The Badin Rams clinched the Division III state baseball championship on Saturday, defeating Bishop Watterson 7-2 and ending a 30-year title drought that dated back to 1996.
The Rams surged early, plating three runs in the first inning before adding three more in the fifth, while Bishop Watterson had struck first with a solitary run in the opening frame.
Key contributors at the plate included Chandler Taylor, whose RBI double tied the game, Vince Laugle’s run-scoring single, Cooper Vangen’s RBI hit, and Colt Emerson, who finished 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
Austin Vangen also added a run-producing single, and the offense was complemented by a defense that turned three double plays and made several spectacular stops.
Defensive Masterclass
Coach Brion Treadway, a 1996 champion as a player, guided the team with a philosophy of competing and winning, trusting his son Brooks Treadway to handle pressure situations on the mound.
Brooks Treadway delivered 4 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs while walking two batters; relief pitchers Beau Chaney and Beau Neal closed out the game, with Eli Wolpert recording a crucial tag at third base.
The defensive masterclass was anchored by shortstop Derek Ogden, praised by Treadway as the best in Ohio, and second-baseman Cade Cummins, whose quick turn generated a double play that proved pivotal.
The Rams finished the season on a 25-game winning streak and outscored tournament opponents 67-5, marking the third championship in program history and capping a season that will be remembered for its blend of hitting firepower and defensive excellence.