HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — St. Joseph Central stayed unbeaten on the season Thursday night with another marquee win, beating Class A defending state champion and No. 1 Charleston Catholic 5-4 on a two-run walk-off single.
St. Joe (8-0) overall scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, capped by the game-winning hit from Hunter Eplin, which scored Charlie White and Lenny Washington.
White picked up the win on the mound, throwing 87 pitches over seven innings, giving up four runs on nine hits and striking out two.
Washington totaled three hits on the night and two runs scored, while John Piaskowski went 3 for 4 with two runs scored. Corey Sweeney also finished with three hits and an RBI for the Irish.
Marshall Pile went 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in the loss for Charleston Catholic.
The win continued strong early season momentum for the third-ranked Irish since they opened the season with a win over Class AA No. 2 Wayne, 11-5.
For Charleston Catholic (10-4), it was the first in-state loss this season to a Class A opponent.
The two teams are scheduled to play again on Wednesday, April 18, of next week.