Cambridge collects 4-1 win over Morgan for D-II sectional title

CAMBRIDGE − Tournament play is all about the end result, win and advance is the bottom line.

No. 5 seed Cambridge High didn't get any style points for Tuesday's 4-1 Division II sectional victory over No. 9 seed Morgan.

But the opportunistic Bobcats took advantage of a rough inning by the Raiders to claim the sectional title. And with it, advance on to meet No. 11 seed West Holmes in Division II district semifinal action on Monday, 5 p.m. at a site to be determined.

"We were able to take advantage of their mistakes," CHS head coach Jamaal Lowery explained. "When you're playing tournament baseball, that's just what you have to do. You're going to see everyone's best so when they make mistakes you have to capitalize on them."

Cambridge took advantage of a forgettable second inning by the visiting Raiders, putting up four runs with just one hit. Morgan committed one costly error, and starting pitcher Carson Mummey hit three batters in the frame.

Senior Andy Ogle got the rally started with a two-out single to centerfield, followed by Bradyn Gregg and Keaton Kyser getting hit by pitches to load the bases. Mummey then plunked his third consecutive hitter in senior Caden Moore to score Ogle first run of the game.

Senior Regan Rogers followed with a ground ball to shortstop that was thrown away attempting to turn a double play. The errant throw ended up down the right-field line allowing Gregg, Kyser and Moore all to come around and score to extend the Bobcats lead to 4-0.

“I preached to the kids to just put the ball in play and make them get you out,” Lowery said. “We took advantage of three hit batters and put a hard hit ball in play that they threw away. That was huge, especially in tournament play when every play matters.”

That lead was more than enough for Cambridge junior ace Jake Valentine, who shut down the Morgan offense to make the lead hold up.

Valentine turned in a solid complete game effort, allowing one run on just two hits with five Ks and one walk in his seven-inning outing.

"Jake gave us another bulldog performance again," Lowery explained. "When we give the ball to Jake, we feel pretty confident we can beat anybody in the state. All three of his pitches were working today, and he's just such a competitor."

Mummey took the loss for Morgan (15-9), despite a pretty good effort himself except for his second inning struggles. He worked six innings, allowing four runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

"I thought Carson pitched a gem of a game except for that rough second inning," Morgan head coach Seth Brown said. "It would have been better if all those things didn't stack up in the same inning. The three hit batters then the error were just too much to overcome.

"Those four things right in a row defined the game, that was the difference tonight," Brown added. "Tough way to end a pretty good year, especially for my seniors. I'm awful proud of this senior class, they missed their freshman year with COVID. Then in the next three years, we won 40 games which is something that has not happened in 21 years at Morgan."

Cambridge finished with just four hits, with Ogle, Rogers, Gregg and Kyser each picking up singles for the Bobcats who improve to 14-4 on the season.

Mummey and senior Coleman Welsh each singled to account for the Raiders' two hits in the loss.

“It feels good to win another sectional championship and head back to another district semi final game,” Lowery continued. "I’m proud of the guys but we’re not done yet. We will keep working hard, play one game at a time and reach our goal."

NEXT − Cambridge will now take on No. 11 seed West Holmes on Monday at 5 p.m. at a neutral site to be determined by the Eastern District. The Knights advanced with a 5-2 win over River View in 12 innings.

KSutton1@gannett.com; @KevinDJsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Bobcats advance to Division II district semifinals with 4-1 win over Morgan