Saturday, June 02, 2001
CCD reaches state baseball finals
Indians cruise past Windham in semifinal
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLUMBUS — The question posed by public address announcer Rich Hanchette Friday wasn't meant to be funny.
CCD's Steven Daly scores in the third inning.
(Ernest Coleman photos)
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“Are you sure Cincinnati Country Day is playing in the right division?” Hanchette, the announcer for the Columbus Clippers minor-league baseball team, inquired after watching the Division IV Indians bat in the first inning.
CCD's success didn't stop the rest of the game as the Indians went on to defeat Windham 9-1 in the small-school state semifinals at Cooper Stadium.
CCD advances to today's championship game against Toledo Ottawa Hills, a 3-2 winner over Lancaster Fisher Catholic in the first semifinal game.
“We ran into a buzz saw today,” Windham coach Jerry Kiser said. “(Brett) Smith was outstanding, both pitching and hitting. But we made several uncharacteristic mistakes that cost us early.”
Brett Smith, the winning pitcher, also went 3-for-4.
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The Indians took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Roman Duty led off with a double and scored on Smith's triple. Smith then scored on a sacrifice fly by Asif Shaw.
Duty's double was a shot to center field that Windham's James Lade misjudged because of a strong wind blowing from left field to right.
“I led off both regional games and today with a hit and scored all three times,” Duty said. “That's my job, because scoring in the first inning seems to relax the team.”
Again in the third inning, the Indians' bats came alive.
Smith's leadoff double triggered a six-run inning highlighted by a double squeeze bunt by Duty. On the bunt, pinch runner Matt Marshall scored from third base and Steven Daly from second.
“That was a set play,” CCD coach Tim Dunn said. “We had a good bunter at the plate.”
In four innings, Smith allowed one hit and struck out six while walking none.
“My fastball was on today, but I was also hitting the spots with my curve,” Smith said. “The arm feels fine and I can pitch tomorrow if needed.”
Shah, Duty and Ted Appleton each pitched an inning to close it out. Windham's only run came in the seventh inning when Greg McDivitt scored from second on a single by Zack Burns.
CCD catcher Joel Ellison went 2-for-3, and Tyler Wright also collected two hits and had two RBI.
Noah Allen, CCD's pitcher today against Ottawa Hills, is looking forward to the challenge.
“Sure I'll sleep well tonight,” Allen said. “We've talked about winning the state championship all season, and I'll be ready.”
Ottawa Hills coach Chris Hardman plans to use Kevin Crooks, a 6-foot, 165-pound senior right-hander.
“Actually, it will be pitching by committee against Cincinnati,” Hardman said. “All we have to do is win one more, and we'll do it.”
Ottawa Hills and CCD each have won one previous state championship. The Green Bears won in 1986; CCD won in '93.
Duty hopes to lead off the championship game by reaching base and leading the Indians to the title.
“We started thinking we could win after we beat Tipp City Bethel 2-1 for the district championship,” Duty said.
CCD takes a 22-game winning streak into the game and a 29-3 overall record.
The Indians only losses were to Division I powers Moeller, Loveland and Anderson.
Windham ....... 000 000 1—
1 4 2
CCD ....... 206 001 X—
9 11 0
WP: Smith (6 ks), 9-2). LP: McClurg (4 Ks, 4-4). Hitting leaders: C—Duty 2B, 2 RBI; Smith 3-4, 2 3B, 2B, RBI; Shah 2-4, RBI; Ellison 2-3, 2B, RBI; Allen 1-2, RBI; Daly RBI; Wright 2-3, 2 RBI. W—Burns 2-3, RBI. Records: 29-3, W 16-7. Time: 1:30. Attendance: 400.
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