PITSBURG – The Arcanum baseball team defeated Franklin Monroe 5-0 in a St. Rt. 49 battle. The Trojans got a special performance from sophomore pitcher Regan Christ for the victory.
Christ faced 21 batters in 7 innings, retiring them all in order. He didn’t walk anyone or allow a baserunner while racking up 13 strikeouts to earn a no hitter and registering a perfect game.
“When Regan is on the mound, he throws strikes and I’m somewhat settled down and not nervous, he a calming effect when he’s out there,” veteran coach Randy Baker said.
Christ would throw 79 pitches of which 56 went for strikes.
“He had a really good fastball going tonight and our pitching coach Connor Pohl did a good job of mixing up calls on pitches and Regan did all the executing,” Baker added.
Franklin Monroe baseball coach Tyler Zimmerman acknowledged how effective his pitching was in the game.
“He was amazing, from the first inning he was dialed in, within the zone, great stuff, great velocity. He had his “A” game, and we weren’t able to touch it. We knew before the game, having faced him last year we had to be on our game, and we just didn’t have an answer for him tonight,” Zimmerman complimented.
Arcanum scored at the top of the 1st inning when Regan Christ doubled bringing home Derek Longstreth. Bryce Kramer then singled to plate Christ for a 2-0 lead.
Ethan Kearny singled in the 2nd inning and advanced to 2nd base on an error and would score on a single by Christ to go up 3-0.
Lucas Miller singled and then stole 2nd base to start the 4th inning and he would score on a double from Kolton Quigney to go up 4-0.
Franklin Monroe trailing 4-0 heading into the 7th inning was looking for one more chance to get something going.
“We went into the seventh inning down 4-0 and that’s where we want to be most days to be able to compete and if we get the bats out we’re right there,” coach Zimmerman commented.
“We made a few mistakes on defense but overall played good and Josh Armstrong threw a heck of a game,” Zimmerman added.
Arcanum coach Randy Baker also acknowledged Armstrong’s performance.
“He throws strikes, he didn’t walk us … but I thought we had really good at bats, maybe not aggressive enough most of the time but we got the bat on the ball and put it into play,” Baker explained.
Arcanum was able to push across an insurance run in the top of the 7th inning after single from Seth Fearon led to Bryce Kramer scoring for a 5-0 lead.
By now everyone is aware of the game being thrown by Regan Christ as he worked to earn a no-hitter and perfect game.
After coaxing a fly-out to Fearon, Christ played pitch and catch with his catcher Landon Wagner getting a strikeout for out number two. The Jets had one last chance to break up a perfect game but Josh Armstrong’s pop up was collected by shortstop Kolton Quigney to secure the perfect game.
Wagner then acknowledged Christ with a hug followed by teammates congratulatory high fives and pats on the back know what just happened was very special.
Talking to Regan Christ after the game I asked him if coming he had any idea what he was about to do?
“I came in tonight like it was a normal game and went out there throwing and things started falling into place. My team was behind me and made some good plays out there and our catcher did a nice job behind the plate, along with coach Pohl calling the game,” Christ would say.
Christ said it was his first no-hitter and he hopes it won’t be his last.
His perfect game gets his name in the OHSAA state record book, and he becomes the 110th pitcher in 100 years in the state of Ohio to throw a perfect game.
He will join 4 other pitchers from WOAC member schools who have thrown perfectly.
Regan Christ, Arcanum vs. Franklin Monroe (4/25/2024)
Cody Webb, National Trail vs. Covington (4/18/2019)
Jonny Wilson, New Madison Tri-Village vs. Bradford (5/12/2015)
Larry Swihart Jr., New Paris National Trail vs. Union City Mississinawa Valley (4/18/2000)
Chad Miller, New Paris National Trail vs. Union City Mississinawa Valley (5/2/1990)
Greenville Senior High School has registered two perfect games.
Tyler Beyke, Greenville vs. Dayton Meadowdale (5/8/2018)
Matt Orth, Greenville vs. Trotwood-Madison (4/19/2011)
Coach Baker talked about Christ success.
“He’s a hard worker. I mean, he’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever had in the program. So, he deserves everything he gets here. He’s very coachable. You know, some guys that are good aren’t very coachable, he is, and he takes everything we tell him,” Baker praised.
With the win the Trojans improve to 11-6 overall and 7-1 in the WOAC as they continue to battle for a league title.
Christ not only was perfect he went 2-for-3 at the plate, hitting a double and single, had two rbi’s and scored one run. He likes the way the team is playing and see’s Arcanum challenging for a title and a preparing for a good post season run.
“It’s something (league title) we want to win Regan Christ would say, we’re a pretty young team right now and we’ve had our ups and downs, but I think we’re slowly starting to figure it out and getting in the groove at the right time to challenge for a league title and get us ready heading into the postseason,” Christ concluded.
