2023 Cambridge Bobcats

[BobcatQB]

https://www.daily-jeff.com/story/sports ... eHTgMgYvp0

The stats in the article are not correct. For some reason, he combined some career stats with last year's. Valentine has career 90 K's and 30 BB's, last season was 44 K's and 14 BB's. Ogle was 4-0 last year with 2.211 ERA, 8-1 in career with 1.49 ERA.

Bobcats looking to make another run at Buckeye 8 championship

Kevin Sutton
The Daily Jeffersonian

CAMBRIDGE − Cambridge High School's varsity baseball team enters a new season with plenty of experience all over the diamond, with five three-year lettermen leading the way for fifth year head coach Jamaal Lowery.

With plenty of experience and a deep, talented pitching rotation the Bobcats seem primed to improve on last year's 15-6 record and defend their Ohio Valley Athletic Conference 4A championship.

Seniors Jake Valentine (P/OF/1B), Regan Rogers (C/3B), Caden Moore (SS/OF/P), Angelo Rocco (C/3B) and Andy Ogle (P) will lead the Bobcats attack this season.

"Coming off a OVAC 4A title and 15-win season, we look to still be on top of the Buckeye 8 as we finished runner-up in the championship game last year," Lowery said. "We look to compete for another OVAC title as well and make a deep playoff run. We have these seniors that have played on a big stage in their high school careers, And I expect them to finish in a very strong way."

Valentine returns as the ace of the CHS rotation, coming off posting a 2-2 record in 40.2 innings pitched last year with 90 Ks, 30 BB. Valentine tossed his second career no-hitter last season and holds a 6-5 career mark with an impressive .943 career ERA.

"Jake will be the ace again this year, and will be his third year holding that job," Lowery offered. He will also be in the middle of the lineup as he swings a solid stick. We are expecting some big things from Jake this year."

Valentine finished with .362 batting average and .507 slugging percentage last year and banged out five doubles, one triple, one home run and a team high 21 RBIs. For his efforts, Valentine received First Team Eastern District, First Team Buckeye 8, First Team Ohio Valley Athletic Conference and was the OVAC Championship MVP.

Ogle racked up an 8-1 record on the mound, working 31.2 innings with 32 Ks, 12 BB and another fine ERA at 1.16.

Moore was a steady option on the mound as well, tossing 23 innings and posting yet another low ERA at .913. On offense Moore checked in at .264 with a pair of doubles and seven RBIs.

"Caden had a great year in the outfield last season and on the mound," Lowery said. "Caden will be a leader of this team and hold down the 2 or 3 spot on the pitching depth chart. He will also be hitting at the top of our lineup."

Other viable pitching options include senior two-year letterman Davion Bahr (P/OF) who worked 11.2 innings last season with a .600 ERA, and junior two-year letterman Keaton Kyser (P/OF/INF), who logged 10.1 innings on the mound a year ago with a 1.61 ERA.

Rogers will be the main man behind plate for the third straight season, and be a vital cog in the batting order as well. Rogers out up a team high .368 average last year with eight doubles, nine RBIs and a slugging percentage of .485.

Rogers received First Team Eastern District along with First Team OVAC honors for his solid work a year ago for the Bobcats.

"Regan will once again be the commander behind the plate," Lowery explained. "He does a great job handling our staff and swings a big bat for us. He's coming off a big year and I expect that again from him this season."

Rounding out the varsity roster and battling for playing time are senior Lucas Parson (OF/P), junior Brayden Gregg (INF/OF/P), sophomore Konnor McIntire (OF) and freshmen Dawson Geese (P/OF), Mason Gregg (INF/P) and Garrett Carpenter (OF/P).

Cambridge's JV team includes juniors Cameron Weaver (OF/INF) and Coen Stoner (INF/OF), sophomores Carson Campbell (OF), Jacob Eltringham (OF/P), Rylee Wilson (INF/P), David Martinez (OF), and freshmen Mason Gregg (INF/P), Seth Watkins (C/OF), Bryce Hearing (OF), Dawson Geese (P/OF), and Michael Micale (INF/OF/P).

Lowery's coaching staff includes John Valentine, Austin Campbell and Lee Stoner this season.

In sizing up the race for the Buckeye 8 championship, Lowery expects his Bobcats to make another run at the title this year.

