The Titans, who fell to Sherman 4-1 in the Class A final, walked the first four batters of the game en route to an early 2-0 deficit that they never recovered from.

For the Vikings, who dropped an 11-3 decision to St. Albans in the triple-A title game, it was a bit of deja vu.

Earlier in the week, Ripley got punched in the mouth to begin their state title defense. The Vikings found themselves trailing 8-0 before they ever picked up a bat as Spring Valley jumped all over them. On that day, Ripley answered right back with five runs in the first and ended up rallying for a 12-10 victory.

On Saturday, Ripley got off to a better start, plating a run in the top half of the first to momentarily take a 1-0 lead. However, for the second time in three games, the Vikings’ opponent put up an eight-spot in the opening inning.

Once again, Ripley faced a massive uphill battle. This time, though, it was too much to overcome.

“We dug ourselves a big hole, again, like we did in game one,” said RHS skipper Shane Casto.

The Vikings are a phenomenal baseball team, which makes it all the more jarring that this would happen to them again, twice in the same week.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Casto admitted.

“We got down eight and couldn’t dig ourselves out this time. We had a couple miscues and made some uncharacteristic plays. Had some walks. They capitalized on it and we didn’t. That was the difference.”

Braxton Burke and Gavin Comer started things off with back-to-back singles against Ripley starting pitcher Parker Keller. Next batter Brogan Samms hit a grounder back up the middle for what had a chance to be a huge double play for Ripley, but second baseman John Cummings and shortstop Bryson Casto couldn’t connect on the throw, leading to the tying run scoring.

Things snowballed from there.

Eli Phalen nearly made a nice diving catch on Chance Campbell’s line drive to center, but the ball nicked off his glove to make it 2-1.

Kayden Riggan followed with a grounder to short, but Samms beat the throw home to make it 3-1.

Jonah Carte’s single made it 4-1. A wild pitch made it 5-1. Burke, batting for the second time in the inning, made it 6-1 on a fielder’s choice grounder. Comer singled for the second time in the frame to make it 7-1, and Campbell was plunked with the bases loaded to make it 8-1.

The onslaught finally came to a merciful end when Riggan’s flyball to deep center was snagged at the warning track by Phalen.

Parker Keller, Nevan Cale and Jace Goode all pitched in the inning, recording one out apiece.

As deflating as the inning was, the Vikings had no choice but to keep their heads up. After all, they’d been in this situation before.

“We just got to chip away at it, and if we can scratch out a couple runs and see what happens,” coach Casto said. “Unfortunately, it took us a few innings to get that going. They kept answering every time we would have a little threat.”

Ripley, which returned all but one player from last year’s state championship team, had a target on its back all season. As challenging as last year’s state title run was, it’s even more difficult to repeat. The Vikings dealt with injuries and adversity throughout the 2026 season, but still found themselves one win away from going back-to-back.

Unfortunately, in baseball, all it takes is one bad day — or inning — to derail your plans.

“Today, we kicked it around a little bit, and then we’d walk a couple guys — can’t do that this time of year,” coach Casto said. “They capitalized on our mistakes, and that’s what good teams do.”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@newsandsentinel.com.

The Mountaineers are set to take on Troy at 2 p.m. today in Omaha, Neb. to begin the double elimination tournament. The final two teams standing will play a best-of-three championship series to determine the national champion.

But there’s another college baseball story relevant to the Mid-Ohio Valley that recently occurred in the Division III ranks.

Denison University defeated Endicott twice in three games to capture the D3 national title. Denison, which finished the 2026 season with a sparkling 51-3 record, is guided by head coach Mike Deegan.

Those who have followed the Marietta College baseball team the last 30 years or so will certainly recognize that name. Deegan, a standout player in the pinstripes from 1998 to 2001, was the top lieutenant to head coach Brian Brewer on the 2011 and 2012 Etta Express teams that brought home back-to-back national championships.

During his tenure at Marietta, Deegan served as associate head coach, recruiting coordinator and hitting instructor. After helping the Pioneers further cement themselves as the top D3 baseball program in the country, Deegan accepted the head coaching job at Denison, where he has helped the Big Red become a powerhouse in their own right.

