WESTERVILLE — Defending a title can be tough, especially when you’re facing the team you beat a year ago.
The Fredericktown baseball team did just that, beating Amanda-Clearcreek for the second year in a row in the Division III Central District finals Wednesday at Olentangy Orange High School.
The victory was not just the second straight over the Aces, it was the fifth straight district title for the Freddies.
“It feels great. We worked really hard to get here,” said Fredericktown senior Alex Selby. “There were some struggles along the way, some close games, but we all came together as a team at the end.
“Expected is a strong term. We always work hard for anything like this. What (Trevor) Jobes has in his hands right now (district title trophy), we worked really hard for. Every year is not guaranteed. We go in expecting to win, but it’s something we work hard for.”
“(A) lot of hard work. These guys have worked really hard,” said Fredericktown coach Ryan Hathaway. “It’s been all about defending it (the district title). It’s something we started talking about in February and to get here in May is a long and stressful road. We try to keep them on track.
“I thought they’ve done an excellent job just working hard and being a great team and great teammates.”
The experience of being there before helped the Freddies survive what could have been an inauspicious start to the game.
The Aces had five runners reach first base in the opening inning, but were only able to score one run thanks to some good defense and great pitching.
After Ryan Chambers reached on an error to start the game, Selby came up with a nice double play to slow down the Aces. Selby, the Freddies’ shortstop, cheated closer to second base when A-C batter Trenton Hedges came to the plate.
Hedges hit a chopper up the middle that Selby was able to easily grab, step on second base and throw quickly to first for a double play.
That play only stopped the bleeding momentarily as Amanda-Clearcreek got two singles, a walk and a hit by pitch to score once and still have the bases loaded.
Fredericktown pitcher Luke Bean then stepped up big time, catching A-C designated hitter R.J Hall on a called third strike to end the threat.
That would be the last time the Aces truly threatened until the sixth inning.
Bean’s strike out also fired up the Freddie offense.
Brady Lester started off a huge bottom half of the inning with a hard infield single. After Kaid Carpenter walked, Trevor Jobes laid down the perfect sacrifice bunt, only to beat out the throw to first. Jackson Doup then had a sacrifice fly to center field to score Lester.
The Freddies (19-6) then patiently took advantage of a tight strike zone to record walks from Bean, Xavier Mullins and Braden Sapp to score two more runs.
“We knew if we were just patient and stayed aggressive still, but were still a little picky. I think that’s what got us the win,” said Freddie centerfielder Brady Lester.
The three runs settled down the Freddies and Bean.
The junior hurler didn’t allow another hit until the sixth inning, where he also contributed to the great defense the Freddies were playing. After A-C’s Kansas Rhymer singled to lead off the inning, Bean made a nice sliding play and out on a sacrifice bunt by Hall.
He then got the final out with runners on the corner to stop the Ace threat.
“After the first inning, I think we settled in. I thought it could have gone a couple different ways there. When you give up one in the first, it’s kind of a stressful moment. But, when you get three and you answer back like that, it gives Luke a lot of confidence,” Hathaway said.
“It’s his second game he’s started. We just let him ride. After the first inning, we were a little nervous that we might have to bring in somebody right away. But, he settled in and our guys were on base and got some back.”
The Freddies were able to add single runs in the second and fourth innings, thanks to a patient approach at the plate and an aggressive one on the basepaths.
Carpenter scored in the second after reaching on an infield single. He beat the throw from the third baseman to first, but also moved to second when it got away from the A-C first baseman. Carpenter then stole third and scored when the catcher’s throw sailed into the outfield.
Lester added the final tally in the fourth in the same manner. After a single, he was safe at second on another throwing error. A wild pitch and wild throw helped him cross home plate safely.
“I felt like we kept our energy up,” Lester said. “We knew something was going to happen (with our hitting). His fastball was flat and that’s exactly what we did. We kept the energy the whole way. That’s what got us the win.”
The Freddies were led offensively by Lester and Carpenter, who each had two singles. Trevor Jobes added a bunt single, while Doup, Mullins and Sapp all drove in runs.
Bean allowed just four hits on the day, walking three and hitting two batters. He also struck out two.
“He (Bean) just came out and threw strikes. He understood with this wind blowing in and the defense he had behind him,” Hathaway said.
“The way our defense played tonight, we had n’t played a game like that all season. All around everybody was out there and it seemed like they were ready to go defensively. Luke did a great job of throwing a lot of strikes, not giving up any extra bases to them.”
Amanda-Clearcreek was led by Rhymer, who had two singles and drove in the only run. Hedges started on the mound for A-C, striking out six, but allowing six walks and four hits. Payton Cassley pitched the final two innings, allowing four walks and a hit while striking out three.
Wednesday’s title was celebrated by a large crowd of family and fans, including Hathaway’s own. The sacrifices made by the families, especially those of his coaching staff, weren’t lost on Hathaway.
“Our coaches, coach (Chris) Sipes and (Hunter) Huvler, they’re always there for us and the guys. They work extremely hard. It doesn’t go unnoticed by me. The time they put in during the season. It all makes everything function well. I just want to thank those guys,” Hathaway said.
The Freddies will now play in the regional tournament on Thursday, June 2, at Elida High School at 5 p.m. Their opponent is yet to be determined.
The Norwalk district begins Thursday with Castalia Margaretta, Genoa Area, Milan Edison and Bucyrus Wynford all in the mix.
“Honestly, we’ve just got to get over that hump now. We’ve been here many times and it’s just time to take that next step forward and keep pace with the softball team (which plays in the regional finals on Saturday). They came out of nowhere and won the district and now are in the regional finals,” Hathaway said.
“It’s fun. To have this going on this spring at Fredericktown is phenomenal.”
The Freddie baseballers haven’t advanced past the regional semifinals since the 2012 team made it to state.
