ELM GROVE – Steven Brodegard hurled a masterpiece Tuesday afternoon at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex.

As a result, Wheeling Central is now positioned to repeat as OVAC 3A baseball champions.

Brodegard tossed a five-inning no-hitter as the Maroon Knights ousted Monroe Central, 14-0, in the conference semifinals. The hard-throwing right-hander was one hit-batsman away from a perfecto.

He was the model of efficiency, striking out 13 Seminoles while tossing 47 strikes compared to just 16 balls. Brodegard fanned the first nine Seminoles he faced.

Top-seeded Central will now take on Martins Ferry in the OVAC championship game on Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Mazeroski Field in Cadiz. Anthony Reasbeck’s third-seeded Purple Riders ousted Linsly in Monday’s other semifinal contest.

Coach Todd Cover’s Maroon Knights improved to an impressive 13-1 on the campaign. Their lone setback was to unbeaten Caldwell. The Redskins are top-seeded and finalists in OVAC Class 2A.

“I have to give credit to my defense and to Koy (catcher Lipinski). He does a great job calling the game for me. I am just happy we won and got to play for another title,” Brodegard said. “I went to Monroe Central when I was in grade school. So, it was kind of neat to be pitching against some guys I knew.”

While Brodegard was dealing from the outset, it took the Central offense one inning to get untracked. The Knights were retired in order in the first frame. However, the Maroon bats came to life in the second.

Central scored three runs in each of the second and third frames before sealing the Seminoles’ fate with an eight-spot in the fourth.

In the second inning, Lipinski walked before Brayden Cover singled. Brady Ernest singled to load the bases. Jake Brown delivered an RBI single before Ernest scored on a wild pitch. Luke Tiu plated the third run via a sacrifice fly.

Central doubled its lead in the third.

With one out, Seth Cover singled and came home on a crushing triple off the bat of Zayne Rosnick. Brayden Cover walked, setting the table for a two-run double by Ernest, making it a 6-0 count.

The Maroon Knights pushed across eight runs in the fourth on the strength of five hits, four walks and two hit-batters. Gary Hatfield produced the biggest blow with a two-run triple. Ernest capped his fine three-for-three day with a run-scoring single.

“Steven was in command of both of his pitches. When he does that, he is tough to beat,” Todd Cover offered. “He pitched an excellent game. I am proud of him.

“I was a little worried about our bats after the first inning. We took Easter break off and I think we were a little rusty,” he added. “But we started to get untracked in the second inning and it became contagious. We did a nice job at the plate over the final three innings.”

Monroe Central utilized three pitchers. Brayden Baker started and gave way to Joby Henthorn in the fourth. Noah Marshall also came on in the fourth. The trio combined for one strikeout and eight walks.

“We lost to a very good team today,” Monroe Central coach Chris Leasure noted. “Brodegard pitched very well. He was in total control.

“After the first inning, they hit the ball well. You have to give them credit,” he added. “We will try and get back on track tomorrow (today) at Shadyside. We have only played three home games this year. We are looking to get home soon.

Monroe Central is now 6-6.

Supporting Ernest’s three-hit day were Seth Cover and Braxton Billick with two hits each.

“You always want to play for championships and we have a chance to do that again. It would be nice to repeat,” Todd Cover said. “But Martins Ferry will be a challenge. We scrimmaged them early in the year and they have improved a great deal. They are playing very well now.”