St. Xavier took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Sam Mudd doubled and later scored on a passed ball. An RBI single in the fifth inning by Ian Walters tied the score.
The game remained tied 1-1 until the top of the ninth inning. The Mustangs went ahead 2-1 on an RBI single by Walters that scored Keegan Breese. But in the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers loaded the bases on three straight singles, setting the stage for Scheler's big hit.
Scheler crushed a fastball over the head of center fielder Rook Ellington, allowing Tanner Brown and Chris Esselman to score.
Adam Elliott got the win in relief, allowing a run and three hits and striking out five in three innings. Starting pitcher Daniel Fischer allowed five hits and struck out six over the first six innings.
Keegan Breese took the loss for McCracken County (37-6), giving up two runs on six hits. Starting pitcher Caleb Reinhardt gave up one run on four hits with three strikeouts.
The loss was the Mustangs' first to a Kentucky team and snapped their 24-game winning streak. St. X advanced to face Campbell County in Saturday night's state championship.
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