May 8, 2017 4 min read

CLAYSVILLE – Through the first four innings, it remained a battle of wills, and no one budged.

McGuffey High School’s baseball team was hanging tough against Ringgold in this Section 3-AAAA game Monday at Claysville Community Park.

But one got the feeling the Rams were patiently waiting for the one mistake that would break the game open.

That moment came in the top of the fifth inning.

With a runner on first base, Chase Angotti put down a bunt that McGuffey pitcher Lane Wilkerson fielded cleanly. A yell from the Highlanders’ catcher directed Wilkerson to go to second to try for the forceout, but a quick look convinced the right-hander that would not work. So he threw to first base, too late to get Angotti.

That was all it took.

When the inning was over, Ringgold had sent 10 batters to the plate and scored all the runs the game would produce in a 5-0 victory over the Highlanders.

The win sent the Rams’ section record to 9-4, cementing their third-place spot. McGuffey is 5-9 and in decent shape to gain the fourth and final playoff berth in the section, depending how the final two days of the season plays out.

Ringgold, now 12-4, has a chance to snap a 12-year playoff drought.

“Right now, we’re looking at a 7, 8 or 9 seed,” said Ringgold interim head coach Don Roberts. “It’s been a while since we’ve been in the playoffs.”

The fifth inning started with a single by Jake Rangaus, the No. 9 hitter, and the misplayed bunt followed. Koby Bubash followed with a perfect bunt the went past Wilkerson and loaded the bases with no one out. Ryan Varley, who matched Wilkerson’s shutout to that point, lofted a deep fly to center field that scored Rangaus.

One out later, Anthony Pampena lashed a single to left that scored Angotti and Beau Haines singled home Bubash to make it 3-0.

“We had a little small ball work out for us, and that was part of the plan,” said Roberts. “We kept hitting the ball but couldn’t find any green (hits) out there so we switched it up a little.”

McGuffey appeared ready to get out of the inning when Matt Morgan hit a grounder to third base. But Ed Shingle misplayed it for an error that allowed another run to score and a bad-hop single to third by Luke Winterbottom scored the final run.

“That’s been the story of our season,” said McGuffey head coach Scott Henson. “Every game we’ve dropped, we’ve had that one bad inning. They gave us two outs on two bunts and we didn’t get anyone out. You can’t do that and win baseball games. … We’ve come a long way. We’ve been getting good pitching all year. Just one inning and the legs fall off.”

Wilkerson allowed three earned runs, struck out three and walked one.

Still, McGuffey could break a playoff drought that goes back to 2002.

Varley was magnificent, allowing two hits, striking out nine and throwing 95 pitches to raise his record to 4-1. Twice in the game, he strung three consecutive strikeouts.

“He’s so good, that I know I can always count on him,” said Roberts. “He has really god command. He’s only given up two runs in his last 29 innings. He’s been on fire.”

It’s been a rough season for the Rams, having their head coach resign following a southern trip to start the season where players were alleged to have hazed other players and received alcohol and tobacco. Don Roberts was named interim coach.

“It’s actually been a smooth transition,” Roberts said. “I’ve coached most of these kids before. Last year, I wasn’t on the staff but the three before that, I was on the varsity. Plus, I’m a teacher in the school so I know most of them. These are a great bunch of kids.”