Fort Loramie, Greenville and others headed to state
By Tim Langevin
Russia vs. Fort Loramie. Label it Cinderella vs. Godzilla, Underdog vs. Mighty Dog. Regardless, this was the D-IV regional final matchup that Shelby County baseball fans were drooling with anticipation.
However, the anticipation quickly switched to consternation for Russia as Fort Loramie jumped out to a 6-0 lead after four innings en route to a 9-4 win at Carleton Davidson Stadium in Springfield on Friday.
The Redskins advance to the State Semifinals Thursday in Columbus at Huntington Park. This is Loramie’s third trip in four years to the Final Four. Game time is 10 a.m. Their opponent is Toledo Ottawa Hills.
Fort Loramie coach Bill Sturwold has more tricks up his sleeve than David Copperfield. To everyone’s surprise, Sturwold started his ace pitcher Justin Hoying, who pitched a seven-inning, one-hitter Thursday.
Sturwold explained, “It was the plan. In big games like this one, you can’t win the game in the early innings, but you sure can lose it. We wanted veteran experience on the mound. Throwing strikes crucial. We felt if we get two innings out of Justin, then save him for a final inning if things get interesting.”
Hoying responded with two solid innings of no-hit, no-run pitching. The senior gamer has pitched 26 scoreless innings during the tournament. When Hoying takes command of the mound, there is no democracy. He overthrows batters like a dictator. Hoying improves to 12-0 on the year with an insane .71 ERA.
Loramie led 2-0 when Hoying left the game. Mitch Raterman was hit by a pitch. Mitch Boerger singled and Jake Boerger scored Raterman on a fielder’s choice in the first inning. The Redskins added another run in the second with two outs. Brad Frilling singled and then Raterman flared a single to right field for RBI 33 on the season, scoring Frilling.
Sophomore reliever Jared Albers, who pitched just nine innings all season, lasted 2 1/3 innings. Another surprise move by Sturwold. Albers held Russia scoreless for two innings before the Raiders scored three runs in the fifth.
DH Josh Grillot started the rally with a lead-off single. Jeff Simon walked and then Mitch bensman hit a “seeing eye” single to center field, scoring Grillot. Colyn McEldowney had a bunt single down the third base line. The bases were loaded with no outs. John Brandt flied out and then Tyler Goubeaux reached first base on an error, scoring Simon and Bensman. Just like that, the Loramie lead was sliced to 6-3 with one out.
Guess what? Hoying returned to the mound and slammed the door on the next two batters to end the threat.
Hoying said, “My arm was sore, but I knew my team needed me. Luckily, I didn’t have to throw that many pitches the first two innings. I hope we continue to play well. We have the confidence. Just need two more wins.”
Catcher Jake Boerger said, “Hoying was sharp. His slider was working and so was his fastball. Both of us were nervous because Russia is a close rival and we couldn’t stand the thought of losing to them.”
Loramie added three insurance runs in the seventh. Jake Bowles walked. Frilling walked. And Raterman walked to load the bases with two outs. Mitch Boerger singled to left field, scoring Bowles and Frilling. Then Andy Schieltz hit a blooper into right field, scoring Raterman.
What a regional tournament performance by Raterman. The senior centerfielder reached base on all eight of his plate appearances. This game he was 2-for-2 with two runs and one RBI.
Raterman said, “I have been hitting with a lot of confidence. I like the pressure of being the lead-off hitter. This was a huge win. We are back to state. We have a great group of seniors. We just need to play our game and the rest will take care of itself.”
Loramie reliever Troy Plattner pitched 1 1/3 innings and then Zach Eilerman was the closer, pitching the final two outs.
Russia self-destructed, committing five errors. In addition, Russia’s pitching struggled with control, hitting four batters and throwing two wild pitches. Goubeaux suffered the loss to finish 4-2 on the season. He allowed four runs on five hits. Nathan Wilson had a solid performance in relief, going 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs, mostly unearned, four hits, and six strikeouts.
The Raiders scored one run in the final inning on singles by Bensman and Knight. In all, both teams combined for 16 hits, all singles. The spacious ball park was the reason for no extra base hits. The field measured 340 feet down the lines, 375 feet in the power alleys, and 404 feet to deep center. Russia’s Hoying and Wilson both hit shots to the warning track for long outs.
Russia coach Bill Shoffner said, “I think the kids tried too hard. Can’t make that many errors against a team like Loramie. It stinks now, but I told the kids that 10 years from now they will remember this season. It was a fun ride. They were expected to be here and we weren’t. I am proud. I think the key to our tournament run was our confidence. We started believing. Give credit to Loramie and give credit to Justin Hoying.”
The Raiders cinderella season ends with a 21-11 record.
Fort Loramie improves to 28-3. That ties the school record for most wins in a season. And coach Sturwold improves to 341-146. And even less important, the Redskins are winning with new, red jerseys. In their 2007 and 2008 state appearances, Loramie wore black jerseys for good luck.
Hoying explained, “We wore black jerseys in 2007 and 2008 and had success. In 2009 we lost in the regionals. This year we decided it was time for a change. Believe me, we are very superstitious.”
SOFTBALL REGIONAL FINALS
Division II
Greenville 2, Urbana 1
Division III
West Liberty-Salem 2, Sparta Highland 0
Division IV
Newton 4, Williamsburg 0
AREA TRACK STATE QUALIFIERS
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