CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Bridgeport and Wayne have been ranked as the top two Class AA teams in the state for a majority of the season, but Weir and James Monroe will look to spoil that possible title matchup.
Friday, June 2, 5 p.m. – No. 1 Bridgeport (29-7) vs. No. 4 James Monroe (17-12)
Bridgeport a season ago became the first Class AA program to win three straight baseball state championships, joining Huntington East (AAA), Jefferson (AAA) and Van (A) who all accomplished the feat as well.
But none of those teams won a fourth consecutive title – a historical mark in West Virginia high school baseball that Bridgeport looks to achieve this weekend.
“It means a lot to continue our rich tradition that we’ve had in baseball here,” said Bridgeport coach Robert Shields. “Each year it changes with your personnel and this year I’ve very proud of the way we’ve progressed throughout the year.”
The Indians lost nine seniors from their title team from a season ago, but have been able to reload again. Gordon Swiger has been a big part of that on the mound, having won six straight decisions heading into tournament play with a 7-2 record, while Braden Lesher is 6-1 with a 2.24 ERA and Brine Takahashi is 6-1 on the year.
At the plate, senior catcher Drew Hefner has led the way with a .436 average, 11 doubles, four home runs and 45 RBIs. J.T. Harris (.378), Koby Kiefer (.326), Takahashi (.396) and Cooper Hineman (.343) have all hit over .300 as well.
Just one of Bridgeport’s losses this year came to an in-state Class AA opponent. The Indians fell to Elkins back in April, but went on to beat the Tigers twice in sectional play.
“When you win, you’re expected to keep winning and have that work ethic,” Shields said. “These kids have come in with that work ethic to be on top of what they’re doing. They have to look behind them too, because there are kids coming up who could replace them. I’m proud of the way these kids have improved throughout the year.”
James Monroe, meanwhile, is back in the state tournament for the first time since a runner-up finish in 2010.
The Mavericks fought their way to Charleston by winning close games throughout the postseason. All five of their postseason wins came by a combined seven runs.
“I thought we had a shot to get back,” said James Monroe coach Nick Newberry. “We had the core of our team coming back and we had a chance to be pretty good. It’s been about as stressful of a last two or three weeks that I’ve ever been around. Every game we’ve been in has been pretty well contested.j
“It’s been amazing,” he continued. “Everyone has been excited about the team and it’s a really good group of kids. It’s got everyone rejuvenated about baseball down here. It took us a while to get built back up after the 2010 season.”
Grant Mohler has logged the most innings for James Monroe on the mound, entering the state tournament with a 5-4 record and 2.56 ERA in 66 innings. Mikey Belcher is 6-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 45 and 2/3 innings thrown.
At the plate, Mohler is batting .449 with 18 RBIs and 44 runs scored. He’s a significant threat on the bases, collecting an impressive 37 steals in 29 games this season. Colton Bradley (.400), Tripp Shiflett (.292 avg. and 26 RBIs) and Clay Havens (.338) have also led the Mavericks at the plate.
“Bridgeport is always one of the best teams in the state in every sport,” Newberry said. “We don’t have any common opponents, but I’m sure they’re going to be a really good team.
“It’s going to be a special moment for our kids and I’m going to tell them to just enjoy it,” he continued. “We’ve faced elimination three times already this year and been down in late innings in all three of them – we shouldn’t have anything to really be nervous about.”
(50 minutes after first game) – No. 2 Wayne (31-3) vs. No. 3 Weir (18-10)
Two of Wayne’s three losses this season came to Logan during the regular season. But the Pioneers avenged those with two straight wins over the Wildcats in regional play.
It’s the second straight trip to the state tournament for the Pioneers, who returned eight starters from last year’s semifinal club.
It’s just the second Wayne baseball team to win 30 games, joining the 1994 team that went 32-3 and won the Class AA state championship.
“Personally, I’ve not had a 30-win season since I’ve been coaching,” said Wayne coach Todd Ross. “This has been pretty special and these kids have made some good memories for us this year.”
That 1994 title came over Bridgeport, 1-0. A potential rematch on Saturday between the two schools would have state tournament history on the line as the Indians are going for a fourth straight title.
“I know how good of a program they are and these kids have played travel ball and all-star games against (Bridgeport’s) kids,” Ross said of Bridgeport’s overall AA dominance. “They know what kind of kids they are and what kind of program they have. To beat a program like that would mean everything to us.”
The Pioneers, though, will have their hands full on Friday against a Weir team that has been riding a lot of late season momentum.
“Weir has had a good season and played some tough teams,” Ross said. “But the thing that we’re focused on is playing a full seven innings. We were kind of overwhelmed last year after getting down early. Hopefully we have grown a little bit and can come out with a better outcome this year.”
Seniors Dakota McCloud and Cody Noe have led the Pioneers on the mound. McCloud is 7-2 with a 1.57 ERA, while Noe is 8-0 with a 1.54 ERA.
At the plate, McCloud is batting .418 with 40 RBIs and junior Cayden Ross is hitting .406 with 36 RBIs.
Wayne overall has won 15 straight games heading into Friday night’s semifinal.
Weir’s most recent baseball championship came back in 2004 as the school makes its fifth state tournament appearance since 1960.
The Red Riders dominated Berkeley Springs in game one of regional play, 13-0, but needed a deciding game three to advance to Charleston. Weir enters Friday having won eight of its last nine games.
“We lost some early games that we shouldn’t have,” said Weir coach Jason Angle. “We got hot at the right time of the year. In a season of ups and downs, we’re on an up right now and everyone is just ecstatic with what we’re going to do this weekend.”
Michael Mills has been the ace for the Red Riders, coming into the weekend with a 9-1 record, 1.90 ERA and 86 strikeouts.
“He brings everything you could ask for in a high school pitcher, and then some,” Angle said. “He’s a leader, he’s comfortable with his defense behind him and he puts a lot of it on his own shoulders.”
At the plate, Chris Gillettte leads Weir with a .419 average and 21 RBIs. Jake Rosnick is batting .378 with 21 RBIs, Donavan Spencer at .395, Mills at .390 and Jordan Allen at .392.
“Everyone is getting hot at the right time,” Angle said. “That’s why I’m comfortable in saying that we can do some damage, 1-9. The best part about this group is that they are so tight – they do absolutely everything together. They are a loose group and you can tell when they’re going to do well. If they’re acting themselves, then I know they’re going to be okay.”