ST. MARYS –– A year after losing in the District 9 Class A championship, Oswayo Valley worked its way back to the title game, an opportunity for redemption few teams in any sport are granted.

It’s only fitting that a team like the Green Wave, one that strives itself on the little things –– defense, pitching, bunting and aggressive baserunning –– would make the most of the smallest breaks. Yet, that’s exactly what head coach Brad Buchholz’s side did as it reclaimed the D-9 title in a 4-1, eight-inning affair over Clarion on Thursday afternoon in St. Marys. The Green Wave won the title in 2015, beating Clarion, before losing 2-1 last year to DuBois Central Catholic, with all three games played on the Berwind Park diamond.

“I think obviously getting here three times,” Buchholz said, “I think our players were able to relax and probably relax more than I did. They played with confidence out there. That’s what defense is –– just being relaxed and doing it.”

The redemption message wasn’t lost on Buchholz, who has helped build tiny Shinglehouse into a D-9 power, amassing a 61-7 record over the last three years with each ending in a state-tournament appearance.

“That’s what I said to them in pregame,” Buchholz said. “I said, ‘I can’t tell you what the outcome is going to be, guys, but I can tell you there’s hundreds of teams around even just the state who wishes they were here. No matter what the outcome is, you guys are doing something that nobody in OV history has ever done. Take a look around and make sure you enjoy the moment.’”

The Green Wave surely enjoyed the moment, as a three-run eighth inning broke the game open as starting pitcher Ryan Graves threw a gem of a complete game, allowing three hits, an unearned run and throwing just 80 pitches.

Is the recent run a dynasty?

“It’s a heck of a run,” Buchholz said. “I don’t’ know what title you give it, but it’s a heck of a run and it sure is a lot of fun. I’ve been with these kids since t-ball, so it makes it a little extra special.”

After the teams played through a quick first four innings, Oswayo Valley got on the scoreboard first as Theo Henry led off with a single, moved to second on a Camden Graves sacrifice and then came around to score on Gage Babock’s RBI single.

Clarion answered in the bottom of the sixth as Spencer Miller singled in Skylar Rhoades to tie the game at 1-1.

Last year in the title game, OV let DCC score in the sixth inning on the way to a 2-1 defeat. This year, the Green Wave didn’t let Clarion gain that kind of momentum, as Graves worked out of a jam with Bobcats on second and third with two outs.

The Green Wave’s championship mettle showed in the eighth, as No. 9 hitter Camden Graves led off with a single, while Babcock joined him on the basepaths with a single of his own. Henry used a long at-bat to drive a single to the outfield and score Graves.

Grant West followed with a walk, loading the bases for catcher Jacob Karr. Karr laid down a one-out bunt to the pitcher, who threw to home for what could have been an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.

Instead, the home-plate umpire rule Clarion catcher Kyle Patterson didn’t have his foot on the base, allowing Babcock to score to make the OV lead 3-1. A bases-loaded walk by Ryan Graves scored the final run, as Clarion’s Miller got Henry to ground into a double play to end the threat.

The Green Wave sealed the win in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a diving catch by West in centerfield –– his second diving stop of the afternoon –– and a leaping snag by first baseman Garren Black to end the game and start the celebration.

The three-run lead didn’t make OV feel completely safe, but with the team’s focus on defense and pitching, it certainly helped.

“You’re never totally confident, but I liked our chances there,” Buchholz said. “It probably would have taken five or six hits to score three runs, and with our defense, that’s pretty hard to do.”

The third-seeded Green Wave –– which beat the fourth, second and top seed on their way to the title –– open state playoff action on Monday against Union, the third seed out of District 7. Oswayo Valley has yet to win a state-playoff game, losing to California and Rocky Grove the last two seasons.

“We’re just going to keep building,” Buchholz said. “We’re going to enjoy it while it lasts. Nothing lasts forever, but right now it’s a lot of fun.”

At ST. MARYS

                                             R H  

Oswayo Valley 000 010 03   4 10

Clarion             000 000 10   3  3

Ryan Graves (1 BB) and Jacob Karr

Reed Anthony (3 SOs, 1 BB), Sterling Connor (2 BB), Spencer Miller and Kyle Patterson