"I see us in there competing for a Buckeye 8 championship just like last year," Lowery offered. "There will still be plenty of pretty good competition with St. Clairsville, Harrison Central and Indian Creek. But I feel good about our chances of coming out on top."

Cambridge will host Waterford on Saturday at noon at Don Coss Stadium to kick off the new season.

[danicalifornia]

Always nice to return experience and excellent pitching

Hopefully the weather holds off and they can get more games in this season

[GeneralCarpenter]

Not looking too good. Not impressed

Didn't post it for your approval tough guy.

His team went 2-23. It’s gotta be a troll

[SG REBEL]

Not looking too good. Not impressed

Didn't post it for your approval tough guy.

His team went 2-23. It’s gotta be a troll

They might be worse

[BobcatQB]

Not looking too good. Not impressed

Didn't post it for your approval tough guy.

His team went 2-23. It’s gotta be a troll

Haha..jealous people everywhere. 2-23..that’s funny.

[BobcatQB]

Offensive outburst sparks Cambridge past Zanesville

Brandon Hannahs
Zanesville Times Recorder

ZANESVILLE — It may have been Cambridge's first game, but the offense looked in midseason form on Tuesday.

The visiting Bobcats collected eight hits during a 17-run third inning and routed Zanesville 20-0 in a five-inning mercy at Jay Payton Field.

Cambridge led 1-0 through two innings before putting the game out of reach. Davion Bahr's two-run single started the surge, while Andy Ogle followed with a RBI single and Lucas Parsons singled home a pair of runs to make it 6-0.

Regan Rogers drove home two runs with another single later in the frame, while Ogle, Caden Moore and Rogers each added two-run hits to cap the offensive outburst as Cambridge led 18-0.

Rogers finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, Garrett Carpenter added a 3-of-3 effort with two runs, Ogle totaled two hits, four RBIs and two runs scored, Moore finished with two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored, and Valentine and Bahr also had two hits apiece as the Bobcats totaled 15 as a team.

Valentine also earned the win, allowing one hit and fanning two in three innings, while freshman Dawson Geese fanned four and allowed one hit in two innings of relief.

Evan McBride catches a fly ball during Zanesville's 20-0 loss to visiting Cambridge on Tuesday at Jay Payton Field in Zanesville.
Valentine hit a RBI double in the first inning to put Cambridge up 1-0, while Carpenter had a RBI single in a two-run fourth for the Bobcats.

Cambridge coach Jamaal Lowery was pleased to see the bats find their groove despite the chilly conditions. He also applauded Valentine's efficiency on the mound, throwing just 32 pitches.

"We cracked the ice early by getting our leadoff runners on, and we found our timing (in the third)," Lowery said. "For us to be successful, we have to move runners when we get them on base. We work on base running every day, and that's what we pride ourselves on. We did a good job of that tonight.

"Jake went out and threw well. We didn't want to overextend him after he sat for a long time in the third," he added. "We got to get Dawson, a freshman, in to a spot he will see. That's going to be his role, and he did well."

Zanesville's Canon Mercer fires to first base during Tuesday's 20-0 loss to Cambridge at Jay Payton Field.
Zanesville was looking to build off Monday's win at Marietta. However, the Blue Devils were held to a pair of singles, one each by Caleb Underwood and Christian Ramirez.

Underwood also took the loss, allowing 11 runs, two earned, on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. He also gave up four of the team's eight walks.

Each game will provide valuable experience, noted first-year ZHS coach Austin Jones. His focus is seeing improvement every day on the diamond.

"We're working on our mindset. We want our guys to battle during every at-bat and not back down no matter the situation," Jones said. "We're super young, but we're not going to use that as an excuse. We want to focus on developing players and seeing progression. We want our guys to learn how to compete and work on getting better every day."

https://www.daily-jeff.com/story/sports ... 055302007/

[BobcatQB]

Game 2

WP - Andy Ogle, CG, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K

Regan Rogers - double, 3 RBI
Jake Valentine - single, 3 RBI
Garrett Carpenter - 2 singles
Brayden Gregg - single, RBI
​​​​​​​
Cambridge 11, Waterford 1

Host Cambridge High improved to a perfect 2-0 on Wednesday with an 11-1 five-inning mercy over Waterford at Don Coss Stadium.

CHS had the offense cranked up with 11 runs in just four at-bats, including a four run second inning along with a six run explosion in the third.

