Runs were hard to come by Thursday night at Thomas More Stadium in Florence, but one was all it took.
Behind a lack of timely hitting and a lights-out pitching duel, Ryle scratched across the game’s only run and made it stand, beating Highlands 1-0 in a matchup of two of the 9th Region’s premier programs.
One run on six total hits. That was it.
The game’s only run came in the fifth inning.
Carson Cocco reached on a walk and stole second before being replaced by pinch runner Bear Bender. With two outs, center fielder Brady Irwin sent a ground ball into right field, allowing Bender to round third and score.
Finally, the Raiders had some breathing room.
“I don’t know if the mindset ever changes with any of them, in a good way,” Ryle head coach Joe Aylor said. “I do think it was like, okay, we did it, not a sense of accomplishment, but kind of a step. We didn’t put pressure on ourselves.”
It also helped the mindset of Ryle starting pitcher, sophomore Alex Kramer, who made his third start of the season and helped the Raiders secure their first shutout since a 1-0 win over Boone County in last year’s 33rd District semifinals.
“I’m a sophomore on varsity,” Kramer said. “It’s something you’ve been working toward. It’s nerve-wracking, but you focus on what you can do and what you can control and let God handle it.”
Kramer and Highlands starter Ronan Thaler were locked in a back-and-forth battle all night.
Kramer went five innings, allowing two hits, walking two and striking out five. Thaler lasted six innings, allowing two hits, walking five and striking out eight.
The relievers, Ryle’s AJ Davis and Highlands’ Patrick Davidson, carried it from there, combining to allow just two hits, one walk and five strikeouts.
The Bluebirds were led at the plate by Brooks Hendrix, Peyton Zimmerman and Noah Lahner, whose hit was a double, finishing 3-for-23 as a team.
For Ryle, Irwin, Broddick Parr and Carson Cocco (double) accounted for the Raiders’ three hits as they also went 3-for-23 at the plate.
“Coach Aylor and I were talking before the game, and both of us said we’re not hitting like we can,” Highlands head coach Brian Benzinger said. “Both teams kind of came in in a slump, and I think both stayed in that slump. But hats off to both pitchers. Kramer and Davis did a nice job, and our guys did a nice job.”
From the first pitch, the tone was set.
Both teams threatened in the second inning, putting runners in scoring position as it looked like the scoring might begin. Highlands turned a double play to escape its half, and after Kramer issued two walks in the bottom half, the Bluebirds had momentum.
Still, after that inning, Kramer didn’t allow another walk the rest of the night.
“Throw strikes and don’t walk as many guys as I have,” he said. “In the second, I had two walks. There were some deep counts, but I was able to execute. Next guy, throw strikes, get the out, whatever it takes.”
Kramer settled in, and eventually, the bats did just enough.
When Ryle finally broke through, it was all it needed. The theme never changed, strong pitching, limited offense, and the Raiders made it hold up.
It was an early-season test between two teams with postseason expectations, and one that could carry weight down the line.
“This is us taking steps toward what we’re trying to do at the end of the year,” Aylor said. “It’s probably the same thing for them. April 2 doesn’t mean anything. You take stock of where you’re at, then move forward and fix what you need to fix.”
Highlands’ four-game winning streak came to an end as the Bluebirds fell to 5-5, suffering their first shutout since an 8-0 loss to Ryle on May 5 of last season. Ryle improved to 5-4 with the win.
MORE PHOTOS: Provided by Charles Bolton
RAIDERS 1, BLUEBIRDS 0
RYLE — 000-010-0 — 1-3-0
HIGHLANDS — 000-000-0 — 0-3-0
RBI — (R) Irwin
2B — (R) Cocco (H) Lahner
WP — Kramer. LP — Thaler.
Records: Ryle 5-4, Ryle 4-5