Four-run third inning leads Ridgewood past Strasburg
WEST LAFAYETTE - Ridgewood junior Rayven Davidson didn't expect to pitch in Tuesday's game against Strasburg.
He started the game in right field and remained there through two innings. Trailing 2-0 in the top of the third, coach Chad Lahna decided to wave Davidson in to relieve Kolton Alexander.
"Kolton (Alexander) just didn't have what he normally has (Tuesday), and that's going to happen," Lahna said. "He is still young. But he did keep us in it and gave way to Rayven."
Davidson came in with a runner on first and second. He allowed a single, but then worked his way out of a no-out bases-loaded jam without giving up a run. Both Davidson and Lahna said that inning is what sparked a 5-2 victory for the Generals.
"That's a tough situation for anybody to come in. Sometimes you do your best when you least expect to go in," Lahna said. "I told them after the game that I wasn't sure why it took that to spark a fire, but it did."
"Coach just told me to throw strikes, and I did. We got out of it," Davidson said. "We kept going and telling each other that we could do this."
It took time for the Ridgewood bats to get warmed up. Once Davidson worked out of the trouble in the top of the third, the bats came alive.
Hunter Mizer singled and stole second to begin the bottom of the third. A sacrifice bunt by Zach Wright moved him to third, when Trent Harrison brought Mizer home on an infield single.
Mizer was called safe by the umpire, who believed he slid into home plate ahead of the tag, but the Strasburg fans and coaching staff didn't agree.
From Lahna's line of sight, at third base, he thought Mizer was safe.
"Those are judgement calls. They are at the best position to call what they deem is correct. It looked like Hunter was in front of the tag," Lahna said. "You have to respect what the umpire calls. Balls, strikes, right or wrong, it's just one of those things. In the end, they are here to be fair and just."
After the call, Ridgewood continued a game-changing rally. Brice Hammond doubled to bring home Harrison, tying the game. Alexander doubled to bring home Hammond and Davidson singled, bringing home Alexander.
Five hits in six at-bats had the Generals holding a 4-2 lead entering the top of the fourth inning.
"Once somebody starts it, we go after it and start hitting the ball," Davidson said.
Davidson, who pitched five innings, gave up four hits and struck out three, shutting down any chance of a Strasburg comeback.
"He doesn't always throw strikes, or pound the zone, but today I thought he did," Lahna said. "He let his defense play, and I thought behind him I don't think we had any errors. That makes the game go smoother, and it makes you pitcher feel more comfortable because your defense is behind you."
Ridgewood would pick up an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as Keith Leindecker scored on a passed ball.
The Generals will travel to East Canton on Wednesday and will open the sectional tournament at Barnesville on May 10.
"Right now, we are still playing for second in the league. It's not first, but it's something to build on," Lahna said. "Then we start sectional play a week away, but we can't worry about that. We have to finish out this week and build some momentum."
cteaguerob@gannett.com
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