In the second inning, Garrett Carpenter sparked the rally with a single to right field. Andy Ogle followed with a single to centerfield that moved Carpenter to third. A walk to Brandon Gregg loaded the bases and a Wildcat error allowed Caden Moore to reach base and Carpenter to score.

With Regan Rogers at the plate, Ogle scored on a passed ball and Rogers loaded the bases again when he drew a walk. Jake Valentine picked up two RBIs with a single to right field to make the score 5-1.

In the third, Angelo Rocco drew a base-on-balls to start the inning. Carpenter reached on a fielder’s choice with Rocco safe at second. Ogle walked to load the bases before Bradyn Gregg singled to centerfield to plate Rocco. Carpenter scored on a passed ball before Keaton Kyser loaded the bases again when he was hit by a pitch.

Rogers delivered the big blow with a double to the left field that scored Ogle, Gregg and Kyser and made the score 10-1 with two outs. Rogers then scored from second on a wild pitch that was lost by the Waterford catcher.

Senior Andy Ogle, allowed a first inning run and then settled in. Ogle retired six of the final seven batters to close out the game and pick up his first win. Ogle struck out eight, walked one and only gave up on three hits in the game.

NEXT − Cambridge will host Bellaire in the Buckeye 8 opener Friday, 5 p.m. at Don Coss Stadium.

[BobcatQB]

Game 3

Cambridge (3-0) - 2
Bellaire (1-2)  - 1      8 Innings

WP - Jake Valentine, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 9 K
Save - Dawson Geese

Garrett Carpenter - 2 singles
Keaton Kyser - single, RBI

Cambridge baseball edges Bellaire in extras

The Daily Jeff

BELLAIRE — Keaton Kyser's two-out single in the top of the eighth inning brought home Garrett Carpenter for the winning run, as visiting Cambridge edged Bellaire 2-1 and improved to 3-0 after a Buckeye 8 win on Monday.

Jake Valentine earned the victory, fanning nine and allowing one run on three hits in seven innings, while Dawson Geese pitched a perfect eighth for the save.

Cambridge broke up a scoreless game in the third inning when Carpenter scored on a wild pitch, but the Big Reds answered in the home half with Heatherington's RBI single.

The Bobcats only had four hits with Carpenter collecting two singles and Caden Moore also hitting a single.

[BobcatQB]

Game 4

Cambridge (3-1) - 8
St. Clairsville (6-0) - 9

Jake Valentine - 2 singles, RBI
Regan Rogers - 2 singles, RBI
Angelo Rocco - single, 2 RBI
Keaton Kyser - single, RBI
Garrett Carpenter - single, RBI

The Red Devils scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to hand the Bobcats their first loss.

Regan Rogers and Jake Valentine had two singles and a RBI to lead the Cambridge offense, while Keaton Kyser had a single with a RBI and two runs scored and Angelo Rocco added a single and two RBIs.

Dawson Geese suffered the loss in relief, allowing three runs on three hits in three innings. Andy Ogle started, giving up six runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. Both had two strikeouts, while Ogle had four walks and Geese two walks.

[BobcatQB]

Game 5

Cambridge (4-1) - 6
Bellaire (1-4) - 1

WP - Caden Moore, CG, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K


Game 6

Cambridge (4-2) - 0
Tri Valley (5-2) - 1

Cambridge 4 singles, Tri Valley 2 singles.

https://www.daily-jeff.com/story/sports ... 088132007/


Duel in Dresden: Harney, Tri-Valley edge Cambridge, 1-0

Dawgs, Cats combine for six hits, one run as pitchers shine

Sam Blackburn
Zanesville Times Recorder


DRESDEN — There was a tournament-like feel to Tri-Valley's home game with Cambridge on Saturday, where every play was magnified and offense was precious.

In the end, the Scotties made the most of their opportunity — the Bobcats did not.

Down 1-0, veteran Cambridge loaded the bases with two outs against starter Bennet Baker in the top of the fourth inning.

But Scottie ace Landon Harney entered in relief and got an inning-ending strikeout, and Tri-Valley held on for a 1-0 nonleague win at Kenny Wolford Park.

It was precisely the way Tri-Valley coach Marc Hadley was hoping his team would respond from Thursday's loss at New Lexington, when the offense was silenced by the pitching of Isaac McGill.

