PREP BASEBALL
Reversal of fortune for 'Cinderella' Eagles
Chaminade-Julienne entered tourney at 4-16, but three wins later it is in the D-II district title game.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
DAYTON — They may be shopping for glass baseball cleats this week. Chaminade-Julienne's improbable run in the Division II high school baseball tournament continues after the Eagles won the sectional for the second year in a row.
The Cinderella squad is crafting one of the region's more surprising stories. The Eagles entered the tournament with a 10th seed and sporting a 4-16 record. They have ousted Franklin (6-5), Valley View (8-6) and Eaton (13-4), all of whom are stalwarts in the Southwestern Division of the Southwestern Buckeye League.
Extras
Next up is Kenton Ridge in a district championship Friday, May 23 at Fairmont (4:30 p.m.). The Eagles have shocked everybody, but themselves.
"We just told ourselves before the tournament started that we're 0-0 and we wanted to prove that we were a lot better than our regular-season record and show how tough the (Greater Catholic League) is," said third baseman Bobby Richardson, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against state-ranked Valley View.
One of C-J's regular-season victories came over powerhouse Cincinnati St. Xavier, 14-13.
"We had a rough year, but we're playing our best baseball when it matters most," said right fielder John Bowron.
"We're putting pressure on our opponents and that's a good feeling after it was done to us during the season. We're confident that we can play with anybody after facing GCL teams with outstanding pitching and a history of state titles."
Key players for second-year coach Tony Stritenberger include Bowron (.485 and 20 RBIs), pitcher-first baseman Chris Bruckman (.357), second baseman Michael Raiff (.333), catcher Patrick Breggeman, left fielder Joe Getty and Richardson.
Contact this reporter at 225-2478 or
rjackson@DaytonDailyNews.com.