In 14 seasons under Deegan, Denison has a 429-158 (.730) record. The Big Red made their first Super Regional appearance in 2024, their first World Series berth in 2025 and won it all for the first time this season, all under the direction of Deegan.

Under Deegan’s coaching profile on Denison’s athletics website, Brewer is quoted as saying the following: “As sorry as we are to see Coach Deegan leave Marietta, we are equally proud. Coach Deegan has been an essential part of our success over the last nine years and we feel confident his successes will continue at Denison.”

Coach Brewer was spot on with that prediction.

—-

Seeing Deegan’s name in the news had me reminiscing over that 2012 Marietta College team. As a 2012 graduate of MC, getting to watch those guys up close that spring was one of the highlights of college for me, but I had forgotten just how absurdly talented they really were. Checking out the stats page was a fun trip down memory lane.

Tim Saunders led the team in batting average (.441), runs (80), hits (94), walks (35), triples (7) and stolen bases (41). Aaron Hopper, the only player to start all 56 games that year, drove in a team-high 64 runs and tied Saunders for the team lead in home runs with five. Marietta High grad Evan Brockmeier was second on the team in runs-batted-in (53), stolen bases (19) and was third in batting average (.375).

That team also had Kirby Becker, a four-year starter at second base, plus All-American catcher Alex Toth.

And we haven’t even talked about the pitching staff yet. Austin Blaski (13-1 record, 1.23 ERA) headlined the rotation on the way to winning 2012 National Pitcher of the Year. Marietta’s No. 2 arm happened to be the 2011 National Pitcher of the Year, Brian Gasser (11-4, 3.18). Mike Mulvey (6-0, 2.18) had a breakout junior season on the mound.

Oh, and the closer on that team was Kyle Lindquist, who went on to coach under Deegan at Denison and now works in the Cleveland Guardians’ front office. Lindquist graduated as Marietta’s all-time leader in saves (since passed by Sam Mathews).

Just an absolutely stacked squad.

—-

Speaking of the Etta Express, Marietta College alum Turner Hill is having a nice season in Sacramento.

In 161 at-bats for the San Francisco Giants’ triple-A club, Hill is batting .329 with two home runs, 32 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Now 27 years old, the former MC All-American is starting just about every day in the outfield and has helped lead the River Cats to a 38-24 record.

The 2017 Marietta High School graduate is making a strong case for himself. Hopefully Buster Posey is taking notice.

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@newsandsentinel.com.

I was wondering how things were going to go last weekend in Charleston and it appears, for the most part, there were overall positive views.

Although I’ve seen people complaining about the extra length of the meet after adding Class AAAA, one of the other issues for some was how tight the team canopy side under the bleachers was in relation to getting around to the bathrooms or concessions.

I can definitely attest to it being a little crowded back there and I also can see the point of those who might not necessarily want to watch two hours of the shuttle hurdle relays.

Of course, only West Virginia and Iowa remain standing when it comes to having the shuttles at their respective state meets.

Personally, after missing last year’s state meet due to back surgery, I was looking forward to the final day of the season at Laidley Field.

Friday turned out to be perfectly fine weather for the ducks, but everyone in attendance last Saturday definitely got a huge break with Mother Nature holding off until the awards ceremonies.

One good thing for us scribes is at least you know going into the state meet there’s zero parking afforded to the media.

After arriving in Charleston and finally finding a place to park about a mile away from the entry point to the stadium, sports editor Jordan Holland and I got out of the car to start the long day.

I had barely removed myself from the front seat to get my things out of the back when I was asked by a friendly gentleman if I was perhaps interested in buying some tennis shoes.

Always a lover of swap meets, yard sales and the like, I responded to the man on the street and asked what size of shoes he had to offer.

He replied by saying he had a size 11 and 13.

While I generally wear a 10.5 or an 11 depending on the style of shoe, I thanked him and told him maybe next time because we had a track meet to get to.

For the most part, our area programs from the Mid-Ohio Valley had a more than strong showing throughout the two-day event.

We had everything from individual and team state champions to unfortunate injuries, which are part of sports.