The offense did just enough against the Bobcats, scoring its only run on Bennet Baker's bases-loaded fielder's choice with one out in the first inning. The Scotties had only two runners reach second base in the final six innings.

"After Thursday at New Lex, I was questioning whether or not we'd be able to hold (the lead)," Hadley said. "But we threw a ton of strikes and made just enough plays. Like their coach (Jamaal Lowery) said, every pitch you could just feel the pressure in the air. It's going to make both of us better."

Harney, still building up his arm after suffering a stress fracture in his back suffered last summer, tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts.

None were bigger than his first, which came in among the most stressful situations after Angelo Rocco and Davion Bahr hit one-out singles to start the Bobcat rally.

The pressure didn't affect Harney, who has grown accustomed to pitching in relief this season.

"I love those situations," Harney said. "You always have to love those situations, especially when you're on the good end of it. Of course, you always end up on the bad at some point. That's just part of it. It gets pretty tense when there are people on base, too. It makes it a little tougher, but it's always fun."

It was emblematic of the type of pitching both teams presented. Harney and Baker combined for nine strikeouts and four hits allowed; Cats starter Davion Bahr and reliever Mason Gregg yielded just two hits and three walks.

Gregg pitched four innings of scoreless, no-hit relief.

"It was all about who was going to pitch and catch the best," Harney said.


Lowery's team was down to their fifth and sixth pitching options for the game after playing multiple league games earlier in the week, but the numbers certainly didn't indicate as much.

He was happy to see a pitcher of Harney's caliber, which he said is rare in nonleague play, especially on a Saturday.

"That right there had a postseason vibe," Lowery said. "If you can get games like that early, it's just going to help you in the long run."

He lamented the missed chance with the bases loaded. Given the nature of the game, it felt like a substantial moment. He wasn't pleased with the strikeouts.

"In those spots I'm gritting my teeth ready to go, because I want to hit guys in," Lowery said. "Our mentality with our approach at the plate wasn't there today. ... To get where we want to go this season, that's the kind of arm we're going to have to beat."

Otherwise, he came away pleased with his team's play entering a Monday showdown with 10th-ranked St. Clairsville. He'll have a full allotment of pitchers.

He praised their work ethic.

"We got up at 7:30 this morning and did yoga to get back to where they needed to be, body-wise and mentally focused," Lowery said. "I never have to worry about my guys whether they will be ready day in and day out. They are hungry. We have a chip on our shoulder from last year (after losing in the district) and that's we were over here today, playing one of the top teams in Division II."

[BobcatQB]

Game 7

Cambridge (5-2) - 3
St. Clairsville (8-1) - 1

WP - Jake Valentine (3-0, 0.41 ERA), CG, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K

Jake Valentine - 3 singles
Andy Ogle - single, 2 RBI
Caden Moore - RBI

Cambridge 3, St. Clairsville 1

Cambridge senior Jake Valentine was in complete charge during Monday's Buckeye 8 matchup with state ranked St. Clairsville at Don Coss Stadium.

Valentine picked up the win on the mound in the 3-1 victory, and then turned in a 3-for-4 effort at the plate with three singles to lead the Bobcats.

“Jake pitched a great game and our defense was phenomenal behind him,” Cambridge coach Jamaal Lowery said. “We executed enough offensively to get our runs.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of my guys,” Lowery added. “Beating the number six team in the state and to hand them their first lost, as well;  I’ll take that.”

Valentine allowed just one run on five hits with five Ks and three walks to earn the pitching win.

Senior Andy Ogle chipped in with single and pair of RBIs, with senior Caden Moore also picking up an RBI for the winners. Senior Davion Bahr, Keaton Kyser and Regan Rogers each added base hits.

With the victory, the Bobcats improve to 5-2 on the season.

NEXT −Cambridge will host Union Local on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

[BobcatQB]

Cambridge (6-2) - 11
Union Local - 9

Bobcats rally for wild 11-9 Buckeye 8 win over Union Local

Kevin Sutton
The Daily Jeffersonian

CAMBRIDGE − Cambridge High School head baseball coach Jamaal Lowery didn't sugar coat his feelings following his Bobcats' wild 11-9 Buckeye 8 victory over Union Local at Don Coss Stadium on Wednesday evening.

