A Seventh-Inning Turnaround
Monmouth Academy entered the Class C baseball state championship facing a 4-0 deficit after Washington Academy exploded for four runs in the opening inning. The Mustangs, however, refused to surrender, chipping away with a single run in the third and two more in the fourth to set the stage for a dramatic finish.
The turning point arrived in the seventh inning when Zane Foyt led off with a single that placed the tying run on base. Bryce Fletcher followed with a walk, keeping the rally alive and loading the bases for Noah Schultz, whose ground ball brought home the tying run and allowed Levi Laverdiere to cross the plate with the go-ahead score.
Laverdiere’s impact did not end with his clutch hit. He later took the mound in the bottom of the seventh, striking out two batters and securing the final out to seal a 5-4 victory. His composure under pressure epitomized the team’s resilience.
Washington Academy’s early onslaught featured a two-run double by Jayden Mahar and a two-run single by George Welch, establishing a commanding lead. Yet the Mustangs’ persistence paid off as they capitalized on every opportunity, turning a dire situation into a celebrated triumph.
The victory marks Monmouth Academy’s second consecutive Class C title, underscoring the program’s recent dominance. Coach Daniel Gardner praised the team’s unity, noting that contributions from Will Ferguson and Michael Shepherd throughout the season laid the groundwork for this championship run.