Pitching, Louisville commit lead the way for Badin baseball in latest tournament run
HAMILTON, Ohio – The Badin High School baseball team has a long history of success.
The Rams have been to the Ohio High School Athletic Association state semifinals 13 times, nine of them since their last of two state championships in 1996.
A senior-led group isn’t thinking about state championships yet, just making the most of their final days together as a team, day by day, now that the postseason has begun and each game can mean the end of the run.
“We really don't think about it,” said Badin senior Lucas Moore after Badin’s sectional tournament opener Thursday. “I'm just happy that we get to come back here and practice tomorrow. We got a game on Tuesday and that's what I’m looking forward to: Playing every game like it's our last game.”
How Badin baseball has done this year
Badin has forged an outstanding season, going 26-1, rolling to another Greater Catholic League-Coed championship with a 10-0 record. Badin has allowed only 38 runs in those 27 games while scoring 8.5 on offense for themselves.
Badin’s only blemish was a 4-3 loss at Fairmont April 29. Fairmont is a No. 1 seed in a Division I Dayton-area sectional.
The Rams host Reading, the No. 4 seed in the sectional and Cincinnati Hills League runner-up, in the sectional final Tuesday at Joyce Park’s Alumni Field.
Badin has reached the state semifinals the last two seasons, going 26-7 last year including a 4-3 loss to Hoban in the semifinals.
In 2021, the Rams were 27-6, losing to Bloom-Carroll in the semis, 4-0.
While it’s natural to want to avenge those losses, the Rams are taking it one day at a time.
“They need to stay focused on the present moment and whenever that present moment is,” said Brion Treadway, who is in his 12th season as head coach. “If we're playing a game, then they need to be focused on having competitive at-bats or being competitive on the mound. If we're having practice, they need to have the best practice they've ever had in their life. And that's kind of where we live is in the present moment. We don't focus on what's happened in the past, good or bad.”
Pitching leads the way for the Rams
The Rams have thrived with a veteran pitching staff. Senior Justin Hoevel is 7-0 with a 0.18 ERA. Junior Ian Price is 5-0, 1.65. Senior Aiden VanDeHatert is 5-0, 0.00 and senior Nik Copenhaver 4-0, 0.55.
“They have attacked the strike zone all year,” Treadway said. “They know what it takes to earn their time on the mound. They got to be able to come in at least two pitches for a strike. Nobody comes out here to watch walks or hit-by-pitches or wild pitches. We want guys that want to compete on the mound and this group of guys dies that.”
VanDeHatert, who pitched two innings against Mount Healthy in the sectional semifinal win, said the staff has a lot of camaraderie and helps each other.
“All the time,” he said. “Especially most of the seniors since we've been with each other. We’ll push each other to the max. We try to better each other, talk trash to each other. It gives us more of an edge to go out there and throw a great game. The defense is making plays behind us, which makes it easier on us.”
Louisville commit Lucas Moore leads the offense
The Rams have a balanced offense, led by leadoff hitter Lucas Moore. He leads the team and the GCL-Coed with a .486 batting average and has scored 38 runs and stole 20 bases.
Senior Brycen Fox is hitting .439 and has scored 29 runs with 15 steals. Senior Rodney Rachel, who Moore and Treadway touted as a key team leader, hits .415 with 25 runs scored, 16 steals and 21 RBIs. Standout freshman Chandler Taylor is hitting .394 with a team-high 30 RBIs and 24 runs scored.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that if we're seeing a dude on the mound that we can scratch across two or three runs, and I know that our pitcher is going to go out and have our back, not let anyone cross the plate,” Moore said.
Moore is a University of Louisville commit who will join the national power Cardinals next season.
“I have a good relationship with Coach Snyder over at Louisville,” he said. “I love the way that they play the game; it fits my mold. They play fast. They run the bases well and they all swing it. They get a lot of dudes drafted every year and that’s a big goal of mine. The coaching staff just wins and I love being part of programs like that.”
Moore is part of a veteran senior group.
“He is a three-year starter for us,” Treadway said. “He’s been incredible for us in his three years here and I absolutely love the kid as a person. He's a leader of our team along with Rodney. Lucas is the table setter. He's the best leadoff hitter in the area and he’s the engine that keeps this thing going.”
Moore is looking forward to the next practice and the next game.
“I'm really proud of my guys and what they've done this year,” he said. “A lot of young guys have really stepped in spots that we really needed going into this year.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: OHSAA: Pitching, Louisville commit lead the way for Badin baseball
