A Pitcher's Duel and a Rally
Ripley’s baseball squad clinched a 5‑1 victory over Bridgeport, securing a place in the Class AAA state championship game. The win caps a season in which the team lost only one senior and had to reshape its mindset after early setbacks.
Starting pitcher Landon Meadows dominated early, retiring the first nine batters and limiting Bridgeport to a single run over six innings. He threw just 48 pitches before reaching the 50‑pitch threshold on a strikeout in the fifth, showcasing both control and stamina.
Reliever Bryson Casto closed the game with a strong seventh inning, striking out two batters and preserving the lead. His effort earned a standing ovation as he left the mound, a testament to the crowd’s appreciation.
The offense clicked in the third inning when John Cummings led off with a single, Eli Phalen laid down a bunt, and Bryson Casto followed with a sacrifice that scored two runs. Later, a deep fly by Peyton Keller and a subsequent ground‑rule double by Brady McVay added another run to the tally.
Bridgeport managed a solitary run in the sixth when Lucas Rohrig tripled and scored on a ground out, but Ripley answered in the seventh. Bryson Casto opened the half‑inning with a triple and later crossed home on a wild pitch, sealing a 6‑2 final score.
The team now prepares to face the winner of the St. Albans versus Shady Spring matchup on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. for the state title, a game that will test their resilience after a roller‑coaster season.