I was talking to Parkersburg head boys coach Rod O’Donnell the other day and like several folks I’ve seen making comments online, the Big Reds head man had nothing but praise for the new four class system.

While the four classes give student-athletes more of an opportunity to qualify for a state meet and achieve what might be a once in lifetime opportunity, it also brings with it more pressure on everyone running the meet.

However, myself, many online and coach O’Donnell all wholeheartedly agree everyone associated with the meet from the WVSSAC to the countless officials and volunteers deserve a round of applause.

The same goes for our student-athletes, who appreciate the experiences track has afforded them.

“It’s the greatest,” said Ritchie County senior Kellen Cress of the sport. “Even if you focus on basketball, focus on football, come run track.

“It’s going to make you faster. It’s going to make you better and it’s a fun sport. You got to give track a try.”

PHS senior Landen Deuley also had a similar viewpoint.

“My thing is just being involved,” said the Big Red. “You don’t want to miss out on things because you didn’t take a chance, so just really put yourself out there.

“You’re making new memories, new friends. It’s just a really good thing to do for yourself.”

Speaking of something to do for yourself, I’ll have to remember to bring a chair next year for the media tent since those are also not provided.

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

Did you know that?

I was very disappointed, and you should be disheartened by this change as well. In the past, the state wrestling tournament program cost five dollars, which was actually quite reasonable. I am sure state tournament fans would be willing to pay more for the programs, especially if their son or daughter was competing in the event.

Consider the following professional football game scenario.

Let’s say a family of four is attending a regular season Pittsburgh Steeler football game which lasts about four hours. Their various expenses would include transportation, tickets, parking, sports memorabilia, food and drink, and possibly hotel accommodations. The total price tag would be in the vicinity of $1,500.00.

So, what’s my point?

Well, isn’t it even much more of a thrill watching your own son or daughter qualify and compete in a state championship tournament? Furthermore, memories of your child’s athletic accomplishments will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

To aid in keeping such great athletic moments vividly alive, previous state tournaments in West Virginia have always provided those in attendance, especially parents, the opportunity to purchase souvenir programs. They were keepsakes that the participants could proudly share with their children, and even with their grandchildren later in life.

If people are willing to spend so much money attending a pro football game, certainly such individuals (parents, relatives and sports aficionados) would be more than willing to pay higher prices, even $25.00, for a state souvenir program. I am quite sure that would definitely cover the printing costs of the booklet.

Seriously, folks, do you honestly believe that a digital version of the state program would have the same sentimental value? I doubt it very much. You can’t even purchase the online version of the state program in some states. But even if you could buy the document digitally, it definitely would not have the same significant impact as holding a tangible state tournament program in your hands.

Please note. West Virginia is by no means the only state to go the digital route. In reference to surrounding states: Kentucky, Maryland and Virginia have also gone to the digital state program format. Pennsylvania no longer sells souvenir programs at state competitions. However, you can purchase a hard copy program online. Ohio is the only bordering state that still sells a comprehensive souvenir program at all their state tournaments. For the sake of the participants, parents, relatives, and ardent fans, I hope that the Buckeye State continues to do so.

In closing, I freely admit that I am without question “old school” and technology has passed me by like the speed of light. But most people would agree that positive lifetime sports memories are immensely enhanced by being able to peruse old athletic photos, newspaper clippings, and state championship programs of “by gone” years.

Don’t you agree?

(Bill Welker, EdD, is currently a freelance Op/Ed columnist who enjoys writing articles on sports, education, and any topic that piques his interest. He can be contacted at mattalkwv@hotmail.com)

Beginning last Friday night during a Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals regular season game at Busch Stadium, members of a club baseball team representing Stephen F. Austin sparked a craze which is spreading like wildfire throughout several major league parks.

“Tarps Off” creates an environment similar to hockey arenas and European soccer. Continuous cheering seeking to rally the home team. With one major caveat: Fans, primarily young-adult males, in these designated sections are shirt-less. Shirt waving never stops.

And rarely does the noise. Cases of laryngitis probably set in after nine innings — and highly likely after extra innings, which is how this idea found its origin with these 16 to 18 young men, which eventually grew to hundreds in the same sections located in the second level near the right field foul pole.

