WABASH – The fifth-ranked Cass Kings scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, got a gem of a pitching performance from Reece Rodabaugh, and proved to be the royalty of Class 2A Sectional 37 at Wabash High School’s Chris Rood Field.
In a 5-0 win over the Manchester Squires Monday, Rodabaugh gave up just two hits and two walks in seven innings of work while striking out eight.
Hayes Sturtsman went the distance on the mound for the Squires, giving up five runs, eight hits and a walk while striking out three Cass batters.
Cass improved to 21-3 with the win and advanced to Saturday’s Wabash Regional, where it will play top-ranked Lafayette Central Catholic (25-4).
Alexandria-Monroe (24-9) and Lapel (19-11) will square off in Saturday’s other regional semifinal.
Manchester, looking for its second sectional title in three years and 10th overall, finished the season with a 13-11 record.
The Squires beat Rochester 2-1 on Saturday to get to the sectional final.
“I’m real proud of our kids and the effort they gave all season,” said Manchester coach Jack Rupley. Our seniors – Trey McNall, Brayden Lassiter, Jeremiah Airgood and Hayes Sturtsman – are really good kids. We’ll miss them.”
Leadoff hitter Grant Strobel and No. 8 batter Kyle Shepherd each hit a single for Manchester.
Cass’ big first inning started when Caden Zeck led off with a triple.
No. 2 batter Easton Good then reached on an error, Jaret Humphrey doubled, and Joey Humphrey and Casey Crozier singled.
After scoring three runs in the first inning, the Kings added an insurance run in the fourth inning, as well as the sixth.
Manchester committed three errors in the field, while Cass finished the game without an error.
The Kings’ eight hits came from seven different players.
Joey Humphrey, the team’s catcher and cleanup hitter, was the only Cass player with multiple hits.
CASS 5, MANCHESTER 0
M 000 000 0 – 0
C 300 101 X – 5
Manchester – Hayes Sturtsman (L, 6IP, 8H, 5R, 1BB, 3K)
