Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct historical context regarding Ripley’s state championship history.
HUNTINGTON — Ripley moved one step closer to repeating as Class AAA state champion Friday morning at Jack Cook Field.
The defending champions capitalized on a pivotal third-inning error and received six strong innings from Landon Meadows in a 5-1 victory over Bridgeport in the first semifinal of the WVSSAC baseball state tournament.
With the win, Ripley (25-10) advanced to the state championship game for the second consecutive season and moved within one victory of back-to-back state titles.
Bridgeport, which was in pursuit for its sixth championship, finished its season at 31-5.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the third inning when Ripley turned a pair of infield singles into a four-run rally.
John Cummings opened the frame with a single and Eli Phalen followed with a bunt single after Ripley successfully challenged an out call at first base. Bryson Casto then laid down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error by Bridgeport pitcher Blake Butcher, allowing both runners to score while Casto advanced to second.
After Peyton Keller advanced Casto to third with a fly ball, Parker Keller delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. Later in the inning, Brady McVay stole second and scored on Meadows’ RBI ground-rule double down the right-field line as the Vikings stretched the lead to 4-0.
That was more than enough support for Meadows.
The Ripley right-hander limited Bridgeport to one run on six hits over six innings while walking none and striking out two. He consistently worked ahead in counts and prevented the Indians from putting together a big inning.
Bridgeport’s best opportunity came in the sixth.
Lucas Rohrig tripled to left-center field and scored on Owen Sondericker’s RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 4-1. Kasen Baun followed with a single and later stole second, but Meadows retired Guy Avolio on a fly ball to left field to end the threat.
Ripley answered immediately in the seventh.
Casto opened the inning with a triple to deep right field and scored on a wild pitch, restoring the Vikings’ four-run cushion at 5-1.
Casto then moved from shortstop to the mound and retired the final three batters, striking out two to close out the victory.
Ripley finished with six hits, led by Cummings, who went 3 for 3. Casto doubled, tripled, scored twice and drove in a run, while Meadows added a double and RBI.
Rohrig paced Bridgeport with three of the team’s six hits and scored its lone run.
Butcher took the loss despite allowing just one earned run. Four of Ripley’s five runs were unearned after the third-inning error opened the door for the Vikings’ decisive rally.