"Man, a win is a win I guess," Lowery offered. "But the best way to describe tonight's game, is that it was the ugliest win I've ever seen in my life. We got down early, we booted the ball around tonight. I think we had more errors tonight than we have all season."

Cambridge finished with five errors in the game, fell behind by a 7-1 margin into the fourth inning and, despite all those struggles, Lowery's Bobcats were able to bounce back for a win.

Lowery gave most the credit to his extraordinary group of senior leaders for playing a key role in making it happen with their next play mentality.

"This group is special, my senior leadership is outstanding," Lowery explained. "They don't dwell on mistakes, and don't let the younger kids do it either. They don't focus on the past play, they are next play guys. And that's what we did all night, it was next play, next play the whole night.

Trailing by that 7-1 margin entering the bottom of the fourth, the Bobcats got the offense cranked up and sent 10 batters to the plate. And when the smoke cleared CHS had pulled even at 7-7.

Seniors Regan Rogers and Angelo Rocco had the big hits in the inning, each with sharp singles that plated a pair of RBIs.

Union Local retook the lead at 9-7 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth off freshman Garrett Carpenter who came on in relief of senior starter Caden Moore.
But once again the Bobcats' offense had an answer, and pushed across four runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning to take their first lead of the night at 11-9.
Rocco again stroked a two-run single, with Rogers collecting another RBI base hit and senior Jake Valentine roped a RBI double to left center field.
Now with the lead, Carpenter went back out to the mound needing just three outs to record his first varsity win of his career.

Things quickly got dicey for the young hurler, as Braden Akers and Clay Akers led off with back-to-back singles. That prompted a trip to the mound by Lowery to calm his young pitcher down.

"I just went out there in the seventh I was just trying to get his spirits back up, and told him to just relax, " Lowery explained. "This was his first time throwing this year as a freshman, and that was a pretty tight spot."

Lowery's pep talk was all Carpenter needed, as he proceed to chalk up back-to-back-to back strikeouts to close out the Bobcats' 11-9 comeback and earn his first varsity pitching win.
"He started feeling it again and really responded," Lowery said. "It doesn't get much better than striking out the side to close out a victory. Garrett really did a nice job, and I'm proud of him."

Carpenter picked up the win pitching the final three innings, giving up two runs while striking out seven and walking one.

Rogers led the Cambridge offense with three hits, four RBIs and two runs, Valentine, Rocco, and Carpenter each added two hits with Rocco driving in four runs.
Moore went four innings as the starter giving up seven runs, but only three earned runs. He struck out six and walked three.

Cambridge improves to 4-1 in Buckeye 8 play, and 6-2 overall.

NEXT − Cambridge will now pay a visit to Union Local on Friday at 5 p.m.

https://www.daily-jeff.com/story/sports ... 101520007/

[BobcatQB]

Game 9

Cambridge (7-2) - 14
Union Local - 0   (5 innings)

WP - Andy Ogle - CG, no-hitter, 1 BB, 6 K (1st no-hitter in HS)

Cambridge senior Andy Ogle tosses no-hitter in 14-0 rout over Union Local

The Daily Jeffersonian

MORRISTOWN - Cambridge senior Any Ogle tossed his first career no-hitter on Friday, to headline a 14-0 romp over host Union Local in a five innings Buckeye 8 contest.

Ogle finished with six Ks and one walk in five innings of work on the mound.

The Bobcats scored 14 runs on 14 hits scoring in each of the first four innings to improve to 7-2 on the season.

Leading the CHS offense were seniors Caden Moore and Regan Rogers with three hits in the game with Moore smacking a triple, scoring four runs and picking up a pair of RBIs.

Rogers finished his night with three doubles, scored three runs, and drove in three runs. Keaton Kyser and Lucas Parsons each had two hits and scored two runs. Senior Angelo Rocco was one of four players with a hit, and also added a pair of sacrifice flies to lead the team with four RBIs.

[BobcatQB]

Game 10

Cambridge (8-2) - 8
Martins Ferry (8-6) - 7.......8 Innings

Bobcats' Freshman Garrett Carpenter delivers walk off victory over Martins Ferry

Freshman Garrett Carpenter provided host Cambridge High with an 8-7 walk off victory over Martins Ferry with an eighth inning RBI single that plated senior Davion Bahr with the winning run.

