Slow start no problem for TJ
After a slow start that saw them go down two runs against Ringgold, Thomas Jefferson outscored their Mon Valley counterparts by 10 runs the rest of the way to capture an 11-3 victory in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs Wednesday.
The No. 2 Jaguars (18-2) got a strong outing from JJ Siemon and four RBIs from Carter Kirsch to overtake the Rams (8-12) and move on. They will take on No. 7 Chartiers Valley at a time and site to be determined on Monday.
“We started off slow with a few errors, but we figured it out,” TJ coach Tim Vickers said. “I understand how well we’ve done this year and our record and everything, but that’s all out the window this time of year.
“We capitalized on their mistakes. I’m not a huge fan of using small ball early when we’re losing, but it worked. We’ve been working on it for the last month, so I’m proud we were able to execute on it today.”
Ringgold opened the scoring with a run in the first and second as Gavin Angotti drove the first one in and Gavin Morrison scored the second on an error. The Rams added one more run in the fifth on another error.
The loss ended the first campaign for Ringgold manager Jeff Lander, but he’s proud of his guys and excited for what’s to come for his program.
“I thought the boys battled well all day,” Lander said. “They really left it out there today. We were right in it until the sixth inning where they kind of took over with big hits. All credit to TJ, they’re a good team and program. They’re 18-2 this year for a reason.
“I’m really proud of them. With it being my first year, they really bought into what we were trying to do. We had a slow start, but at the end of the year, we really started to put it together. … We’ve got a taste of the playoffs now, and I think we’re going to be trouble in the section next year with a lot of returning production.”
TJ broke through with six runs in that sixth frame as Luke Kosko scored first. Kirsch hit a three-run double to score three more before his courtesy runner, Justin Berberich, and Brady Hodge crossed home plate to end the scoring at 11-3.