The Cardinals walked it off in the 11th inning on Friday night. For Saturday afternoon’s game, a large group gathered in the same area, shirts off of course, even before the Stephen F. Austin team members arrived in the third inning. By the end of the game, more than a thousand individuals had congregated for “Tarps Off.”

As a show of appreciation for these supporters, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol purchased 1,500 tickets to be distributed. His gratitude didn’t stop there. As part of one postgame, he invited the team from Stephen F. Austin into the clubhouse for a meet-and-greet with Cardinal players.

Social media lit up. And even though the Stephen F. Austin players were unable to attend Sunday’s series finale as part of their obligations to compete in the National Club Baseball Division II World Series in Alton, Ill., the sensation has continued in Seattle, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Anaheim, Calif. before a week had passed.

On Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals officially created a “Tarps Off” Fan section in the upper right field bleachers.

Commonly seen with Pittsburgh Steeler fans and waving their “Terrible Towels,” young adults waving their shirts like a rally towel brings a breath of fresh air into ballparks. Just another avenue to generate interest in the sport with the younger generation.

More importantly, sends a message to the players their home fans care and are passionate about the product on the field.

Bravo to these kids for thinking outside the box.

Passing the Time

Spent nearly an hour for Williamstown’s elimination baseball game with Ravenswood to resume following a weather delay. Good idea to have a backup plan in place in order to pass the time, such as listening to humorous banter between husband and wife who were in charge of tracking the official pitch count and working the scoreboard in the pressbox, and deciding who was in charge of making dinner later that night.

Another conversation from inside a dry pressbox: Next potential sport to come into play for the WVSSAC? Heard rumblings in the past, but the idea is gaining steam that girls flag football could become reality sooner than later.

Which season — fall or spring — could be a sticking point.

Playing the Field

In baseball-speak, there’s the immaculate inning, a natural cycle and even the golden sombrero.

In the regional game Wednesday against Williamstown, Ravenswood sophomore Ralphie Rhodes went 4-for-4 at the plate with all singles. Digging deeper into those at bats, Rhodes’ first three singles were hit to three different outfield positions — center, left and right.

His walk-up song for next season should be “Say It Isn’t So” by the 1980s band Outfield.

The Real Bashers

With area representatives Parkersburg South and Ritchie County advancing to the WVSSAC State Softball Tournament, wanted to throw in this factoid about the sport.

The Super Regionals for Division I college softball began this week. UCLA is the 1927 version of the New York Yankees — eight players have hit at least 13 home runs in the Bruins’ 58 games played. UCLA is seeking to add on to its already NCAA record 193 homers.

More impressive, Bruins’ Megan Grant now holds the record with 40 homers in a single season. Her OPS is a smidge off 2.000 (1.989). For major league baseball, 1.000 is the desired threshold.

Those who remember the home run battle in 1961 between Yankee teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, UCLA boasts its own version with Grant at 40 and Jordan Woolery at 34. The NCAA record entering this season was held by Arizona’s Laura Espinoza hitting 37 homers 31 years ago.

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com

If the EASF is the host site, there’s a good chance Mother Nature is going to be in the mix.

Turning the clock back to Saturday afternoon at Don Godbey Fields, the Parkersburg South softball team of head man Tim Burch had to deal with some pesky rain en route to reaching the state softball tournament for the first time since 2012 when current athletics director Jennifer Null guided the Patriots to a Class AAA state runner-up finish.

The Patriots, who are in year one of Class AAAA, have put together quite the season, but they aren’t done yet.

Of course, in the game of softball it helps to have a strong pitcher inside the circle and that’s not lost on Burch.

“When you talk about Annie you just put it on repeat,” quipped Burch of right-hander Annie Shelton. “She stands in there, throws hard and has a wonderful catcher, Abbie Corbin, and she handles her well. She moves the ball really well for her when she needs it moved.

“In these conditions and it’s wet, for the catcher and the pitcher, for that battery, it’s ridiculously tough, but they fought through it. They are gamers. They are players. They are hard workers, even in practice.”