The Bobcats rallied from a 7-2 fourth-inning deficit to collect the thrilling victory in Buckeye 8 and Ohio Valley Athletic Conference action at Don Coss Stadium on Wednesday.

“We got a gutsy performance from our guys tonight,” Bobcat coach Jamaal Lowery said “The guys stayed with it and battled every inning and made it happen tonight.”

“Garrett Carpenter had a big hit to walk it off,” Lowery praised. “I am so proud of my guys and how we finished the game tonight.”

After falling behind by five runs in the top of the fourth innings, Cambridge started their comeback with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Regan Rogers reached on an error and Jake Valentine drew a walk before the hot-hitting Angelo Rocco drive in Rogers with a line drive single to centerfield. Valentine then scored on a dropped third strike to Bahr that got away from the catcher to make the score 7-4.

The Bobcats scored two more in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the lead to one. Andy Ogle led off with a double to center and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lucas Parsons. Keaton Kyser picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to plate Ogle. Following a Bradyn Gregg walk and a single by Rogers, Valentine drove in Gregg on a single to second.

Cambridge tied the score in sixth inning when Carpenter reached on an error and Ogle was hit by a pitch, Kyser hit a two-out single to leftfield to drive in Carpenter with the game tying run.

In the game, Rogers led the Bobcat offense with a single and a double to notch two of the team’s eight hits. Cambridge also drew seven walks.

[BobcatQB]

Cambridge (14-4) - 4
Morgan (15-9) - 1

WP - Jake Valentine (5-0, .600 ERA) - CG, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K

Cambridge collects 4-1 win over Morgan for D-II sectional title
Kevin Sutton
The Daily Jeffersonian

Cambridge senior Jake Valentine follows through with a pitch during Tuesday's Division II sectional title game with Morgan at Don Coss Stadium.
CAMBRIDGE − Tournament play is all about the end result, win and advance is the bottom line.

No. 5 seed Cambridge High didn't get any style points for Tuesday's 4-1 Division II sectional victory over No. 9 seed Morgan.

But the opportunistic Bobcats took advantage of a rough inning by the Raiders to claim the sectional title. And with it, advance on to meet No. 11 seed West Holmes in Division II district semifinal action on Monday, 5 p.m. at a site to be determined.

"We were able to take advantage of their mistakes," CHS head coach Jamaal Lowery explained. "When you're playing tournament baseball, that's just what you have to do. You're going to see everyone's best so when they make mistakes you have to capitalize on them."

Cambridge took advantage of a forgettable second inning by the visiting Raiders, putting up four runs with just one hit. Morgan committed one costly error, and starting pitcher Carson Mummey hit three batters in the frame.

Senior Andy Ogle got the rally started with a two-out single to centerfield, followed by Bradyn Gregg and Keaton Kyser getting hit by pitches to load the bases. Mummey then plunked his third consecutive hitter in senior Caden Moore to score Ogle first run of the game.

Senior Regan Rogers followed with a ground ball to shortstop that was thrown away attempting to turn a double play. The errant throw ended up down the right-field line allowing Gregg, Kyser and Moore all to come around and score to extend the Bobcats lead to 4-0.

“I preached to the kids to just put the ball in play and make them get you out,” Lowery said. “We took advantage of three hit batters and put a hard hit ball in play that they threw away. That was huge, especially in tournament play when every play matters.”

That lead was more than enough for Cambridge junior ace Jake Valentine, who shut down the Morgan offense to make the lead hold up.

Valentine turned in a solid complete game effort, allowing one run on just two hits with five Ks and one walk in his seven-inning outing.

"Jake gave us another bulldog performance again," Lowery explained. "When we give the ball to Jake, we feel pretty confident we can beat anybody in the state. All three of his pitches were working today, and he's just such a competitor."

Mummey took the loss for Morgan (15-9), despite a pretty good effort himself except for his second inning struggles. He worked six innings, allowing four runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

"I thought Carson pitched a gem of a game except for that rough second inning," Morgan head coach Seth Brown said. "It would have been better if all those things didn't stack up in the same inning. The three hit batters then the error were just too much to overcome.

"Those four things right in a row defined the game, that was the difference tonight," Brown added. "Tough way to end a pretty good year, especially for my seniors. I'm awful proud of this senior class, they missed their freshman year with COVID. Then in the next three years, we won 40 games which is something that has not happened in 21 years at Morgan."

