Saturday, April 03, 1999
CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
Baker pitches New Richmond to win
Josh Baker pitched only six innings during the 1998 baseball season, but the New Richmond senior never became discouraged.
“We had a strong pitching staff last year and Josh couldn't break into the rotation,” first-year coach Brian Benzinger said. “He worked hard during the offseason and came ready to pitch.”
On Friday against Western Brown in the Southern Buckeye Conference opener, Baker scattered three hits as the Lions downed the Broncos 13-1.
“Josh had a perfect game until two outs in the sixth inning,” Benzinger said. “He isn't overpowering but has good control and throws fairly hard.”
In two outings, Baker has allowed only four hits in 14 innings. When not pitching, Baker plays third base.
• Glen Este 7, Milford 6 — When Glen Este coach John Hatfield decided to try junior Brandon Christin as a relief pitcher in the seventh inning, there was a sense of uncertainty.
“We have a lot of new faces and Brandon is one of them,” Hatfield said. “He played on the JV team last year and had a nice season.”
Christin came through in a big way for the Trojans.
He shut Milford down in the bottom of the seventh and also drove in what proved to be the winning run with a single.
• Little Miami 14, Madeira 6 — When starting pitcher Jason Schearer and reliever Brian Cupp complained of sore arms during Thursday's game, Little Miami coach Greg Short decided to give Jason Day a chance.
“The junior varsity didn't have a game today so we decided to dress Jason,” Short said, “He struggled last year but looked pretty good today.”
In two innings, Day struck out three Madeira batters and didn't allow a run.
“I wouldn't say that Jason has earned a spot on the varsity,” Short said. “But he'll get more opportunities to pitch for the varsity a few more times this season.”
David Dufour hit a home run and drove in three runs.
• Madeira 7, Goshen 6 — Memories of a early afternoon loss to Little Miami were quickly erased when Jon Newberry drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth.
John Elfring pitched two inning to pick up the victory. His single in the ninth advanced Kenny Fields to third base and set the stage for Newberry's RBI.
• North College Hill 15, Finneytown 4 — Gary Floyd wasn't expected to pitch a substantial number of games for a Trojans team loaded with talent.
But after Friday's eight-strikeout, four-run outing, Floyd can't be overlooked by second-year coach Ben Smith, whose Trojans are off to a 4-1 start.
Tony Samad doubled in two runs in the four-run third inning.
Softball
• Ripley 5, Fayetteville 3 — Amanda Wilson had struggled with the bat during the first three games for Ripley, but the Bluejay junior came through in a big way Friday against Fayetteville.
Wilson's single drove in two runs in the top of the sixth inning, rallying Ripley to the come-from-behind victory, its fourth in as many outings.
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