Getting the win against Buckhannon-Upshur and advancing to the state tournament on Tuesday, June 2 was always the goal.

However, it was extra special since it was the final game at Godbey Fields before the Patriots move to their new home next spring at the EASF.

“It’s an amazing senior year,” admitted Jaiden Vargas. “I love these girls, especially in this kind of situation. It’s insane. I’m glad the girls are behind me all the way.

“Godbey has always had a special place in all of our hearts forever since I’ve been here. I started on varsity my freshman year, so now ending in right field my senior year it’s eye-opening.”

The bottom line for Burch was a simple one.

“We clicked when we needed to click and I was very proud of the kids,” said the coach.

Although there’s plenty of talent on the diamond for the Patriots, having a strong left side of the infield that features a pair of seniors in shortstop Shy Hays and third baseman Payten Mackey doesn’t hurt.

“It’s awesome,” Hays admitted while the rain was still coming down. “I mean it’s such a bittersweet feeling and there’s no other team I would want to be with than this one right here.

“We’ve had ups and downs, but to come out on top today it’s just super special and it’s a feeling that we’ve needed for a while.”

Mackey added “It’s honestly just really exciting and I think the team really needed this win. It’s also pretty sweet because I mean we went to states together for volleyball and it’s awesome that for our senior year we get to go one last time together.”

As for Shelton, she’s just happy the Patriots were able to leave the field victorious and secure one of the eight spots in the state tournament.

“I’m glad we went out with a bang here for sure, but last year I’m not going to lie,” Shelton admitted. “We wanted to be there and we didn’t get the job done, so build off that. Let’s just go attack, get better and we knew that we could do it.

“We had people doubting us, but we didn’t doubt ourselves. It feels great and I love my teammates. We all work really well together and we can do this. Let’s go.”

Shelton, who fired a one-hit shutout and also homered along with teammate Annalynn Windland, is just glad to be part of the proverbial band.

“It’s awesome. I love seeing my teammates succeed,” said the sophomore. “I mean to me that means more than anything. I love to succeed myself, but being there for my teammates and like once she (Windland) hit that ball I knew right off the bat like ‘that’s gone.’

“I was so happy for her and we all pulled through. I was happy for everybody. All their success, it just feels so good, especially being a part of it with them.”

Hays and Mackey were key cogs on the Patriots’ state volleyball team for head coach Emily Tracewell, and suffice it to say they are more than stoked to be able to continue their careers together for a little bit longer.

“It’s just like volleyball our sophomore year,” Hays recalled. “Our team hadn’t gone for close to 17 years and then we went again this year for volleyball. It’s just been awesome. A good couple years for South sports in general, especially female sports.

“I feel like we’ve all kind of stepped up and are getting a little bit more recognition for that, which is a good feeling. Just super exciting and ready to see what we can do at states and hopefully make a good run there, too.”

Although the Patriots won’t be favored to bring back a state title to Wood County, that doesn’t bother Mackey.

“I feel like we were definitely kind of like the underdogs,” said the Patriot. “Nobody really expected this from us, but I mean we expected it and I just feel like we’re proving everybody wrong because we had a lot of people doubt us and think we couldn’t make it this far. I’m just so glad we were able to accomplish it.”

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

Student-athletes at all levels get to experience the ups and downs of the wins and losses while also learning what it’s like to work as a team toward a goal.

At least for this scribe, the best part without question when going to cover something is not knowing what’s going to happen.

Last week was definitely interesting on several fronts with the first one being able to take in St. Albans’ Brogan Samms throwing a no-hitter against Parkersburg.

If not for a four-pitch walk to Big Red Noah Holland, the Red Dragon Samms would’ve had a perfect game.

I told him afterward that I’ve been doing this for a long time and I thought it was finally going to be the second time I ever covered a perfect game in baseball.

I had to go look it up on the OHSAA website, but it’s hard to fathom the only perfect game I ever covered came all the way back on April 11 of 2003 when I was lucky enough to see Belpre’s Tom Wolfe pull off the feat at home versus Nelsonville-York.

