Chesapeake Baseball Wins 3A East Over River Hill, 5-0

The Chesapeake baseball team is back in the state tournament.

Another strong pitching performance by junior Joe Seidler, some timely hitting and strong defense were the winning formula for the Cougars, who defeated visiting River Hill High School, 5-0, on Friday afternoon in the 3A East region final.

“We know our pitching staff is good and our defense is good. That was evident today on both sides. We did it the way we like to do it: score a couple runs, play great defense and pitch,” Chesapeake coach Ken King said.

That formula is effective once again for the Cougars, who will play in the state tournament for the third time in four years after winning the title in 2014 and making the final last season.

On Friday, both teams struggled to get their bats going through the first three innings of the game, totaling a combined three hits.

A second look at the opponent’s starter was needed for Chesapeake, who broke the game’s deadlock in the bottom of the fourth inning.

“We realize that this is a tough game,” said King. “We took a lot of balls that were going low. We were swinging at some low balls, so we realized that ball is going to be low. We’re going to let it go, wait for it to come up a little bit and that’s what we got a couple good hits on.”

Colton Spangler drew a walk, and Blake Rebstock singled to set the stage for catcher Tommy McNamara, who lined a double into left centerfield, scoring Spangler. Rebstock would later trot home after Bobby Quesenberry walked with the bases loaded.

“We’ve been hitting all year,” McNamara said. “We just came in here and hit like we usually do.”

The visiting Hawks from Clarkville created some pressure for Seidler and company in the top of the fifth after a walk and fielding error put two runners on base. Fortunately, Seidler forced an inning-ending pop up out of the next batter to escape the pressure.

A game that began with the sun beating down on the diamond was forced to stop in the bottom of the sixth inning as thunderstorms passed over Pasadena.

After a 30-minute delay, Chesapeake’s Dillon Oxyer drilled a based-loaded double to nearly the same left centerfield spot as McNamara did back in the fourth inning. Oxyer’s hit cleared the bases and pushed the Cougars’ lead to 5-0.

“My approach going into there was taking one,” Oxyer said, who faced a similar bases-loaded, two-out situation previously in the game. “He left one up a little bit. I just put a good swing on it.”

The game would be delayed once more for thunderstorms before Seidler and the Cougars could take the field again in an attempt to finish the game.

With two runners on against Chesapeake, Seidler fielded a bouncing ball back to the mound and spun around to start a 1-6-3, game-ending double play.

Seidler struck out four and allowed just three hits in getting the victory.

“If I hit my spots, there will be a lot of groundballs to the second baseman and shortstop. They’re a good two,” said Seidler of second baseman Ryan Potter and Oxyer, the shortstop.

Said King, “Last year we were super excited about this game and this year we realized that it’s a step and we want a chance to get back to that big game. The next game is a step.”

Chesapeake will travel to Joe Cannon Stadium on Tuesday, May 23, for a state semifinal game against North champion C. Milton Wright. The Cougars made to the state finals last year, but ultimately came up short against Huntingtown High School.

“We’ve got another game to win,” King said.