Webster County, a clear underdog on paper, made every push it could against Madonna.

Jacob Lazear was there to slam the door almost every time.

The lanky Blue Dons junior pitcher rang up 15 strikeouts as top-seeded Madonna pulled away to a 13-3 run-rule victory in six innings in the WVSSAC Class A baseball state tournament Thursday morning at GoMart Ballpark in Charleston.

“Jacob Lazear pitched lights-out today,” Blue Dons coach TJ Miller said. “Any time he pitches, we’re very confident.”

Justifiably so. Of the 17 outs Madonna recorded with Lazear on the bump, only two weren’t strikeouts. He didn’t allow a Highlander to put the ball in play the first time through the order or surrender a hit until the 18th batter he faced -- a bunt single by Webster County’s Remington Wright.

Lazear’s

See Full Page