Pocket Rockets: Johnson, Waha form Charlevoix's pair of aces on the mound

CHARLEVOIX — Having an ace in the hand changes everything.

But having two? Well, that’s just about an automatic win, in both poker and baseball.

While every pitch comes with a certain amount of risk and gamble involved, especially against hot bats, it doesn’t at all feel that way when Charlevoix’s aces are played.

And it’s shown throughout the 2023 season.

Charlevoix junior Bryce Johnson and sophomore Owen Waha have been mowing down opponents all year and are a big reason why the Rayders earned an outright Lake Michigan Conference title, set a program record for wins and are now playing in the second week of the baseball postseason.

When Charlevoix baseball coach Scott Nickel gets to send one or both to the mound in a game, he doesn’t worry about his poker face, it’s always a big smile.

“It’s a luxury,” said Nickel. “It’s a luxury for sure. They’re both really good competitors and always want the baseball in their hand.”

Both had the ball Saturday when the Rayders (29-5-1) earned a pair of victories to pull in their first district championship since 2013, which came on their home field.

Johnson got the ball first against Mancelona, needing to go just two innings in a three-inning mercy, striking out three, while not allowing a base runner.

Because he needed just 22 pitches to get through the six batters faced, Johnson then came in for relief in game two, going four innings with a hit and walk allowed and nine strikeouts.

Seeing action in both games that helped bring in a title was obviously a great day, but Johnson knew it took the run support behind him and Waha too.

“We’re all clicking, everybody is doing their job,” he said. “It just feels great right now. Just all the confidence and love we have in our team. We’re doing great in practice and playing our hardest all the time.”

Johnson was also happy to share the mound with his ace partner against Elk Rapids.

“That was great,” he said with a big smile. “I love pitching with him.”

In the game two start, Waha went three innings with three hits and three walks issued, striking out six batters.

He echoed Johnson’s feelings on the team afterward.

“It’s one of my favorite teams I’ve ever played on, easily,” said Waha. “We just need to keep this energy up and we shouldn’t lose.”

For the season, Waha has gone 39 and a third innings across 11 games, going 8-1 with 66 strikeouts and just 12 walks issued. He’s also maintained a ridiculous 0.712 ERA. Batters have hit just .176 against him for the season.

He had it all working against the Elks Saturday, including a filthy curve that had knees buckling more than once.

“My fastball is good, I’m feeling that one,” he said. “My curve is working really nice. I’m working the changeup.”

The season for Johnson has been just as good, with 45 innings pitched in 12 games and a 9-1 record. Batters are hitting just .126, too busy being sent back to the dugout on strikes with a whopping 91 for the season. He also holds a 1.56 ERA.

Like the confidence that comes in holding the best card in the deck, neither lack confidence when they’re on the mound and they both show it.

Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound linebacker for the Rayder football team as well, brings the heat. Against the Elks, several batters were seeing ghosts of the ball at the plate.

Waha, also a wideout on the football field in a 6-foot-4, 180-pound athletic build, is just as confident in his own abilities as he is everyone else on the team.

“Our whole team can go in and pitch,” he said. "Everybody. That’s why we’re doing so well right now.”

Charlevoix takes on Grayling in a 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 7 Division 3 regional semifinal at home, then a win would put them in a regional championship and quarterfinal bracket at Traverse City Central on Saturday, June 10.

While they’ll take it one pitch at a time, that confidence for Johnson can't help but show.

“I think we can make it all the way,” he said. “And I truly mean that too.”

He’s an ace teamed up with another ace, what else would you expect from pocket rockets?

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Pocket Rockets: Johnson, Waha form Charlevoix's pair of aces on the mound