AKRON, Ohio – The Badin Rams are state champions once again. On Friday night at 7 17 Credit Union Park, Badin defeated Columbus Bishop Watterson 7-2 to claim the 2026 Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III state baseball championship — their first title in three decades. Badin jumped on top early and never looked back. In the bottom of the first inning, the Rams plated three runs to take a commanding lead. Derek Ogden walked, stole second, and scored on Chandler Taylor’s RBI double. Vince Laugle followed with an RBI single, and Austin Vangen drove in the third run with a single to right-center after Colt Emerson reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced on a balk. Badin’s offense continued to apply pressure. In the fifth, they added three more runs. Keegan Sawyer walked and stole second, Laugle was hit by a pitch, and Emerson ripped an RBI double. Emerson later scored on a passed ball, and Vangen delivered his second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly. A final insurance run came in the sixth on Sawyer’s sac fly that plated Ogden, who had singled and stolen second.
 

Offensive Standouts for the Rams:

• Colt Emerson – 2-for-4, double, 2 runs, RBI
• Austin Vangen – 1-for-3, 2 RBI (single in 1st, sac fly in 5th)
• Derek Ogden – 1-for-2, 2 runs, 2 walks, 2 stolen bases
• Chandler Taylor – 1-for-3, double, RBI, run
• Vince Laugle – 1-for-2, RBI, walk, hit-by-pitch

On the mound, Brooks Treadway earned the win, throwing 4.1 strong innings. He allowed 6 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) while keeping Watterson’s potent lineup in check. Beau Chaney bridged the gap with 0.2 scoreless innings, and Beau Neal closed it out with two perfect innings of relief for the save, striking out one. Watterson managed just two runs on six hits. Michael Mulligan had a triple and RBI, while Caden Mangini, Michael Wozniak, and Ben Uhlenhake each contributed hits. Starting pitcher Max Steinbrunner took the loss. The Rams finished the season 30-3, while Watterson ended at 27-4. Badin’s defense turned three double plays, and their pitching staff limited Watterson to just one run after the first inning. This championship caps an outstanding season for the Rams and marks a historic return to the top of Ohio high school baseball. The team will return to Hamilton for a 1:00pm celebration Saturday at Alumni Field in Joyce Park, the Ram's home field. The community is invited.

Congratulations to the Badin Rams — 2026 State Champions!

(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy)

(Photo Courtesy: Chris Vogt The Report Ohio)