HUNTINGTON — In a game dominated by two Division I-caliber pitchers, an unfortunate bounce and a defensive miscue ultimately decided Monday’s WVSSAC Class AA quarterfinal at Jack Cook Field.
Brady Ernest’s seventh-inning single brought home the winning run as defending state champion Wheeling Central escaped with a 2-1 victory over James Monroe.
The winning run scored after Matt Criniti reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error.
Following an intentional walk and another free pass that loaded the bases, Ernest lined a ball into play that was misplayed in the field, allowing Zayne Rosnick to score and send the Maroon Knights (24-5) into Thursday’s semifinals.
“We told the kids to make him come to you, make him get a strike,” said Wheeling Central coach Todd Cover. “Bases loaded there, it’s tough for any pitcher, especially when they’re 16- and 17-year-old kids. We were able to get a bat on one and get it to drop.”
The loss spoiled a brilliant outing from James Monroe junior Kadyn Hines, a West Virginia commit who nearly carried the Mavericks to an upset of the defending champions.
Hines allowed just three hits and one earned run while striking out eight over 6 2/3 innings. He threw 96 pitches and kept Wheeling Central’s lineup off balance for most of the morning.
“He was really good, and I would have expected nothing but that from him,” said James Monroe coach Tom Gardinier said. “He is one of the best, if not the best, in the state. To be able to do what he did to that team, again, defending champions, it was a heck of a pitching performance and put us in a chance to win.”
The Mavericks (20-16) struck first in the top of the fifth.
Holden Crislip and Tyson Meadows worked walks before Brody Barreras lined a two-out RBI single through the left side, giving James Monroe a 1-0 lead.
That advantage held until the bottom of the sixth when Wheeling Central finally broke through against Hines.
After Rosnick reached on an error and stole second, Kade Koroneos delivered the Maroon Knights’ biggest hit of the day, a run-scoring triple down the left-field line that tied the game at 1-1.
The contest featured a highly anticipated pitching matchup between Hines and Wheeling Central senior Brayden Cover, an Akron signee.
Cover matched Hines for five innings before reaching his pitch limit. The right-hander surrendered just one run on four hits while striking out 12 over five innings.
“Brayden threw really well,” Cover said. “I think he kind of ran out of gas there in the sixth, and then Steven (Brodegard) came in and shut it down. The depth showed there.”
Brodegard earned the victory in relief, tossing two scoreless innings with five strikeouts while allowing just one baserunner.
James Monroe threatened in the sixth when Tanner Johnson singled and advanced into scoring position, but Brodegard escaped the inning and retired the Mavericks in order in the seventh.
The defeat ended a memorable postseason run for the Mavericks, who battled through the loser’s bracket to reach the state tournament after losing their sectional opener.
“I told the kids if they’re better young men at the end than they were at the beginning, that’s success. If they’re better baseball players at the end than they were at the beginning, that’s success,” Gardinier said. “Regardless of what happened, this season was a success.”
Wheeling Central (24-5) advances to Thursday’s Class AA semifinals, while James Monroe finishes its season 20-16.
