ARCANUM – The Arcanum Trojans are one win away from a district championship after battling past the Miami East Vikings 3-2 in an OHSAA Division V tournament semifinal Tuesday night.
The hard-fought victory sends Arcanum into the district title game against Cincinnati Mariemont and keeps the Trojans’ postseason run alive.
“Everybody played well – good team win,” said veteran Arcanum coach Randy Baker following the victory.
Miami East struck first in the opening inning when Titus Eberwein delivered a two-out RBI single to left field, giving the Vikings an early 1-0 advantage.
Arcanum answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Regan Christ reached on a Miami East error to open the frame and later scored on a Luke Stephens RBI double to center field, knotting the score at 1-1.
The Trojans moved in front in the second inning. Bishop Cartwright drew a one-out walk and advanced after another Vikings error allowed Christ to reach base. Cartwright eventually crossed the plate on a passed ball, giving Arcanum a 2-1 lead.
Miami East evened the game again in the fourth inning, capitalizing on an Arcanum error to make it 2-2.
“We have some things to clean up,” Baker said. “But it’s survive and advance.”
The game’s turning point came in the top of the fifth inning.
After recording two quick outs, Arcanum watched Miami East string together back-to-back singles. An intentional walk loaded the bases and prompted Coach Baker to make a pitching change, bringing ace Regan Christ to the mound in a high-pressure situation.
Christ delivered exactly what the Trojans needed, recording a strikeout to escape the inning and preserve the tie.
“Both guys threw really well,” Baker said. “Bishop threw a great game. It was just at a point where we needed a strikeout there, and we thought Regan would give us the best shot to get us a strikeout to get out of that inning, which was huge, and he comes in and does what Regan does.”
Arcanum wasted little time taking advantage of the momentum shift.
Derek Longstreth led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to center field. Claeb Baker followed with a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position. Kolton Quigney then delivered a single to left field, and a Miami East error on the play allowed Longstreth to score what proved to be the game-winning run.
Despite generating several scoring opportunities, the Trojans were unable to break the game open. Arcanum stranded the bases loaded in both the second and sixth innings, had runners on second and third with one out in the fifth, and went down in order during the third and fourth innings.
“Situational hitting, we work hard on that in batting practice,” Baker said. “We just didn’t do a good enough job today to open that game up a little bit more than what it was.”
Miami East’s pitching staff also played a significant role in keeping the contest close.
“Give them credit, their pitcher was throwing a curve ball for strikes and hitting spots really well,” Baker said. “We have to do a better job, though, if we are going to move farther; we have to put better balls in play and score some more runs.”
Cartwright started on the mound for the Trojans and was outstanding, recording 14 outs while allowing four hits and two runs, only one earned. The right-hander struck out five and walked two over 4 2/3 innings.
Christ earned the win in relief, surrendering just one hit over the final 2 1/3 innings while striking out three and walking one. He retired Miami East in order in the seventh inning to secure the victory.
Longstreth and Stephens paced the Arcanum offense with two hits apiece. Stephens finished 2-for-3 and drove in a run. The Trojans also stole four bases and turned a double play.
For Miami East, KJ Gustin took the loss despite a solid effort. Gustin worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs, only one earned, on five hits while striking out five and walking three.
With the win secured, attention now turns to the district championship matchup against Cincinnati Mariemont. One of the key questions will be the availability of Christ after his relief appearance.
“We’re good there,” Baker said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do yet, whether we’re going to start Regan Christ. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow. Obviously, his arm is more valuable than just one game. We’re going to evaluate him tomorrow and see how he feels, and go from there.”
For now, the Trojans are still playing baseball in late May, exactly where Baker wants his team to be.
Arcanum survived, advanced, and now stands one victory away from a district championship.
BOX SCORE:
123 456 7 R H E
100 100 0 2 5 3 Miami East
110 010 X 3 7 1 Arcanum