There’s been a lot of phenomenal efforts lately from the area, but a pair of them from last week stood out to me – Tyler Consolidated’s Brennon Miller recording 19 strikeouts in a game to break Ty Walton’s former school record and the exploits of St. Marys’ Anna Bennett from the Little Kanawha Conference track championships.

Miller got the start at home against Ravenswood, but was lifted after allowing two runs in the first inning by head man Rob Jones.

“It was a wild game going down 6-0 in the third,” admitted Jones, whose squad eventually rallied for a 7-6 walk-off win in 11 innings with Reese Davis earning the mound triumph after pitching the 10th and 11th.

“I lifted Brennon, but I told him we are coming back to you to close this thing out later so be ready.”

Silver Knight teammate Brayden Neff pitched the next two innings before Miller came back in.

“Brennon has been a workhorse for us since his freshman year on the mound,” coach Jones said of the junior, who ran out of pitches after coming back and getting the Silver Knights through nine frames.

“He has had an all-state type of year on the mound and everything came together for him Friday night. Neff hitting the game-tying homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh allowed the extra time Brennon needed to break the strikeout record.”

Miller, who was utilizing his curveball, also throws a slider to go with his fastball.

“It just a cool experience to have,” said Miller, who got to enjoy the win with his teammates after Landon Boggs walked it off with an RBI fielder’s choice.

“When I came back in and pitched they weren’t able to touch my ball after that. Going in there I just felt different. It felt like I was going to do good and it turned out pretty good.”

Doing good is something Bennett and her teammates, no matter the sport, have grown accustomed to.

It’s said success breeds success, but that also comes with a lot of hard work.

No one has to tell that to St. Marys girls track coach Dave Davis when it comes to Bennett.

“She works really hard and it’s fantastic to watch her hard work finally pay off,” he said. “People don’t see all the work she puts in the offseason and what she does behind the scenes, and her workouts at practice everyday. They just see what she does at the meets.”

During last Friday’s LKC meet at Roane County the Blue Devil put on quite the performance, which was highlighted by a record-breaking 800 run of 2:18.37.

Bennett’s clocking eclipsed the old mark of 2:18.53 established by West Virginia University’s Alyssa Sauro back in 2022 when she was a freshman at Williamstown.

“We were really focused on that LKC record, but also being the school record was really, really impressive,” Davis added. “That was super impressive. She’s got a lot in the tank.”

The school record she broke happened to belong to former Mountaineer Maggie Drazba, who had established the mark of 2:18.55 at the regional back in 2012.

“At regionals she just kind of did what she needed to do to get ready for next week,” Davis said of Bennett sweeping the 800, 1600 and 3200 while also running a leg on the regional runner-up 4×4 team.

There’s still a few weeks left for spring sports and time will tell if anymore records go by the wayside.

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

That was the consensus among members of the Parkersburg South softball program after the Mountain State Athletic Conference awarded Cabell Midland the league title without a pitch ever being thrown in the tournament format scheduled Wednesday in South Charleston.

Rain and standing water on the softball fields forced the cancellation of the MSAC Tournament — an event the Patriots were eager to compete in as part of their debut in the conference.

“It was kind of an awkward situation,” South coach Tim Burch said. “It would have been nice for us being the new kids on the block because it is the first year for us in the MSAC.

“With the rain coming in, (MSAC officials) did what they did, and I just nodded my head and left.”

According to seniors Shyanne Hays and Payton Mackey, the team practiced for nearly an hour-and-a-half prior to its semifinal matchup against Hurricane.

When word arrived the four semifinal teams would return home without any game action, players were frustrated. South wanted the opportunity to showcase their game to some of the best big school teams in the state.

“I was pretty upset about it — we started with a good warmup before the rain came, and we were all ready to get the job done,” Mackey said. “Whenever we play as a team and play like we know how, I don’t think there is a team in the state that can beat us.

“When everybody shows up and we have each other’s back and putting the bat on the ball and (South pitcher) Annie Shelton is doing her thing, we are tough to beat.”

Unfortunately for South’s next opponent, there was anger in the sound of the bats as the Patriots belted out six extra base hits — including a pair of solo home runs – in a 14-0, five-inning win over Ravenswood on Thursday.

