LINDEN — After North Montgomery fell in Monday’s 2A baseball sectional championship game by a score of 8-0 to Lafayette Central Catholic, every Charger knew they had not played well. The disappointment of losing was seen on the coaches’ and players’ faces as they realized the season was over.
To win a baseball championship every aspect of the game must be executed. The Chargers fell short offensively and more importantly defensively. North was held to three hits and committed five errors in the last four innings.
“Throughout the sectional you want to be playing your best baseball, but we didn’t make the defensive plays,” Charger coach Matt Voorhees said. “You cannot open the door at all against teams like Central Catholic because they will take advantage of your miscues. It was disappointing.”
North Montgomery had opportunities early in the game to get on the scoreboard. After allowing Central Catholic a 1-0 lead on a steal at the plate, Aiden Ambriz-Cruz singled and was sacrificed to second by Crew Cole with two outs remaining. The next two Chargers failed to bring the junior home.
In the second at-bat the Chargers got their first two batters on base when Jack Warren was hit by a pitch followed by a Knight error. The next two Charger batters struck out and a flyball out ended the inning and another scoring opportunity.
Ambriz-Cruz collected all three Charger hits in the game with two singles and a double.
Charger pitcher Tayln Sheldon was a bright spot for North. The junior dominated in the second, third and fourth innings. At one point, he retired 10 Knights in a row.
The fifth inning was when things started to come apart for the Chargers. After Sheldon gave up a walk, a long flyball to right field was misplayed allowing one score leaving a runner on third base. A sacrifice fly allowed the third Knight run. A double play by the Charger offense got them off the field, but the Knights’ lead had grown to 3-0.
In the sixth inning Central Catholic scored four runs aided by two Charger errors which chased Sheldon out of the game after surrendering three straight singles.
Sophomore Carter Thompson came into the game to relieve Sheldon. The righty gave up one hit and one run in 1.2 innings.
Voorhees was pleased with the performance of Sheldon who entered the game with an ERA of 2.36 and a 7-1 record. In the championship game the junior threw 5.1 innings and allowed five hits and seven runs, of which only three were earned runs.
“Talyn was a constant all season for us with his ability to throw strikes,” Voorhees said. “I was super proud how he competed and battled.”
Starting Central Catholic pitcher Gus Sandberg had his best outing of the season. The junior pitched 6.1 innings of scoreless baseball while walking just one Charger and striking out three.
“Give Sandburg credit,” Voorhees said. “He pitched a good game and kept us off balance for the most part.”
North Montgomery says goodbye to five seniors. Cole, Warren, Tucker Hinds, Keaton Brown and Blake Welsh have been a part of 75 varsity wins during their four years in high school. The seniors have played together since they were four and five years old and were loyal to the Charger baseball family.
Voorhees acknowledged he has a special connection with his seniors and he complimented each one after the game.
“I just love my seniors,” Voorhees said. “All of them are going to be tough to replace. We have good young guys coming up, but we are going to miss these seniors’ abilities and how they lead.”
North Montgomery ends the season with a 21-9 record.
Central Catholic (24-6) will play Lapel (16-7) Saturday in a one-game regional. The IHSAA will announce the site of the game soon.
