Playing together for each other: In search of league title, Lancaster controls its own destiny
LANCASTER – It has been a rollercoaster year for the Lancaster baseball team, but through it all, their goal of winning an Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division championship is still there for the taking.
After suffering a season-opening loss, the Golden Gales rallied and were able to reel off eight consecutive victories before they hit a rough patch by losing three straight games, including back-to-back 1-0 and 3-0 league losses against Pickerington Central.
Last Friday, Lancaster was facing an almost must-win game when it traveled to rival Newark. The Gales were able to gut out a 2-0 victory and turned right around on Monday to face the Wildcats again in another crucial league game. Once again, they showed a lot of mental fortitude and resiliency and were able to pull out a 5-3 victory.
It improved Lancaster’s overall record to 11-5, and more importantly 8-2 in the league, one game behind the Tigers (9-1). With five league games remaining - one game against each league team – the Gales control their destiny. Win out in the league and they will clinch at least a share of the OCC title.
Fully invested and all in
Lancaster coach Corey Conn said it was tough losing close games to the Tigers, but he loves the way his team stayed the course and never wavered when they went to Newark last Friday. They remained focused on the task at hand.
“That is the sign of having a senior-laden team. We have a maturity about us, we have great senior leadership, and even though we had a couple of tough losses, these guys were able to rally together and stay together and were able to continue and play good baseball. When you are grinding out at-bats, you are playing great defense and getting quality starts on the mound, things will eventually turn out for you.
“We have 10 seniors that understand this is their last dance and they are all in," Conn said. "No matter what role they have, and sometimes when you show up day to day the role is different. These guys have been awesome with whatever their role is that day, they are fully invested in their teammates, and I think whenever you can have that, great things can happen.”
On Tuesday, Lancaster jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the Wildcats, and after Newark plated three runs in the fifth inning, the Gales were able to shut the door thanks to outstanding relief pitching from sophomore Kam Griffith, who pitched two-plus scoreless innings.
“The starters lay the foundation for me, and when I come, I have one job and that is to throw strikes,” Griffith said. “I am lucky because I have one of the best defenses in the league, and I know they are going to make plays behind me. As a team, we are doing a great job of playing together and playing for each other.”
Griffith, Zach Mowder, Dylan Bird and Jackson Burke sparked the Gales’ offense with two hits each.
Bird, who pitched all seven innings in the shutout win against Newark last Friday, said the players fully understand what is at stake over the next week.
“The goal is to win a league title, and we embrace the pressure that comes with that,” Bird said. “We feel like the pressure is on the other team. We have all worked extremely hard in the offseason, and we have one goal in mind. We come in every game focused and ready to go, and we trust each other to make plays and execute.”
Five for five for a championship
The math is simple for the Gales. Win their remaining five league games, and they will win a championship.
Lancaster will host Central Crossing at home on Wednesday, travel to Groveport on Friday, travel to Reynoldsburg on Monday before hosting Pickerington Central next Wednesday, and close out the league schedule at Newark on May 3.
“In baseball, there is going to be adversity and failure, and can you handle that the right way when you go on a three-game losing streak or you go in a 0-for-10 slump,” Conn said. “It’s going to happen, and we talk about those things and how to mentally handle that and what you should do.
“These guys are going to leave a legacy either way. It’s their choice. Do want to leave a positive legacy that people are going to remember or one that people want to forget as fast as they can? These guys have been tremendous and are fully invested in each other, and they have one singular focus and that’s to win.”
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Lancaster baseball controls its own destiny in Ohio Capital Conference