“Yes, we did hit the ball well,” Burch said. “That’s the whole idea because we want to see different speeds, so we have to be able to hit fast, slow, medium — whatever. We work on that in practice.

“I’m proud of them tonight because they really did hit well. They smashed it all over the field. Even the outs were loud.”

The loudness was only an extension of the planning of Senior Night on Thursday. Fans, players — both home and opposing teams — were treated to a mini-version of a fireworks show as South seniors were introduced onto the diamond.

“I’m Captain Overkill around here — I like the touch,” Burch said.

Topping off the evening of electricity was South sophomore pitcher Annie Shelton, striking out 12 and surpassing 400 in less than two years at the high school level.

Once the postgame huddle broke, Shelton ventured beyond the outfield fence where photo opportunities were being taken with softballs spelling out the number ‘400.’

“I definitely feel like I’m starting to get confident out there on the mound,” Shelton said. “I’m always confident, but I feel like I’m starting to find my groove. That makes me excited and ready to go out there.

“As far as 400 strikeouts, it’s an exciting thing. But honestly, I’m just looking at the next thing coming. Keep reaching goals, keep chasing goals and getting better every day.”

As for missing out on a possible MSAC title, Shelton has moved on.

“It was definitely frustrating for the fact that we were all excited to go out and play,” Shelton said. “I was really excited. But hey, maybe it’s for the best and everything happens for a reason. I am just so excited to see what comes next.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com

Secondly, sometimes school records occur when you least expect it.

For example, take the Williamstown foursome of Chase Pickering, Jimmy Erlandson, Gavin Wilburn and Vincent Zegres.

Their ultimate sights are set on a possible state title in the 4×800. They would have an opportunity to compete in the event at the mid-point of Tuesday’s Fenton Relays, and use the opening event of the afternoon – the rarely seen 4×1600 – as a tune-up.

A tad under 20 minutes from the time the gun fired for the start of the race, these same four individuals achieved something no Yellowjacket boys entry managed to accomplish in nearly years. Break the school standard of 20:07.

“Honestly, I was kind of trying to take it a little bit easy knowing that we had the 48 later,” said Wilburn, who ran the opening leg. “I came through about eight seconds off my regular PR, so it felt like a really controlled effort. We knew what we had to do.”

Williamstown wasn’t in the clear until Pickering running as the second man passed a Wood County Christian runner and took the lead to stay.

“I just kind of paced the pass within the first lap, lap-and-a-half,” Pickering said. “The rest of the way, I’m just kind of by myself, but I was going with a good effort. I was like 20 seconds off my PR – we were kind of just pacing so we would be ready for the next event.”

Next up, Jimmy Erlandson, who ran a similar pace to Wilburn. The Yellowjackets’ margin of victory eventually clocked out at a smidge above a minute and a half, but there was one individual left to close the deal – Vincent Zegres.

“Going into this race, we knew what we were capable of,” Zegres said. “This is a great team of boys and we’ve all trained really hard in the offseason.”

As seniors new to the system, Erlandson and Zegres credited Cliff Taylor for an upgrade on the track.Taylor is a long-time contributor to Williamstown cross country and track.

“We came into this one dedicating this for coach Cliff – we really put it all in there for him,” Zegres said. “He knew this wasn’t an all-out effort for any of us, but he would be proud.”

Basically, the Fenton Relays is the one rare shot runners can break records in the 4×1600 during the course of a season. The majority of meets use a traditional format.

The meet is also widely-known for the throwers 4×100 – an event not scored which allows only throwers from field events to compete.

On Tuesday, several entries brought unique approaches to the race. Wahama originally planned to bring a football helmet into the equation and slide the apparatus on for each of the exchanges in place of a baton.

Race officials’ concern for possible injury nixed that idea, but they did show the White Falcon contingent the reward for winning the event – a large pizza.

As runners walked onto the track, Parkersburg South’s leadoff entrant, Ryland Nichols, held a cell phone to serve as a dual purpose – their baton to hand off to each of the four runners and video the race from their perspective.

