HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Following Logan’s win over Doddridge County in the Class AA quarterfinals on Monday, Logan head coach Kevin Gertz expressed confidence with his squad going into a semifinal contest with No. 1 seed and defending state champion Wheeling Central Catholic.
“Wheeling Central is unreal,” Gertz said Monday. “But we think we are as good as they are. We are coming out to play.”
On Thursday evening, Gertz’s faith in his club was rewarded as his Wildcats blanked the Maroon Knights to secure a spot in Saturday’s Class AA state championship game.
Logan pitcher Ivan Miller fought command issues early in the outing to toss a two-hit shutout. His 104th pitch produced an infield pop up that was handled and Miller reacted by flinging his glove in the air. Miller struck out six and walked three.
“He’s pretty good, isn’t he? He’s the guttiest guy we’ve got out there. He is the one everyone believes in. He threw a heck of a game against a tremendous ball club,” Gertz said.
“He struggled early with his pitch count. But in the fourth, fifth, sixth, he got it really, really, really under control.”
Logan (23-12) built a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Adam Baisden’s RBI single produced a pair of runs. The Wildcats added another in the fifth with a run-scoring single from Tanner Akers. Logan doubled their lead in the sixth with an RBI single from Jaxon McClung and Miller brought two more runs home with a sharp grounder that found its way into right field.
“It probably did take the wind out of their sails. They thought they were right in it. And I thought they were right in it. They brought the tying run to the plate with their No. 4 hitter up. And that dude can really, really, really swing it. Ivan got out of it. We put three more up there and got to relax a little bit.”
The Wildcats will face the Independence/Frankfort winner Saturday afternoon in the Class AA final.
“Get some rest. Get back to work tomorrow. We have not accomplished what we want to accomplish. We are where we want to be. But we have not finished what we want yet.”
Wheeling Central Catholic (28-6) starting pitcher Steven Brodegard allowed two earned runs in five innings. Clay Petry and Brady Ernest had base hits for the Knights.
MetroNews broadcast interview from Chris Lawrence with Logan head coach Kevin Gertz following the LHS’ 6-0 win over defending champion Wheeling Central Catholic in the Class AA semifinals: #wvprepbase @MetroNewsSports pic.twitter.com/pULgJ8bIww
— Joe Brocato (@joebrowvm) June 11, 2026