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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/28/2018

Ohio Elite lives up to their name

Nate Schweers     
Photo: Jacob Miller (Perfect Game)

EMERSON, Ga. – After a rain-soaked afternoon at LakePoint, Ohio Elite Shaffer braved the elements to advance to the quarterfinals of the 14u WWBA National Championship on Thursday. Ohio Elite was able to down the Keystone State Bombers 3-2 in comeback fashion to remain alive in this year’s tournament.

After a nearly four-hour lightning delay slowed games down on Thursday, Ohio Elite starter Jacob Miller was able to deliver yet another outstanding performance on the mound. Miller tossed 6 1/3 innings striking out nine and allowing just one earned run.

Miller, who has been Ohio Elite’s ace since joining the program when he was 11, featured a mid-80s fastball and a tight breaking ball on Thursday to keep hitters off balance. Perfect Game scouts in attendance think highly of Miller’s breaking ball, and Miller himself believes using it well is a big key to his success.

“First couple innings I had to kind of settle in and get my fastball under control, but then the third and fourth inning I really started getting my curveball down and it was really keeping their hitters off balance,” said Miller, who is a high follow player from Baltimore, Ohio in the 2022 class.

Miller’s outing was no fluke for this Ohio Elite team. They allowed just seven runs during seven pool play games, and their entire pitching staff has been able to dominate for most of the tournament.

While Miller was continuing to compete on the mound, hits were hard to come by for Ohio Elite as they seemingly hit every barreled ball right at one of the Bombers’ defenders.

“We started to really hit the ball there in the middle of the game, but they made some really nice plays,” said Ohio Elite head coach John Ware. “I felt like we could’ve score more runs today. We were hitting the ball hard, and I just felt like we really gutted it out and were able to score some runs there in the bottom of the fifth inning.”

Through the first 4 ½ innings of play, Ohio Elite’s only offense came off the bat of Gavin Henry. Henry, who is a native of Gahanna, Ohio, roped a run-scoring single up the middle in the bottom of the third inning. Henry finished 2-for-3 on the day, and was a big piece of the two-run fifth inning that propelled Ohio Elite to victory.

“I didn't have a very good first at-bat today, but I tried to stay positive and help my team out the rest of the way,” said Henry. “I was able to start sitting fastball in my next two at-bats, and I really made some adjustments that made a difference.”

Trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, Henry was able to get aboard with a single, and Trevor Newtz walked to put the winning run on base. Jackson Ware came to the plate and was able to sneak one through the legs of the Bombers’ third baseman, plating Henry. After the ball was cutoff, and errant throw allowed Newtz to come in score to take the lead for Ohio Elite.

After Miller’s day was done on the mound, Ohio Elite called on closer Connor Bourn to seal the deal. Bourn was able to retire the last two batters on just nine pitches, and the righty from Powell, Ohio was up to 83 with a lively fastball.

A long emotional day can be draining for a team, and this was no exception for Ohio Elite in their quarterfinal matchup. Dulins Dodgers-Wright was able to end the incredible Ohio Elite run with a 9-0 win on Thursday night. The Dodgers put up two runs in the second inning and five in the fourth to pull ahead for good.

Though their time at the 2018 14u WWBA National Championship is over, expect great things in the future from a talented and hungry Ohio Elite Team.
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