High school baseball player ejected from playoff game over controversial slide

A high school baseball player was ejected during a state tournament game in Illinois this week because of the way he slid into second base, and the controversial decision may have had a significant impact on the outcome of the contest.

Limestone Community High School defeated East Peoria Community High School 4-2 on Wednesday night to advance to the state regional championship. East Peoria may feel cheated after they lost their best hitter, first baseman Auggie Lohnes, to a controversial umpiring decision in the bottom of the fifth inning of the seven-inning game.

Lohnes ripped a line drive deep to left field and was determined to turn the hit into a double. There was a close play at second, but the fielder dropped the ball and Lohnes was called safe.

The play, however, resulted in Lohnes being ejected. The umpires got together and determined that Lohnes had “malicious intent” on his slide into second.