Cambridge finished with just four hits, with Ogle, Rogers, Gregg and Kyser each picking up singles for the Bobcats who improve to 14-4 on the season.

Mummey and senior Coleman Welsh each singled to account for the Raiders' two hits in the loss.

“It feels good to win another sectional championship and head back to another district semi final game,” Lowery continued. "I’m proud of the guys but we’re not done yet. We will keep working hard, play one game at a time and reach our goal."

NEXT − Cambridge will now take on No. 11 seed West Holmes on Monday at 5 p.m. at a neutral site to be determined by the Eastern District. The Knights advanced with a 5-2 win over River View in 12 innings.

[danicalifornia]

How have they only played 18 games this spring?

[BobcatQB]

How have they only played 18 games this spring?

Exactly. Good question for the AD. Only 4 games were cancelled and not made up.

[BobcatQB]

East District Semi-Finals

Cambridge (15-4) - 3
West Holmes (12-11) - 2

WP - Jake Valentine (6-0, .667 ERA) - 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

Jake Valentine hurls Bobcats into Division II district finals

Kevin Sutton

The Daily Jeffersonian




WEST LAFAYETTE − Monday's Division II district semifinal came down to a been-there, done-that situation for Cambridge senior hurler Jake Valentine.

The Bobcats' ace hurler allowed No. 11 seed West Holmes to put the tying run on third base in Robbie Fendrick with two outs in the top of the seventh inning.

But, Valentine was up to the task with the game on the line, striking out Hunter Aurand to send the fifth seeded Bobcats into Wednesday's Division II district championship game with the 3-2 victory.

"Jake just pitched his butt off," CHS head coach Jamaal Lowery offered. "Jake has pitched in probably every championship game situation you could imagine. For us needing him to make the pitch to get us to the championship game, he's seen that situation before.

"He just kept his composure, pounded the strike zone, and came through with a big punch out to end the game," Lowery added. "Jake's composure and toughness was just through the roof tonight. He's the pitcher you want on the mound in that situation for sure."

Valentine cruised into the top of the seventh with a 3-0 lead, having only allowed four hits in six scoreless innings of work.

But a pair Cambridge fielding miscues, and a base hit from Gus Warner had the Knights in business with the bases loaded with no outs.

Brayden Miller then stroked a base hit to plate a pair of runs to pull within 3-2, but he was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double for the first out of the inning.

Now with one out, Fendrick stood 90 feet away as the game-tying run, but Valentine went to work. He got an infield popup for the second out of the inning then came through with the game-ending strikeout.

Cambridge will now take on top seed Indian Valley in Wednesday's Division II district championship game at 5 p.m. at Ridgewood High School.

“It was great to get that win tonight,” Lowery said. “I’m proud of how the guys handled themselves today and came out with a 3-2 win. It feels good to head back to another district championship game. It should be a good one with Indian Valley.”

Valentine pitched out of trouble in the fifth inning thanks to a rare triple play turned in by second baseman Keaton Kyser. After runners reached on a single and an error, Kyser snagged a line drive, stepped on second to double off the lead runner then threw to Andy Ogle at first base to double off the other runner.

“The triple play was great,” Lowery said. “Keaton made a heck of a play up the middle. He was aware of where the runners were and made the triple play. It was a heads up play all around."

Valentine scattered six hits, walked only one, and struck out nine hitters to collect the win on the mound.

Cambridge took advantage of a pair of walks and two clutch hits in the bottom of the first inning to score all three of their runs. Kyser, Caden Moore and Rogers drew consecutive walks on 13 pitches to load the bases. Valentine then stroked a single to left field to drive in Kyser and Moore to give the Bobcats the early 2-0 lead.

Following a West Holmes pitching change, a strikeout, and a pop up, freshman Garrett Carpenter stepped to the plate and singled to left field to drive in Rogers with the eventual game-winning run.

“We had a big first inning and took advantages of their walks,” Cambridge coach Jamaal Lowery said. “Jake and Garrett got key hits in that inning to get us the 3-0 lead.”

Valentine and Carpenter's first-inning singles were all the Bobcats mustered in the game.

West Holmes starter Jefferson Yoder took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks as he faced just six hitters.

Carson Tanner doubled and singled to lead the Knights' six-hit attack, with Miller adding his two run base hit in the seventh.

