak ended up scoring on an error to cut the Redskins’ deficit down to 2-1. Brothers moved up to second on the error, however, he was stranded there following a strikeout.

The home team had a chance to draw even in the second. Wedlake walked with one out, and he advanced to second on a groundout, however, he was stranded on a pop-up to left.

The visitors increased their advantage in the third. Dunfee singled to right to start the inning before Stoneking collected a double to left scoring Dunfee to make the score, 3-1. Then, Lance Smith, who singled in the first, doubled to right to score Stoneking making it a 4-1 ballgame. Smith was stranded there following a groundout.

“Stoneking had a couple really-good swings today,” Cottis said. “He’s a good player. We stayed in the game. We have a lot of confidence, and we came up with the big hits in the end when we needed to.”

Trailing by three runs, Indian Creek once again answered in its half of the inning. Pownall started the inning off by reaching on an error before stealing second base. Then, Rusnak launched a home run over the fence in left field to pull the Redskins back within a run at 4-3. With two outs, Luke McVicker singled and stole second, however, he ended up being stranded on a groundout.

The boys from Harrison County had an opportunity to extend their advantage in the fifth. Hunter Snyder singled with one out before being advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. The Redskins elected to intentionally walk Stoneking giving the Huskies two baserunners, however, a strikeout end the treat keeping it a one-run ballgame.

The boys in white got a runner on base in the bottom of the inning when Brothers reached on an error with two outs, however, a flyout to right ended the inning.

The victory was the third one for the Redskins this season against the Huskies. Indian Creek blanked Harrison Central, 10-0, in six innings April 15 at home before winning, 5-1, April 17 on the road out at Mazeroski Field.

“Baseball is a funny game,” Cottis said. “It is very hard to beat one team three times in one season. Every time we play Harrison Central it is a dogfight. They have a good program. There is a lot of respect between the two teams. Coach (Mike) Valesko had his team ready to play today. They played with a lot of emotion. It is a good rivalry.

Indian Creek is scheduled to play Jefferson County rival Big Red at 5 p.m. Wednesday at home. The Redskins defeated Big Red, 13-6, in the two team’s first meeting of the season April 3 up at the Crimson Complex. Indian Creek is then scheduled to play rival Weir at 5 p.m. up at the Weir High Baseball Field.

“It’s good baseball,” Cottis said. “You need to have that at this time of the year. We are going to face good pitching, and we hope our bats remain hot, so we give ourselves a chance.”

Harrison Central is slated to play Oak Glen at 5 p.m. Wednesday at home.

Indian Creek 6 Harrison Central 4

Harrison Central 203 000 0 – 4 6 4

Indian Creek 102 0030 – 6 6 2

HARRISON CENTRAL (11-6): Rutter LP (5IP, 2K, 4BB) and Mizer. Snyder S; Stoneking D, HR, 3RBI; Smith S, D, RBI; Dunfee S.

INDIAN CREEK (14-2): Hyde WP (6IP, 6K, 2BB), Pownall (1IP, 0K, 0BB) and Rusnak. Pownall D, 2RBI; Rusnak HR, 2RBI; Hyde S, RBI; J. Brothers S; McVicker S; Clark S.