South Webster Edges Newark Catholic 4-2 to Reach Regional Finals

ATHENS — The South Webster baseball team, guided by coach Ryan McClintic, has demonstrated a commitment to mastering the essential aspects of the game, including hitting, pitching, baserunning, and fielding. During their Division VII, Region 27 Semifinal clash against Newark Catholic, they excelled in all those areas to secure a 4-2 victory.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning due to a flurry of hits from Newark Catholic, South Webster's starting pitcher Benaiah Andrews settled in, making it difficult for the Green Wave offense for the remainder of the game. The Jeeps rallied with timely hitting, scoring their first run in the fifth inning thanks to an error on an attempted double play. They added two more runs in the sixth, highlighted by an RBI single from Pierce Kreischer and a wild pitch, and capped off their scoring in the seventh with an insurance run from Brycin McClintic’s RBI single, sealing their advancement to the finals.

While the outcome may have surprised some spectators outside of the South Webster community, it was a testament to the team's resilience and dedication. McClintic noted, "We really do believe in the bend, but don't break mentality and limiting the damage, but not getting greedy. We believe in our opponents earning everything... if we continue to do the right things, it will lead to favorable results." Andrews echoed this confidence, stating, "We know that we can play with anyone. We put in the work... It feels great."

Despite the early deficit, South Webster showed no signs of faltering. They kept Newark Catholic’s ace, Owen Przymierski, under pressure, demonstrating patience at the plate and working counts effectively. McClintic praised Przymierski’s abilities but highlighted his team's approach in challenging him: "We just tried to foul balls off and work the count into a favorable spot." This strategy began to pay off as they gained momentum.

South Webster's defense complemented Andrews' efforts, committing just one error compared to Newark Catholic's four. Freshman first baseman Easton Large made critical plays that helped maintain the team's focus. McClintic emphasized the importance of defense, stating, “We hang our hat on defense and pitching.” After a rocky start, Andrews remained steadfast, trusting his abilities and his teammates to turn the tide. “You never want that. But I knew that I just had to keep trusting my stuff,” Andrews remarked after the game.

The Jeeps' determination finally broke through in the fifth inning, setting the stage for their impressive comeback. With their blend of solid pitching, defense, and hitting, South Webster continues to prove they are a formidable contender in this tournament.