West Holmes end is season at 13-10, while the Bobcats improve to 15-4 and advance on down the tournament trail.

NEXT − Cambridge will take on top seeded Indian Valley on Wednesday, 5 p.m. back at Ridgewood High School.

[BobcatQB]

District Finals

#5 Cambridge (16-4) - 11
#1 Indian Valley (19-6) - 3

https://www.daily-jeff.com/story/spo...y/70246221007/

Bobcats claim another Division II District title

John Charlton
For the Daily Jeffersonian



WEST LAFAYETTE − For the second time in three seasons, the Cambridge High School baseball team is District Champions.

The Bobcats hoisted the championship trophy following an impressive 11-3 win over top-seeded Indian Valley on Wednesday night at Ridgewood High School.

Cambridge, the visiting team on the scoreboard, entered the top of the seventh inning with a 5-2 lead but exploded for six runs on six hits after the first two batters of the inning made outs.

Bradyn Gregg started the rally by drawing a walk. Keaton Kyser singled to put runners on first and second before Caden Moore got his first hit of the game, a two-RBI double to right field. Regan Rogers followed with an infield single and Jake Valentine smacked his fourth hit of the game into right field to plate Moore to drive in the third run of the inning.

Angelo Rocco kept the rally going with a two-RBI single to left field. Davion Bahr was hit by a pitch, before Garrett Carpenter capped off the scoring with a single to right field to drive in Rocco and give the Bobcats a very comfortable 11-2 lead.

“I challenged my boys after practice yesterday,” Cambridge coach Jamaal Lowery said. “I told them that we haven’t hit the ball like I know we know how to. I want 10 hits tomorrow. I’m pretty sure we surpassed that. They accept my challenge, stepped up to the plate, and we won a district title.”

Indian Valley took advantage of a couple of miscues in the bottom of the seventh to score a run and chase Cambridge starting pitcher Garrett Carpenter from the game. Dawson Geese came on and got the final out of the game and secure the win.

Carpenter, a freshman, worked out of several jams. He surrendered five hits and six walks, but seemed to always get the key strikeout or defensive gem when he needed it.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Bobcat defense erased a leadoff walk when Moore caught a liner to left field and made a strong throw to Andy Ogle at first base to double off the runner.

After giving up a double to the nine-hole hitter in the bottom of the third, Carpenter induced a pair of fly balls and got a key strikeout to strand the runner. He struck out two batters on seven pitches to end a fourth-inning threat and recovered from an run-scoring error to get out of the sixth inning with a foul pop that he caught heading toward the first-base dug out.

"Garrett has been throwing like that for us all year,” Lowery said. “He stepped up into that number two starter role for us early in the season. He worked his butt off for us and had a 0.50 ERA coming into this game. I called his number and he showed composure like he was a senior today.”

The Cambridge offense, which banged out 17 hits in the game, scored two runs in each the second and third innings to take control of the game.

In the second, Rocco walked to start the inning and then Bahr and Ogle reached on bloopers that fell in front of the Braves’ centerfielder. Gregg, the nine-hole hitter, made them pay with a two-strike, two-RBI singles to left field.

In the third inning, Valentine lined a single to centerfield and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Rocco. Bahr moved Valentine to third with a hard line drive that the pitcher was able to knock down and toss to first. Carpenter stepped up and drove in Valentine with a single to left-center field. Ogle batted next and reached on the first of two errors as the Indian Valley third baseman bobbled the grounder and then threw it away allowing Carpenter to score and make the score 4-1.

Cambridge added a fifth run in the top of the sixth as Kyser singled moved to second on a wild pitch, and advance to third on sac bunt by Moore. Rogers plated Kyser with an sacrifice fly to right field.

The Braves made the game interesting again with a run in the sixth to cut the lead to 5-2 before the Bobcats explosive seventh inning.

Every Bobcat batter had at least one hit with Valentine leading the way with four singles. Moore, Rogers, and Bahr each had doubles.

NEXT − Cambridge will play New Philadelphia in the regional semifinal game on Thursday, at 2 p.m. at Harrison Central's Mazeroski Field.

[BobcatQB]

District Semi-Finals vs West Holmes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmxg6auKac&t=7697s


District Finals vs Indian Valley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eoKLQSiPmE&t=7455s