Tuscarawas County claimed the Ohio American Legion state baseball title Friday morning in Lancaster, defeating Napoleon 9-7.

The Panthers had lost to Napoleon Thursday night, setting up the winner-take-all final in the double-elimination event. However, just like they did in the District Ten tourney against Steubenville, Tusky won the game that mattered most.

Napoleon jumped ahead early Friday, leading 3-0 after three innings. Tusky answered with a seven run fourth inning to take the lead, and they would never trail again.

Garaway's Hunter Conkle picked up the win on the mound, pitching 7 and 1/3 innings. Indian Valley's Adam Mizer continued his strong relief pitching in the postseason, finishing off the final 1 and 2/3 innings.

Tuscarawas County, which was playing in its first state tourney since 1996, moves on to the Greak Lakes Regional next week in Mattoon, Illinois.