By Chris Valentine
PBR Ohio Scouting Director

Cincinnati, OH – Lakota East sophomore right-handed pitcher Andrew Almquist kept it close through five, but Moeller’s seven run, seventh inning was too much to overcome as No. 9-ranked Lakota East fell 10-1. 

No. 2-ranked Moeller, the defending Division I state champions, started out shaky, and junior right-handed pitcher Gus Ragland didn’t have his best stuff, but he competed and limited the damage.

In the bottom of the second, Lakota East senior Tyler Schlensker singled to centerfield and fellow senior Adam Delaet reached based on an error. After Ragland hit senior Chris Elam with a pitch to load the bases, Almquist hit into a 5-3 double play, scoring Schlensker in the process.

Down 1-0 in the top of the third, Moeller standout junior shortstop Riley Mahan (Kentucky recruit) tripled off the right field wall to lead off the inning. Senior centerfielder Justin Wampler (Dayton recruit) followed with a RBI single up the middle to even the score. Despite walking and hitting a batter, Almquist escaped after senior Nick Meece flew out to right field.

In the top of the fourth inning, Mahan drew a two-out walk and proceeded to steal second base on senior catcher Jarret Rindfleisch (Ball State recruit), who already threw out one runner on the day and picked another off first base. He later advanced to third base and scored after a throwing error on the second baseman.

Moeller struck again in the fifth after senior Cameron Whitehead (Furman recruit) advanced to third base after an error by Lakota West’s shortstop rolled all the way to the left field wall.

Lakota East made a call to the bullpen as senior southpaw Evan Korson came on in relief. Korson, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, showed good command of his fastball and breaking ball, but eventually ran into trouble.

Looking for an opportunity to score, Whitehead managed to score after a wild pitch got away from Rindfleisch.

Down 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Lakota East had a chance to even the score after drawing back-to-back, two out walks, but Rindfleisch grounded out to second base to end the inning.

Ragland’s day ended in the bottom of the sixth after a one out walk. Fellow junior right-hander Nick Voss shut the door on the inning with a strike out and fly-out to centerfield.

In the top of the seventh inning, Moeller dealt the final blow with seven runs, including a double by Whitehead, which brought in two runs.

Ragland earned the win going five and one-thirds of an inning. He allowed one earn run while giving up three hits, four walks, and two HBP. He struck out three batters on the day.

Almquist, despite a strong outing, took the loss going four and one-thirds of an inning. He allowed three hits, two walks, and a HBP. He struck out three batters on the day. 

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