Missed opportunities end Generals' season

Brandon Hannahs
Coschocton Tribune

COLUMBUS - Ridgewood had the opportunity to race out of the gate.

The Generals hit three singles to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the first inning of Friday's Division III regional final.

But they were unable to capitalize, as Minford pitcher Ethan Lauder notched a strikeout and induced a flyout to end the threat.

It was the tone setter for both. The Falcons rode Lauder's arm and a three-run fourth inning to a 4-1 win at Ohio State's Bill Davis Stadium

Ridgewood finished the season 21-11, while Minford (24-2) advanced to Thursday's state semifinal at Huntington Park.

"We were in the same situation (as the regional semifinal), but couldn't get the job done," Ridgewood coach Chad Lahna said. "There were some nerves and maybe we were pressing at the plate. We didn't play our best today, but hats off to Minford and best of luck to them."

Koleten Smith, Memphis Cutshall and Kolton Alexander each singled in the first for the Generals, but Alexander's was softly hit, not allowing Smith to score. Zach Wright and Connor Kunze were retired by Lauder to keep the game scoreless.

The Falcons scored on a passed ball with two outs in the second, but Nick Morton doubled, and two batters later, Kaden Smith's two-out single scored Morton, tying the game at 1 for Ridgewood.

The fourth proved to be the difference, as the Falcons used three straight hits to break the game open. Nathan McCormick roped a one-out double to the gap in left field and Reid Shultz followed with a single to put runners at the corners.

Payton Davis then singled home McCormick, Shultz scored on a sac bunt by Bailey Rowe, and Elijah Vogelsong-Lewis' two-out single scored Davis for a 4-1 lead.

Minford coach Aaron Hopper credited Lauder for battling early and his offense for adjusting to Alexander on the mound.

Lauder scattered nine hits and struck out nine in the complete game victory.

"I don't know how many times (Lauder) has loaded the bases with one out and escaped this postseason. It was an excellent outing against a great team," Hopper said. "(Kolton) was pitching us away, and our guys did an excellent job going with his pitches."

The Generals had at least one runner reach in all but one inning. Their best opportunity after the first came in the fifth when Morton was hit by a pitch with two outs and Chase Minet followed with a single. However, Kaden Smith struck out to end the frame.

The top three batters in the Ridgewood order, Kaden Smith, Koleten Smith and Cutshall, each had two hits.

Kolton Alexander prepares to throw a pitch during Ridgewood's 4-1 loss to Minford on Friday in a Division III regional final at Ohio State's Bill Davis Stadium.

Alexander went the distance in the loss. He gave up nine hits with five strikeouts, but did not record a strikeout after the third.

Alexander, Morton, Zach Wright, Jarett Slusser and Jordan Orlando, the five seniors, will move on, but the Generals bring back a group of experienced sophomores.

Lahna thanked his seniors and hopes the underclassmen can build on this postseason run, which ended with the program's third regional final appearance.

The Generals have never reached the final four.

"Hats off to our five seniors. We started the season 1-5 then won seven straight, and it started with their leadership," Lahna said. "This team has set the standard. It shows we can get to this point and hopefully, one day we can get over this hurdle.

"I have the sophomores for two more years and the freshmen for three so having this experience is something I hope drives them."

Alexander was disappointed in the outcome, but knows it was a team effort to make history.

"We missed opportunities and couldn't string hits together," he said. "Everyone did what they were supposed to. (The seniors) were leaders, and we wouldn't have been here without (the underclassmen)."

bhannahs@gannett.com

740-450-6763

Twitter: @brandonhannahs