By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Osceola beat Liberty, 1-0, to win the 7A-5 baseball district championship Friday in a thriller at Kowboys field.

Gustavo Rios had the only RBI and pitchers Brandon Woodard (win) and Travis Richardson (save) combined to hold the Chargers scoreless.

It was Osceola’s first district title since 2008 under former coach Jim Murphy.

“It really exemplified that pitching and defense wins championships,” Kowboys Coach Scott Birchler, who also led the team to a district title in 2000, said.

The teams split two games during the regular season.

Liberty Coach Nick Philpot said his team fought for the championship.

“It was an incredible game, these young men did not quit,” he said. “We made one too many base running mistakes to get that win. We won’t do it again.”

Osceola won the tournament as the No. 4 seed. Liberty was seeded No. 3. Osceola knocked off top-seeded Gateway, 13-2, in the semifinal round. Liberty beat No. 2 East Ridge, 6-4, to advance to the championship game.

Both teams were scheduled to play in the 7A-2 regional quarterfinals Wednesday. OHS hosted St. Cloud, the 7A-6 district runner-up, while Liberty traveled to 7A-6 champion Harmony. Liberty made the regionals for the first time.

The winners of Wednesday’s games will play Tuesday in the regional semifinal round.