Thursday, May 21, 2009
By Ryan Jones
STRUTHERS — The Champion and Campbell Memorial High School baseball teams split two regular season contests, with each game decided by one run.
The third meeting came with a trip to regional play on the line and Champion’s offense erased any hopes of a close game.
The Golden Flashes scored at least one run in every inning against Campbell en route to a 13-3 victory in five innings in Wednesday’s Division III district final tilt at Cene Park.
Champion (15-8) will play regional semifinal on May 28 at Massillon.
“I thought when the game started we had some jitters that come with a big game,” Champion coach Tim Cope said. “But once we settled in and Scott [Bailey] settled in on the mound we did a nice job.”
After the Red Devils took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Champion erupted with four runs in the first and second innings to take an 8-2 advantage.
David Palm led off the bottom of the first with a double and scored on a Campbell error to make the score 2-1.
Five batters later, Derek Sumner roped a two-run triple to left-center field that scored Tommy Stroup, who singled and Rick Yauger, who reached on a fielder’s choice.
Cope said his team found continuity on offense by having good at-bats.
“We were disciplined and patient,” Cope said. “We didn’t panic when we got down right away.”
Sumner, who went 4-for-4 with two triples, four RBIs and three runs scored, came home on the second error of the inning to give the Golden Flashes a 4-2 lead.
“We knew D-Money [Sumner] had the ability to have a game like this,” Cope said. “He’s one of our six seniors and he picked a great time to have one of his best games.”
Sumner singled home runs in the second and fifth innings, and hit his second three-bagger in the fourth inning.
“I was sitting on fastballs and staying back on the curves and trying to take them the other way,” Sumner said. “I haven’t hit the ball great all season, but I did today.”
Champion made its last regional appearance in 2005 and advanced to state before losing to Frankfort Adena 5-4 in a semifinal game.
Cope said when the season began he wasn’t sure if his team could win a district title.
“We had six solid seniors who had experience, but we had to bring up some sophomores,” Cope said. “As the season went on I felt we had the ability to achieve this. We took it game-by-game and here we are.”
Sumner said his senior class has provided the team with lots of leadership.
“The whole senior class went to Cedar Point today on a field trip, and we [the seniors] decided that we’ve come too far to lose this game,” he said. “If we keep hitting and fielding like we’ve been the games will take care of themselves.”
Campbell (14-5) took a 2-0 lead in the top of first inning.
Leadoff batter Raul Pizzero reached on an error, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on George Fasline’s single to right. Josh Gore scored the second run when Kyle Firm lifted a sacrifice fly to center.
For Champion, Palm, Billy Yartz and Stroup scored two runs apiece, and Yauger went 3-for3 with a double, three RBIs and three runs.