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Top seed Champion avoids upset against LaBrae
By Steve ruman
NILES
Champion High coach Rick Yauger says that his team didn’t need to be reminded that regular-season records, league standings and past performances mean very little come tournament time.
A year ago, Champion entered the post-season as the defending Division III state champs. The Golden Flashes were heavily favored to win another district crown, but were upset by Grand Valley in a district semifinal game at Niles’ Wider Field.
On Monday, Champion returned to Wilder Field to face LaBrae in a district semifinal contest. This time, the Golden Flashes lived up to their top-seeded billing in a 6-4 victory over the Vikings.
Champion (14-4) will now face Edgewood on Wednesday at Wilder Field in a district title game.
“No doubt, that loss last year still leaves a bitter taste in our mouths,” Yauger said. “You have to get past it, you have to move on, but you don’t forget it. No one on this team needed to be reminded that once the tournament starts, it’s a new season and anything could happen.
“We’re a very young team. We’ve checked off a couple of boxes in winning a league title and getting to the district final, but we’re still growing and we feel like we still have work to do.”
Champion certainly had to work to get its win over LaBrae (11-9). The Golden Flashes – who defeated the Vikings 9-2 just three weeks ago – were pressured throughout the game by a LaBrae offense which pounded out nine hits and stole seven bases.
Champion took an early 3-0 lead thanks to a three-run second inning. Abe Bayus, Brandon Dykes and Jack O’Shaughnessy each knocked in a run during the rally.
However, LaBrae quickly responded with a three-run third to tie the game at 3-3. The Vikings benefited from three stolen bases in the frame, along with a two-run double off the bat of Dane Sprague.
Champion regained the lead for good in the fourth. Aaron Ellsworth and Bayus hit back-to-back, one-out doubles to give the Flashes a 4-3 lead. Bayus then stole third, and was allowed to score when it was ruled that LaBrae third baseman Lucas Lancaster impeded with Bayus’ ability to advance.
“We practiced for this game by going against some really high speed pitches against the pitching machine,” Bayus said. “We knew that (LaBrae starter) Malakai Roberts could bring the heat. I was just waiting on a good fastball each time up. I was fortunate to get a couple of good swings against a really good pitcher.”
Champion starter Andrew Russell — one of just three seniors on the roster — entered the game with an ERA of 0.16. However, Russell had to work out of numerous jams while going the distance. Russell surrendered a pair of walks in the first inning. In the second inning, he gave up a pair of singles. He then gave up four runs in the middle innings, but retired eight straight to end the game.
“I can’t give enough credit to my defense and all of my teammates,” Russell said. “Tonight proved that baseball is completely a team game. It takes all nine players to win any game.
“I kept putting my team in difficult situations, they kept bailing me out. We just all wanted another chance at a district title. We were all determined to reach that next goal.”
Yauger said he never lost confidence in Russell’s ability to close the game.
“Andrew, he’s a difference-maker,” Yauger said. “Even on a day when he didn’t have his best stuff, he was his best in the clutch. Those last few innings, he slammed the door.”
Champion and Edgewood will play Wednesday at 5 p.m. for the right to advance to the Massillon regional.