CADIZ — Ridgewood had quite the run to the regional tournament.
The Generals needed a walk-off against Union Local, outslugged Martins Ferry and used a stellar pitching effort to down Harrison Central for an OHSAA district title.
Unfortunately, bad luck, some miscues and St. Clairsville’s red-hot bats were the difference in an 8-1 loss in the Division V regional semifinal on June 4 at Harrison Central’s Mazeroski Field.
Ridgewood ended its season at 16-15, while St. Clairsville (22-7) advanced to face Lynchburg-Clay for the regional title on June 5 at Marietta College.
Despite the disappointment, coach Chad Lahna applauded his Generals for coming together at the right time and making a tournament run as the sixth seed in the East District.
“We were hovering around .500 in the middle of the season, and we had two options, fight on or tuck your tail and wait for the season to end,” Lahna said. “Our 21 guys, led by four seniors and our juniors, stepped up. I give them credit for leading us and helping us get hot at the right time. We competed, and I’m proud of them for reaching this point.”
Tough first inning sets the tone
Ridgewood tried to strike first. Jace McQueen was hit by a pitch to start the game, and after a strikeout, Wyatt Marlatt hit an infield single towards second base. McQueen tried to avoid the bouncing ball, but was hit by it, leading to an out and a twisted ankle. It fizzled the rally.
St. Clairsville grabbed the momentum quickly. Caiden Bailey tripled to the gap in right field to lead off the bottom of the first. He scored on Roby Hanna’s single, and after Micky Balgo singled with one out, Colten Florence followed with a hit to plate Hanna for a 2-0 lead.
Ridgewood starter Connor Croy prevented more damage, working out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the deficit at two runs.
“That inning was deja vu, a culmination of our season,” Lahna said. “It was series of unfortunate events for us, and they hit the ball hard. That’s a tough way to start off a game like this.”
The Red Devils provided the rest of the support in the third. Saunders and Balgo reached on errors to start the frame, then a wild pitch set up Florence’s RBI single. Niko Jacob and Bailey added RBI singles, Ryan Ivey doubled home a run, and the other two runs scored on a wild pitch and an error for an 8-0 lead after three.
Winning pitcher Brody Saunders made it stand up. He struck out 13, scattered five hits and walked one in a complete game.
Ridgewood scored in the seventh. Parker Snyder led off with a double and came home on an infield single by Grant Lahmers.
Jackson Cabot and Jadon Smoulder also had hits for the Generals, while Bailey and Florence had three hits each for the Red Devils.
bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Tough first inning dooms Ridgewood baseball in regional semifinal
Reporting by Brandon Hannahs, Coshocton Tribune / Coshocton Tribune
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