Mount Vernon News

DUBLIN — There are no slackers on the Fredericktown High School boys baseball team roster — just ask head coach Matt Smith. The Freddies played solid baseball in every aspect of the game Monday evening, taking out Bishop Ready, 11-9, in the Division III Central District Semifinal game at Dublin Coffman High School.

“We played as a team and we had a never-say-die attitude,” said Smith. “We’ve been in some close ballgames this year, and we responded to this challenge. My hat is off to Bishop Ready; this was a war tonight. We had to battle and we did some things well. We definitely earned the right to play Wednesday, but we have some things we need to sharpen up on.”

The Freddies attacked early, when senior Ryan Hathaway sent the Knights’ fifth pitch of the game into center field to get a lead-off single. Hathaway stole second, then advanced to third on a groundout by Kodi Weikel. C.J. Ruhl then stepped to the plate and grounded out to the shortstop, but Hathaway’s speed got him across the plate before Bishop Ready could make a play on him at home.

The Knights scored one run in the top of the second inning; the Freddies retaliated by scoring five in the bottom of the second. Brad Bishop sent a liner to right-center field that was good for a double, bringing up the catcher, Scott Love. Thanks to a fielding error from the Ready second baseman, Love was safe and so was Bishop. Ty Fox walked to load the bases for Fredericktown’s No. 9 hitter, freshman Tyler Hathaway.

Tyler Hathaway was patient, and sent a 2-1 pitch to deep left-center field, scoring two runs and earning a double. Tyler’s older brother, Ryan, stepped to the plate to send a 2-2 pitch over the right-center fence, scoring three more runs and giving the Freddies a 6-1 lead after two innings.

“This team believes in one another, and we all believe in Tyler,” said Smith. “I have no doubts about putting him in the lineup, because he is going to deliver. He plays a great second base and a great outfield — he is our utility guy. At the nine hole, he is going to get his cuts.”

But a drought came over the bats of the team wearing red and gray; Fredericktown was held scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning. Unfortunately for the Freddies, the Knights had taken an 8-6 lead.

C.J. Ruhl stepped to the plate and tattooed his first pitch of the inning, sending it into right field. Merrit Zollars, Fredericktown’s ace pitcher who rested his arm by playing left field, was hit with a pitch, giving Fredericktown two base runners with no outs. Ruhl scored on a passed ball, then a walk by Bishop Ready put runners on the corners. Zollars tagged up and scored on a fly ball to deep right field by Love, allowing Fredericktown to tie the game at 8.

“This was a team win today, it took everyone on our roster,” said Smith. “Billy Whirl threw the ball well today, we just didn’t field it behind him. He deserved a better fate, but then Ruhl came in and pounded the ball with good velocity. One of our strengths this year is the fact that we have several good pitchers.”

One inning later, the Freddies were down once again, but this time not by as much. Tyler Hathaway stared at a 9-8 deficit, but refused to let his team down. He laid off several hanging knuckle balls to draw a lead-off walk. The next batter, Ryan Hathaway, hit a single to put two runners on with no outs. Ruhl walked and Zollars walloped a ball into right-center field , scoring two runs and giving the Freddies a lead they never lost. Ruhl went on to score on a single by Bishop, but Zollars’ double would be marked in the books as the game-winning hit.

“We had bases loaded with one out, and I knew I needed to get a solid hit,” said Zollars. “He threw me a curve, and I went right up the middle with it. I was looking for a fastball because I was up in the count; I had already started my swing, but I waited back long enough to get a hit out of it.

“This game was huge, because you’re one-and-done at this point. We have big goals as a team, and winning this game is just part of that.”

With the Freddies in the lead, the Knights had one more shot at a win in the top of the seventh. With a man on, Bishop Ready’s No. 3 hitter sent a pitch deep into left-center field that was very close to the fence. In an audacious play, center fielder Ryan Hathaway leaped several feet in the air to catch the ball and end the game.

“Ryan Hathaway is the best center fielder in the Central District, and I don’t say that lightly,” Smith said. “I’ve been around the game of baseball my whole life, and I think people in this Central District will have their eyes open to how good of a player No. 3 is.”

The Freddies’ outstanding pitching rotation was clear on Monday night. Fredericktown started Whirl, who went 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs off six hits. Instead of bringing in their No. 1 pitcher, the Freddies brought in the sophomore Ruhl, who tossed the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs off one hit to pick up the win.

“This was our biggest game of the year so far,” said Ruhl. “We just need to keep making the routine plays, and keep hitting the ball. I just wanted to come in and throw strikes, and let my defense make plays behind me. That’s what you have to do as a pitcher. Ryan’s catch at the end — he’s been making plays like that all year, so we kind of expect it from him.”

The Freddies will be back in action, Wednesday, taking on Marion Pleasant at Dublin Coffman for the district title at 4:30 p.m.