The Rams trailed 3-2 heading into the fifth inning and unraveled as Moeller reeled off nine runs to run-rule Badin 12-2 in a showcase game before a big crowd at Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds.
“I am just shocked right now, ” Treadway said. “I really don’t know what to say. It is surreal to be in a 3-2 game and give up a 9-spot.”
Moeller sent 15 batters to the plate in the fifth, using six walks and three hits off three different Badin pitchers to blow the game open.
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The big inning came after Badin had fought back from 3-0 deficit to cut the lead to 3-2 in the third.
“It was really disheartening to start the way we did,” Treadway said. “We fought back, but then we give up a 9-spot. Our pitching wasn’t good, and we didn’t make plays behind our pitching. We either walked them or didn’t make a play.”
Rams starter Will Sackenheim struggled early, walking three of the first five batters as Moeller jumped out 3-0 in the top of the first. Sackenheim was pulled after walking in a run and the Crusaders’ Hunter Hughes (three RBIs) knocked in a pair off reliever Andrew Roell with a double in the gap.
Roell and fellow relievers Sam Mathews and Jarred Berger each pitched scoreless innings, but the Rams fell apart in the fifth with freshman Spencer Giesting on the mound.
After a walk and single, the Rams thought they had an out on a double steal. but the call was safe. Treadway’s appeal fell on deaf ears and Taylor Hopkins followed with a slow roller that Badin was unable to net an out on, loading the bases. Sebastian Fabik then hit a slow roller to third but the throw home was dropped, enabling a run to score. Cameron Swanger then cleared the bases with a triple almost to the wall in left field.
Badin then walked the bases full again, giving up another run on a hit batter and a two-run single by Austin Beeching. The Rams walked in another run and yielded a sacrifice fly.
“Our pitching was not good tonight, but it has been so far this season,” Treadway said. “We have been waiting for some of the younger guys to step up and make plays, and they are not doing that. We will make some lineup changes after this.”
Badin was held to three hits, but scratched out two runs in the third. Moeller starter Logan Sabo walked three batters and Daunte DeCello’s single plated Mitchell Ahr after Warren Clarke scored on a wild pitch. Badin was unable to do more damage, however, as Sabo got a strikeout and the Rams were thrown out stealing second.
Sabo, who has signed to play at the University of Montevallo, went the distance for the Crusaders. The senior right-hander struck out seven, walked four and allowed three hits.
Badin sent seven pitchers to the hill, yielding six hits while walking nine.
Badin (1-4) returns to action at Edgewood on Saturday, while Moeller (5-1) travels to Grove City.
Moeller 300-09—12-6-1
Badin 002-00—2-3-0
WP — Logan Sabo (1-1); LP — Will Sackenheim (0-2). Records: B 1-4, M 5-1
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