In the end, the Williamstown runners – Christian Lockhart, Christian Hoosier, Jackson Melonas and Colin Jones – wearing ski-masks claimed victory.

“Because we are not used to running all relays, it’s a fun meet to be at,” Parkersburg South coach Megan Jones said. “It was fun to get everybody involved, everybody doing something they didn’t do before.

“There is a different feel to the meet, so the kids get more excited about it. And then to see the throwers 4×100 – everybody gets excited about that.”

Of course, can’t forget the ingenuity of Marietta runner Ian Putnam, holding a sign which read, “I’ve been training like LeBron to take you to the prom.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com.

When I was a lot younger I remember taking bus trips to old Riverfront Stadium or we’d make a family day trip and catch a game on a Sunday.

Of course, with my sister having lived in Baltimore for decades I usually spent summers watching Orioles games, or finding my way to Pittsburgh or Cleveland.

One year in Cincinnati we had just parked and were walking around the city and bumped into my then barber Larry Shears.

Perhaps my favorite memory from back then took place in early August of 1987.

My brother David and I, obviously big Reds fans since we were both wearing our youth league baseball uniforms (Elizabeth Reds) to the game, got to watch Eric Davis hit a walk-off bomb in the 11th to beat the Giants, 5-4.

Although it took a lot longer than I ever expected, I finally made my first excursion to GABP on Sunday to take in the Reds versus the Los Angeles Angels, who won 9-6.

However, on Saturday it wasn’t time for baseball just yet, but rather Fieldhouse Cage Fights 3/New Line Cagefighting Fight Night 44.

Overall, I felt it was a really good show, but the most obvious disappointment was not getting to watch Dawghouse Gym’s Tonya Hopkins make her MMA debut.

Obviously, Hopkins was more than ready, having trained hard as she dropped 20 pounds to make weight.

Evidently once her opponent got a good look at her, she opted to scurry away from Memorial Fieldhouse and head back home, leaving Hopkins without a fight.

Now, that wasn’t the case for Ravenswood’s Jordan Varney in his MMA showdown versus the previously undefeated Caiden Armstrong, who not only lost via TKO in the third round but had created some tension via texting with the former Red Devil.

“I felt great man. That’s the best I’ve ever felt for a fight,” admitted Varney, who also trains at the Dawghouse and will be back in action on May 16 in Wheeling to defend his 135-pound foundation fight series title. “I worked on my ground game a lot leading up to it so I knew going in that I didn’t have to worry about his jiu jitsu.

“His striking surprised me in the first round mainly because he tried to smother me, but going into the second I already knew I had the fight won on the feet and on the ground just by the way he was desperately trying to run me down, so I just started flowing like I do in the gym.”

Varney, who will become a father in June when he welcomes a little girl into the world, added “it all felt normal and comfortable to me. Every aspect of the fight I was comfortable and at peace knowing that he couldn’t take me down either, except for that sweep he caught me with, but I fought right back out of it and secured the finish.”

Despite having a texting spat, which was all initiated by Armstrong, Varney held no ill will at the end of the day.

“He was not running his mouth at all. He was being very nice to me at the fights, which I respected and gave him respect back,” Varney explained.

“I think he had already seen the end of the fight before it had taken place. I could see in his eyes the whole time he knew what he had coming for him.”

Well, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect on Sunday at the game as Jose Soriano clashed with Andrew Abbott, but the Reds starting pitcher didn’t have his best stuff.

The Angels were doing their best “Wee” Willie Keeler impression of “hit ’em where they ain’t” as Abbott was lifted after allowing seven earned in three innings.

Soriano’s plight was much better as the hard sinker throwing right-hander dominated the Reds lineup on a season-high 106 pitches with seven frames of two-hit ball and 10 strikeouts.

Improving to 4-0 after the victory, Soriano became the first Angels pitcher since Jered Weaver in 2011 to win his first four starts.

Even though there wasn’t a Mike Trout round-tripper and the only bomb by LA came off the bat of Oswald Peraza, at least we got to see a three-run homer in the ninth by Elly De La Cruz.

Hopefully, I’ll get back to GABP sooner rather than later and also make a return trip to the Red Leprechaun Irish pub.

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com