PITTSBURGH — The Morgantown High School baseball team played three games in the span of 24 hours between Friday and Saturday, with the final being played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates of major league baseball.
The Mohigans (14-3) played the opening game of the Pittsburgh High School Baseball Classic, hosted by the Pirates organization, Saturday against Ringgold High School out of Washington County in Pa.
The Rams (4-6) defeated the Mohigans 5-1, and while a win is always nice, head coach Pat Sherald said the game at PNC Park was an experience neither he nor his players will forget.
“It’s such a cool experience today and I just try and look at it through the kids’ eyes,” Sherald said after the game. “I tried to just give us a situation where we could go and have a great opportunity as a high schooler to come and play at one of the best ballparks in the world. It’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Whatever nerves were present early on weren’t coming on the pitcher’s mound, as both starters earned three straight outs to open the game. MHS outfielder Drew Bailey ended the first with an incredible diving catch on a line drive headed for the gap in left-center.
MHS went hitless in the second inning also, but the Rams got it going on offense in the bottom half with a two-out single that drove in a runner from second base, opening the scoring at 1-0.
The Mohigans responded early, finally getting a baserunner in the top of the third and a two-out RBI single of their own from catcher Ty Galusky. A blooper into shallow left field allowed Dylan Travinski to come around from second to tie the game. This would be the only run for MHS however, as Ringgold posted a run in every inning but the fifth.
MHS earned six hits as a team, coming from six different players. After the game, a few of the seniors reflected on the chance to play on a field like PNC Park despite the outcome.
“It was the coolest experience of my life,” senior left-fielder Caleb Neer said after the game. “Most of us will never have the chance to be able to play somewhere like this ever again and it’s really cool to have the opportunity.”
Neer tallied one of the six MHS hits on the day and got the start in left field. His fellow senior Lance Whanger, who started at third base, also earned a hit for the Mohigans and mentioned comparing visiting PNC as a kid, to now playing on the field.
“I’ve been here a couple times to watch games in the past,” Whanger said. “I was most interested to see how the field conditions played being a pro stadium and it was great.”
MHS will have some much-needed rest on Sunday and Monday before another trying contest when Bridgeport visits Mylan Park on Tuesday evening. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m.
Ringgold 5, Morgantown 1
MHS 001 000 0 – 1 6 1
RHS 012 101 X – 5 7 2
Ringgold – Glasser 3012, Cantini 4110, Hamie 4001, Suss 0100, Kolano 3000, Frizzel 3100, Mackey 2121, Winberg 1000, Ray 3000, Lessman 2011
2B: Cantini
Morgantown – Dorkins 4000, Galusky 2011, Nutter 2000, Jamison 1000, Mazey 2000, Fluharty 2000, Silvers 2010, Neer 2010, Anderson 2000, Cottle 2000, Wolfe, 1000, Bailey 2010, Mcdonald 1000, Travinski 2110, Boggs 1000, Whanger 1010
WP: Lessman 4.0ip 5h 1r 1bb 5k, Frizzel 3.0 1h 0r 2bb 4k
LP: Bradley 2.0ip 4h 3r 1bb 2k, Eddy 2.0ip 1h 1r 1bb 3k, Milik 2.0ip 2h 1r 2bb 4k
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